Submental Liposuction in Virginia Beach
Extra fat around the chin and neck can give a person a double chin and undefined jawline. This section of fat, called submental fat, is a common cosmetic concern for adults. Unfortunately, it is not an area that you can easily tone with targeted workouts. Dr. Kevin Bounds, an elite plastic surgeon in Virginia Beach, can help to recontour this area by performing submental liposuction — a relatively easy surgery for patients to undergo.
What Causes a Double Chin?
- Genetics: Genetics are largely responsible for where the body stores fat. Individuals who have a trim body but still have a double chin probably have genetics to blame.
- Age: As the body gets older, its production of collagen and elastin slows, allowing skin and fat to sag lower on the face.
- Weight Gain: When the body creates more fat, it is distributed to fat cells around the body, including those around the chin.
- Posture: Having poor posture can make the neck and chin muscles become weaker prematurely.
Candidates for Submental Liposuction
The ideal candidate for submental liposuction has extra fat around their chin and neck and a strong desire to eliminate this layer. He or she should be in good health and a non-smoker to ensure that the recovery is easy. Submental liposuction produces the best results for patients who still maintain decent skin elasticity, or those who are willing to also undergo a skin tightening procedure.
Submental Liposuction Procedure Details
Double chin liposuction is an outpatient procedure usually performed with local anesthesia, meaning that the patient is conscious but sedate during the surgery. During the surgery, Dr. Bounds makes small incisions around the chin and inserts a cannula. He uses this thin tube to gently break up deposits of fat and suction out the excess fat cells. He then takes time to mold the remaining fat so that it has an attractive, natural appearance.
Submental Liposuction Recovery and Results
Chin liposuction offers an easier recovery than many other plastic surgery procedures. Discomfort is minimal, and easily managed with pain medication. Most patients need only a few days of downtime before feeling well enough to resume their normal schedules. Bruising and swelling may linger for a few weeks, however. It is a good idea to postpone strenuous activity until receiving the approval of Dr. Bounds.
Liposuction is considered permanent because the fat cells that are removed cannot return. However, patients are still encouraged to maintain a steady weight moving forward, because extra fat will be distributed to other areas of the body, altering those contours instead.
Complementary/Alternative Procedures
Dr. Bounds frequently pairs submental liposuction with facelift or neck lift. This is appropriate for patients who also have skin laxity on the lower portion of their face who can achieve nicer neck and jawline contours by tightening the skin and underlying muscles.
Patients who have excess fat in multiple areas of their body may decide to have liposuction performed in these other areas as well.
Although submental liposuction is a less invasive form of plastic surgery, patients looking to avoid surgery altogether may be interested in Kybella, an injectable treatment that has been approved by the FDA to destroy submental fat.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Bounds
To speak to an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon about submental liposuction and other fat reduction options, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Bounds at Plastic Surgery of Virginia Beach by calling (757) 496-7373.
