Double Chin Surgery

A double chin is common in which excess fat accumulates below the chin. A neck lift, facelift, or neck liposuction lift can help you look younger or leaner by shaping the area, eliminating the extra fat, and smoothening the skin.

1. More enhanced and well-shaped chin 
2. Gives a youthful appearance.
3. Provides a smoother skin.

An additional layer of fat that accumulates beneath the chin causes a double chin. While weight gain isn't necessarily the cause of a double chin, it does play a role in its development. In addition, due to ageing, our skin loses its elasticity, resulting in the appearance of extra or loose skin, which can contribute to the impression of a double chin. Genes may also play a role in developing a double chin in some persons. For example, people with a family history of sagging skin or double chins may be more susceptible to developing one themselves.

Double chin surgery requires the removal of the extra fat and loose skin that is present around the neck area. People choose this procedure for the following reasons:

1. Getting rid of the double chin
2. To remove any saggy skin
3. To reduce wrinkles
4. To look young.

Surgery for removing double chin can be done by any of the following methods:

Types of procedures

1. Chin liposuction
2. Neck lift surgery (lower rhytidectomy)
3. Facelift surgery (rhytidectomy)

The treatment approach and selection of procedure depend on your health condition and the opinion of your treating surgeon.

What to Ask and Tell Your Doctor?

Before you undergo any procedure for double chin removal, ask your plastic surgeon the following questions:

1. How to obtain the best results?
2. What is the best surgical approach for me?
3. How will the surgery be performed?
4. How long would it take to recover, and what type of assistance will I require during that time?
5. What are the potential problems of this surgery?
6. What can I expect my face to look like in the future?
7. Do you have before-and-after images for each surgery that I may look at to see what kind of results I should expect?

Before undergoing surgery, make sure to inform your plastic surgeon about the following:

1. Your expectations from the procedure
2. Any drug allergies, medical illness, and medical treatments
3. Alcohol, smoking, and drug habits 
4. Your current and previous medications (including vitamins and herbal supplementation).

1. You will have a pre-surgical appointment with your surgeon. During this appointment, your surgeon will:
2. Ask about your medical history
3. Ask about your goals to undergo this surgery
4. Perform an examination and take pictures of your neck and face
5. Draw on the portion of the face to be operated 
6. Recommend blood tests and physical examination
7. Ask if you are currently using prescription and non-prescription medications 
8. Ask if you have smoking, drinking, or drug habits 
9. Ask to stop smoking and using certain herbal medications and painkillers 
10. Discuss all possible options to take care of your double chin
11. Discuss possible risks and complications of the surgery
12. Ask you to sign a written consent form that will permit your surgeon to perform surgery

You can expect the following:

1. If you are given local anaesthesia, the surgical area will be numbed.
2. The surgical area will be cleaned before the procedure.
3. The surgeon will 
   1. Mark the incision sites using a pen or marker 
   2. Make incisions around the ear and hairline and cut or reposition excess fat or tissue to design a look as per your goals
   3. Tighten the muscles by sewing, cutting excess skin, and removing excess fat
   4. Close the incisions using skin glue or stitches
   5. Apply bandages and chin strap to support skin healing
4. Depending on the surgery type, the surgery can last anywhere between 45 minutes to a few hours

The recovery process after hospital discharge:

1. Based on the type of surgery, the time for recovery will vary from patient-to-patient and.
2. Swelling and bruises are expected, which will go away within 10 to 14 days. It may take three months for the swelling to subside and notice the surgery results.
3. After the procedure, your neck will feel tight for a few weeks. This feeling will continue for a few months.
4. Wear compression garments for a few weeks after surgery.

Return to work and activities:

1. Strenuous activities (such as heavy lifting, carrying suitcases, children, etc.) should be avoided six weeks after surgery.
2. Most people go back to work within one- or two weeks post-surgery.

Precautions:

1. Keep your surgical site clean to prevent infection
2. Do not use ice near the surgical region
3. Avoid the sun
4. Make fewer movements with your neck (for instance, do not turn your head abruptly or pull your garments over your head)
5. Your head should be elevated above your heart

First Follow-up Appointment

If sutures were used for closing the incisions, they would need to be removed by your surgeon. Removal of the suture usually occurs between the end of week one to week three.

In case of the following symptoms, contact your surgical team right away:

1. High body temperature (more than 100.5oF or 38oC)
2. Pain in the chest
3. Dizziness
4. Extreme pain at the surgical site that doesn't go away with medicines
5. Presence of swelling, bleeding, redness, or drainage from the incision site
6. Feeling nauseous or vomiting 
7. Extreme swelling
8. Sutures coming out of before their estimated date of removal.

The following are some of the complications that can arise from double chin removal surgeries:

1. Facial asymmetry (unevenness in both sides of the face)
2. Injury to the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, or organs
3. Infections
4. Skin scarring, irregularities, or discolouration
5. Haematoma (blood accumulation outside blood vessels).

You should consult your plastic surgeon if you experience any of the above complications.