Chin Liposculpture

Getting rid of a double chin often requires more than weight loss because the "gobbler effect" is the result of a combination of weight, age, and genetics. Simply put, you can't exercise away your double chin or flabby neck. A well defined jaw line is a sign of youth and beauty and a sharp angle of the mandible is an undeniably sexy feature of the face, especially in men. Chin liposuction is the most popular procedure Dr. Bittner performs on his celebrity patients because it provides dramatic and fast results - the procedure takes less than one hour and most patients are fully healed in less than a week. Every chin liposculpture patient can drive themselves home. Chin liposuction is ideal for men or women looking to get rid of flabby or double chins and the procedure is especially popular before special occasions, like weddings or reunions.

    
Female Chin - Before & After
    
Male Chin - Before & After
These are sample pictures of Dr. Bittner's patients. Your results may vary.
More Before & After Pictures

What are the benefits of chin liposuction?

Chin liposculpture gives the face a youthful appearance by sculpting the jaw line, highlighting the angle of the mandible, shrinking the jowls, and dramatically reducing any "double chin". There is a reduction of neck flabbiness and generally an improvement in skin folds or neck wrinkles. For about half of chin liposculpture patients, the effects of the procedure are quick - patients see immediate improvement. For the other half of chin liposculpture patients, the chin area stays swollen and looks roughly the same as prior to the procedure for six weeks. After the swelling subsides, the final result is seen. There is no way to predict if you will experience any swelling or not. For all patients, the results of chin liposculpture are permanent and the procedure leaves no unsightly scars and does not require any stitches.

What is the chin liposuction procedure like?

Chin liposuction takes less than one hour and is done at our office in Beverly Hills with local anesthesia. No IV sedation is used and patients walk-in and walk-out and can drive themselves home. Patients remain awake and alert, listen to music or talk with Dr. Bittner during their procedure. Most patients report that the procedure is comfortable or virtually pain free.

The procedure is safe and simple. First, the skin is numbed with lidocaine and a tiny puncture (smaller than a spaghetti noodle) is made under the chin and under each ear. A small instrument called a canula is inserted and fat in the treated area is numbed with a saline-based solution. This numbing process is called tumescence. Once the fat is numbed, it is removed by the canula with mild suction. Dr. Bittner uses a gentle micro-liposculpture technique with instruments that are ½ the size of traditional liposuction canulas. In fact, the canula used in chin liposculpture procedures is thinner than an angel hair pasta noodle! These smaller instruments lead to more precise results and faster recovery.

Are the cheeks and jowls included with chin liposuction?

Yes. The lower cheeks and jowls are also included with chin liposuction at no additional charge. Removing the fat from the lower cheeks and jowls helps to contour the face and creates a stronger jaw line. The effect is similar to slightly sucking in the cheeks.  Treating the lower cheeks and jowls is optional, but most patients find that it gives them a more sculpted appearance as well as prevents larger jowls from forming in the future.  For patients with round faces, particularly round Asian faces, removing the fat from the lower face helps give the face a more oval shape and makes the face look less chubby. 

What can I expect after chin liposuction?

After the procedure, patients feel little to no discomfort. A compression garment similar to a headband is worm over the treated areas for 48 hours and then is worn at night while sleeping for the next week. There are no stitches and the tiny puncture closes almost immediately after the procedure. Most patients experience no bruising or swelling, though patients with very large pre-procedure chins may experience moderate bruising. All patients are able to drive themselves home and return to normal activities immediately.  Our office will send you home with all the medications you will need, including pain medication, however most chin liposculpture patients treat any discomfort with ibuprophen or Tylenol.

What are the aftercare instructions for chin liposuction?

After the procedure we will put you into a compression garment that looks like black jock strap on your head. You will look somewhat goofy, but you need to commit to wearing the compression garment for the first 48 hours to avoid bruising and swelling. If you don't wear the compression garment for the first 48 hours, you are likely to get significant bruising and swelling. Under the compression garment we will place some small pieces of gauze over your adit sites to help absorb any drainage. The gauze should be changed every 12 hours until you stop leaking, which is usually ends in about 24 hours. You can shower or shave your face any time after the first day. After the first 48 hours, you should wear the chin compression garment at night for an additional 5 nights. Unless you are one of the rare patients that experience significant bruising or swelling, after 7 days, you do not need to wear the garment at all and and you can treat your face as usual, including any sun tanning, lotions, laser hair removal, botox, or exercise.

What results can I expect from chin liposuction?

Chin liposuction results are impressive and can quickly restore a youthful and shapely appearance to the face. The procedure can remove nearly all the extra under chin fat and can help correct skin flabbiness and laxity in most patients. For patients with jowls or cheek fat deposits, Dr. Bittner removes the excess fat and patients find that when the skin retracts, they look younger and as though they have lost weight. Even patients with "gobbler" necks see a moderate and natural looking improvement and are usually very pleased with their result.

What if I want additional skin tightening on my chin and neck?

If you have loose neck skin that is very thin, loose or wrinkled or you simply want additional skin tightening, you can choose to add the SmartLipo skin tightening laser for an additional $500.

Do I need to add SmartLipo skin tightening?

The majority of patients do not need to add SmartLipo skin tightening laser because liposculpture will yield the desired cosmetic results and will help tighten skin. If you are very concerned with skin tightening or it is recommended by Dr. Bittner, you may wish to add the SmartLipo laser treatment.

Should I have only the SmartLipo laser (no liposculpture)?

No. The SmartLipo laser alone is not able to melt a significant amount of fat or tighten skin sufficiently and will not yield suitable cosmetic results.

Am I a good candidate for chin liposuction?

Chin liposuction is a very safe procedure and is performed on men and women of all ages. Anyone with an undefined jaw line or double chin can benefit from chin liposuction, even young or otherwise thin patients see dramatic improvement in their profile. Dr. Bittner's refined micro-liposculpture technique stimulates collagen formation and even those who consider their skin lax or crêpey are very pleased with their skin retraction. In fact, in the second week after the procedure, some patients feel that their skin has retracted too much and they feel a tightness when looking upward towards the sky. This tightness is normal and resolves in a few days, leaving the patient with smooth and youthful looking skin.

If you are over age 60, have had gastric bypass surgery or have lost more than 100 pounds, you may benefit from a combination of chin liposuction and skin resection to help remove redundant skin.

What if my chin doesn't heal evenly or I need more fat removed after my procedure?

We are committed to making you look as good and feel as happy about the procedure as possible and we do not charge for touch up or revision work. The need for touch up work is rare, however if your chin heals unevenly or you feel that you would benefit from additional fat being removed, please return to our office for a follow up appointment anytime 5 months or longer after your procedure. After 6 months, if Dr. Bittner or his team feel that you are sufficiently healed and the results could be improved with the removal of additional fat, there is no additional charge for revision liposculpture.

Can chin liposuction be combined with other procedures?

Yes. Chin liposuction is often performed in combination with liposuction of other areas such as the arms, abdomen or thighs.

What is the cost of chin liposuction?

Chin liposuction by itself is $2400. If you have your chin treated at the same time as other areas, the cost of the chin is $1400. There are no extra fees or costs.

Do I need a consultation for chin liposuction?

No. If you are in good health and under age 60, you can make an appointment for chin liposculpture without a consultation, however consultations are recommended if you are unfamiliar with the procedure or have any questions. If you choose to skip the consultation or you are over age 60, make sure that when you pinch your double chin, you have at least 1/2 inch between your fingers. If you have questions about whether or not you are a good candidate, please email pictures of yourself in profile to info@dralanbittner.com.

How does chin liposuction compare to a neck lift?

For most people, chin liposuction provides a dramatic result and restores a youthful jaw line and profile without exposing the patient to any significant risks. A traditional neck lift is usually performed as part of a facelift, but is also performed alone. A surgical neck lift is performed under general anesthesia, oftentimes requiring overnight observation. During a traditional neck lift, the surgeon makes incisions under the chin and behind the ears and the skin is lifted off the neck, the facial muscles are stitched together, and extra skin is removed. The incisions are closed with stitches. Recovery from a traditional neck lift is often painful, with significant bruising and swelling, and normal activities may not be resumed for up to a month. Complications include reactions to anesthesia, infection, blood loss, improper muscle tightening, and lifetime scars. The costs of a traditional neck lift are approximately $5000.

However, for individuals who have undergone gastric bypass surgery or lost more than 100 pounds, neck lifts may be required for reduction of redundant skin.

Traditional Neck Lift vs. Chin Liposculpture

  Traditional Neck Lift Chin Liposculpture
Procedure Invasive procedure performed under general anesthesia in a surgical suite or hospital. Performed in about one hour with only local skin numbing at our offices in Beverly Hills .
Pain Moderate to marked pain lasting for weeks or months. Pain managed with prescription pain medication. Minimal to no pain. Recovery managed with Tylenol or ibuprophen.
Complications Increased risk of severe complications requiring hospitalization, blood transfusion, or infection treatment. Dr. Bittner has not had a patient experience a significant complication from chin liposculpture. Every patient can drive themselves home.
Recovery Prolonged requiring up to 1 month off work or activities like exercise. Same day recovery. Enjoy all activities immediately.
Results Moderate to dramatic improvements are possible. Moderate to dramatic improvements are possible.
Costs Total cost and fees range from $4000 to $8000. $2400. No additional fees.