SUBMENTAL LIPOSUCTION

Submental liposuction is a very common procedure performed by Dr. Rowley that can provide beautiful, satisfying results.

WHY DO PATIENTS SEEK SUBMENTAL LIPOSUCTION?

Patients typically seek submental liposuction for fullness under the chin and jawline related to excess fatty tissue.

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BRIEF SURGICAL FACTS

This procedure can easily be done on those patients with a local anesthetic in the office examination room. The procedure typically takes less than 20-30 minutes with very small incisions and minimal, if any, scarring. A chin strap for compression is worn for 48 hours and then at night for a week. Most people can return to full activity within two days. Full resolution of swelling takes 4-6 weeks.

SURGICAL PROCEDURE

A local anesthesia is injected and a small cannula is used to suction out the fat. This does create a layer of scar tissue which also gives quite a bit of significant skin retraction, as well as a better contour to the chin and jawline. Pain and scarring is minimal. Most patients have a mild amount of bruising and swelling and some scar tissue that may be felt for the first 2-3 months.

DR. JANE ROWLEY’S THOUGHTS ON SUBMENTAL LIPOSUCTION

“This is actually a relatively easy procedure that gives very dramatic changes in appearance. Even though only a small amount of fatty tissue is removed, the chin contour will look much better. Often it looks like the patient has lost weight after this procedure. On someone who is even in their 30s and 40s and is starting to get some slight laxity along the skin of the neck and jawline, this can provide enough tightening that they can avoid a facelift for several years.
Recently the FDA has approved Kybella, a treatment that involves multiple injections over several office visits. I like to wait for treatments like this to be tried and true before adopting them in order to minimize risks for my patients that can result with unproven new treatments. I can get very predictable results with liposuction of the chin in just a single visit with very minimal recovery time, so this procedure provides lower risk and a better outcome, with far less time and money invested long-term.”