Having the double chin removed
Many people want to have their double chin removed because it often makes the face look unathletic and/or prematurely aged.
A double chin, also known as a fat chin or fat neck, is an accumulation of fat below the chin and can extend into the neck. In older people, it usually occurs in combination with excess skin.
In its extreme form, the double chin is colloquially known as turkey neck. It is usually associated with being overweight. However, it can occasionally be visible in slim young people. A hereditary predisposition is not uncommon.
Corrective options range from exercise and diet to liposuction and major tightening surgery, as described below:
Liposuction can be used to remove a double chin.
If you are overweight, you should diet and exercise to get rid of your double chin.
In the case of a stubborn double chin, which is usually inherited, the above-mentioned measures can usually only reduce the size. However, a residual fat pad remains.
How can the double chin be removed? In many cases, liposuction is the method of choice. As the fat pad is usually quite small, the effort for the surgeon and patient is less than with conventional liposuction.
Mild findings are often visible in patients with a receding chin. Chin augmentation with a chin implant can improve the aesthetic appearance.
What about the turkey neck as an extreme case?
In more extreme findings(turkey neck), there is a large excess of skin and usually an enormous accumulation of fat.
In these cases, liposuction is not sufficient, as neither the excess fat nor the excess skin can be corrected satisfactorily with this operation. There is no other option but to correct the double chin by means of a neck lift to remove the double chin.
This means that a zigzag-shaped incision is made, which can extend from below the chin to the lower neck. This incision can be used to address both the skin and the fat deposits.
Once sufficient tissue has been removed, it is possible to create a youthful-looking silhouette with a natural ‘kink’ in the profile. This is achieved by a muscleplasty (muscle displacement and partial muscle separation) of the platysma muscle (skin muscle of the neck).
The operation can be performed under local anesthesia with twilight sleep. However, general anesthesia is also possible.
What needs to be considered after liposuction for a double chin?
After the double chin has been corrected in the sense of a neck lift, a moderately compressive bandage is applied to prevent the formation of bruising or wound effusions. Compression products are also available, which should be worn for approximately one week.
Compression should be provided at night for at least 4 weeks. Stronger head movements should at least be reduced until the wound has healed (14 days).
The stitches can be removed after 10-14 days.
The above recommendations should also be followed after liposuction. However, compression therapy can be shortened if the findings are less pronounced. If the cannula puncture site below the chin is sutured, the suture can be removed after 5-7 days.
Decongestant measures and pain therapy should not be missing in either treatment option.
