The term “liposculpture” refers to the procedure where excess fat is surgically removed from certain areas of the human body. It is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is often used to moderately enhance or “sculpt” the appearance of the thighs, belly, arms, hips, back and any other area where excess fat has collected. In a sense, liposculpture is just another form of liposuction. The main difference between the two procedures is that less fat is typically removed during liposculpture compared to liposuction. Another difference is the fact that liposculpture is often performed using local anesthesia. The surgery requires less of a recovery time compared to liposuction which almost always requires general anesthesia and longer healing periods.  Liposculpture recovery time varies from person to person, so keep that in mind before getting your surgery.

Remove a Double Chin with Liposculpture Surgery

The chin is the most frequently targeted area for liposculpture procedures. It is the most common cosmetic surgery procedure undertaken by celebrities. That’s because chin liposculptures are considered relatively easy to perform. The procedure also is thought to offer the most noticeable benefit from a cosmetic standpoint. In a chin liposculpture procedure, fat is typically removed from the jaw line to reduce the appearance of a double chin and jowls. The procedure is also used to accentuate the jaw line.

The results of the surgery can vary by individual, but in most cases patients can expect to see a noticeable improvement in skin flabbiness and laxity in the chin area once post-operative swelling subsides. If performed well, chin liposculpture can result in a more youthful appearance especially when it is combined with liposculptures of other areas such as the thighs, abdomen and back. Chin liposculptures are usually performed on an outpatient basis using a local anesthetic. Individuals who undergo the surgery typically can resume work and other normal activities almost immediately and it takes them less than a week to heal completely.

How Chin Liposculpture Works

The actual surgical procedure itself is relatively painless and takes about an hour or so to accomplish at most. Patients are given a mild local anesthetic to numb the area. The cosmetic surgeon then uses a special marker pen to outline the areas under the chin that need to be targeted for the treatment. Tiny incisions or puncture holes are made along the marked lines. The fat that is to be extracted is broken up or melted using either a special solution, laser light, mild heating or via ultra-sound techniques.

With laser-assisted liposculpture, or lipolysis as it is called, a low-intensity laser beam is passed through the fat to break it up and make it ready for extraction. With ultra-sonic liposculpture meanwhile, sound-waves are passed through the fat to break it up. The fat is then suctioned away from the target areas using an ultra-thin tube called a Cannula which is inserted into the puncture wounds. In some cases, patients with excessive jowls or extremely lax skin may need to undergo an additional laser-assisted skin-tightening procedure as part of their liposculpture.

Will My Chin Be Permanently Fixed?

Generally the fat that is extracted from the chin area will not return except in cases of excessive weight gain. Those who succeed in maintaining a relatively stable weight can expect to see long-lasting results from a chin liposculpture procedure. Chin liposculpture procedures are sometimes referred to as tumescent liposuction, which basically is a term used to describe liposuction involving only the use of a local anesthetic. The procedure is considered to be substantially safer compared to other forms of liposuction involving the use of a general anesthetic.

Though recovery from a chin liposculpture is relatively painless, patients will need to follow some basic instructions to ensure faster healing. Patients, for instance, will often be required to wear compression bandages under their chin to absorb any fluids that may leak from the puncture wounds. Though the chin-strap bandage is relatively unsightly, doctors recommend that patients keep them on for at least 48-hours after their procedure to minimize post-surgical infections and bruising.

Following Chin Liposculpture Surgery

It is also not uncommon for patients to experience swelling following surgery. The swelling may sometimes last for up to one week, though in most instances it goes away in about 24-hours. It’s hard to tell how effective the procedure is, until after all the swelling subsides. Doctors also ask patients not to take any showers or to wet the area for 24 to 48-hours and to avoid too much exertion for at least one week after surgery. In very rare instances, complications, such as scarring and bruising can result from liposculpture.

There really are very few restrictions on who exactly can undergo a chin liposculpture. Because any liposculpture is a surgical procedure, doctors generally recommend that patients be in relatively good health before they undergo the procedure. Patients who smoke may also be advised to curtail the habit in the days leading to and following a liposculpture, because smoking can slow down post-surgical recovery times.

Who Can Get Chin Liposculpture?

Apart from this, there really are no other caveats associated with liposculpture, which means the procedure is available to almost anyone regardless of age, gender, or weight. Chin liposculptures are relatively inexpensive and most generally cost between $1,000 to $2,000 depending on the amount of fat that is to be removed. Many insurance carriers do not cover the procedure; patients are well advised to verify coverage before proceeding with the surgery.

As with any surgery, chin liposculptures yield varying benefits, so it is important to set the right expectations when choosing to undertake the procedure. Most procedures will result in an improved appearance, but the improvements may not always be as dramatic or as significant as one might have expected. At best, lipsoculpture can remove about 80% of the excess fat under the chin, but not all of it. Depending on their age and skin condition, some patients may experience an acceptable amount of hanging skin after the procedure.

Talk To A Licensed Plastic Surgeon for More Information

In other cases, the best results may only be obtained after two or more procedures. It really all depends on personal factors; you should talk to a licensed plastic surgeon or specialist for more information. Those considering chin liposculpture also need to keep in mind the fact that cosmetic appearance is affected by a variety of factors. An individual’s profile is affected not just by the shape of the chin but also by factors such as the neck, nose, jawbone, and skin tone. Sometimes, to obtain the maximum benefits from liposculpture, a patient might have to address some of these other areas of the face as well.