Submental Lipectomy

Submental lipectomy is a method to remove unwanted fat deposits from under the chin (Credit: Razee81)

Fat deposits under the chin can make the face look heavy. Submental lipectomy is a method to remove unwanted fat deposits from under the chin. You can opt for this method if you have muscle laxity or sagging skin folds under the chin.

Submental lipectomy is carried out under general or local anesthesia. The procedure involves making an incision under the chin and suctioning out the fat. During submental lipectomy muscles are also tightened and a small amount of skin may also be removed.

After the surgery, the patient goes home with the chin and neck wrapped in dressings or in an elastic neck sling. There is some swelling and bruising, which disappears in a couple of weeks. The final result of submental lipectomy is evident between 1-3 months.

You may want to go ahead with a face-lift, liposuction or chin augmentation to enhance the results of submental lipectomy. The most common side effect of this procedure carried out without face lifting, is residual skin fullness at the lateral extent of the incision- also called ‘dog ears’.