What does chin liposuction mean?
Chin liposuction is a surgical procedure, in which fat is removed with a suction device from the desired body part through small, round cuts. Areas for liposuction can be, for example, the stomach, thighs, sides, limbs, chin, or multiple areas together.
Liposuction is not a weight loss method, and it is not suitable for those who solely want to lose weight.
If there is much excess skin or significant weight loss in the past, the right treatment is most often a face and neck lift to tighten the skin back.
Chin Liposuction – The Procedure
Chin liposuction is usually done under local anesthesia with relaxing medication. If the surgery is done under general anesthesia, you must not eat or drink for six hours before the surgery.
The surgeon takes photographs and makes the necessary plans on the skin with a marker before the surgery while the client is in an upright position. The goal is always to achieve the most natural and symmetrical result possible.
The Procedure
The procedure usually takes just under an hour. It can almost always be done as day surgery, meaning that you can go home the same day. However, when leaving after the surgery, you must have someone to accompany you and stay with you for the first night after general anesthesia.
In liposuction, three small cuts, around 5 mm, are made in the desired skin areas. Through these cuts, a mixture of salt solution, adrenaline, and local anesthesia is injected into the adipose tissue. This numbs the suction area and causes the blood vessels to contract, minimizing bruising.
After this, a thin liposuction cannula is inserted into the adipose tissue, and it carefully sucks out a suitable amount of excess fat. Suction allows the amount of fat removed to be controlled, shaping the contours of the area.
In the procedure, radiofrequency energy is usually also directed under the skin. Its purpose is to tighten the skin and help it recover as quickly as possible.
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Compression Garment
After the procedure, a compression garment, a neck collar made of compression stocking fabric, is placed on the liposuction area. The purpose of the compression garment is to squeeze the tissue, minimizing swelling and promoting tissue recovery. Cold treatment is also applied.
The compression garment is typically recommended to be worn for 2–4 weeks, at least in the evenings and at night.
Recovering from Chin Liposuction
There is no severe pain after the procedure. However, painkillers may be needed during the first few days after surgery.
The most uncomfortable thing is that the entire liposuctioned skin area is tender and partially numb for approximately 1–2 weeks. In addition, the area typically has bothersome swelling for 7–10 days.
The liposuction areas may be painful for several weeks after the procedure, depending on their location, and small uneven areas in the adipose tissue of the treated area are possible. However, these uneven areas typically disappear over time. The complete recovery, smoothing, and softening of the subcutaneous tissue in the suction area takes 6–12 months altogether.
During healing, the area under the chin may feel tight until the scar has softened under the skin. This may take approximately 6 months.
The length of recovery varies individually, but it is typically approximately 1–2 weeks. Exercise can be started gradually according to how you feel, approximately one week after surgery.
Dissolving stitches are mainly used to close the wounds, and they do not need to be removed.
Possible Complications of Chin Liposuction
Surgical procedures always involve risks. In liposuction, the greatest risks of complications are related to tissue blood circulation and possible infections.
After liposuction, the treated area typically has bruising and swelling for approximately 1–2 weeks.
Although the surgery is performed under sterile conditions, bacteria on the skin can pass through the surgical wound and cause infection in the tissue even after surgery. Because the face and neck area has excellent blood circulation, the risk of infection is fortunately very low.
You will receive more information about possible complications during the surgical evaluation appointment.
