Introduction to Chin/Neck Liposuction
Chin and neck liposuction is a refined contouring procedure that removes excess fat to define the jawline and create a smoother, more sculpted profile. Dr. Ho uses advanced techniques to achieve natural, balanced results that enhance your facial harmony and restore a youthful, confident appearance.
What is Neck Liposuction?
Chin or neck liposuction can also be referred to as submental liposuction. Submental liposuction is the most medical term for the surgical procedure, with submental referring to the area of the anterior and upper neck that is immediately below the chin. The submental region can also be defined as the space between the chin and neck. Although liposuction is not typically performed in the chin itself, it can span beyond the submental area posteriorly along the jawline including the jowls and inferiorly in the neck to optimize chin, jawline, and neck contour results.
This surgery addresses bulky, superficial fat that’s typically local in the area underneath the chin or in the upper neck.
Educational videos
The Submental Chin/Neck Liposuction Procedure
Learn more about the procedure and how it can subtly enhance your facial harmony with insights from Dr. Tina Ho.
Introducinig Dr. Tina Ho
Dr. Ho is a highly respected female surgeon in the medical community, noted for her charitable work, scientific contributions, and impressive leadership. She is a proud member and is board-certified by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. As a female double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Ho is both approachable and relatable to her patients and strives to empower them with beautiful, natural results. Her philosophy is to provide the highest standard of individualized care in greater Philadelphia for a broad spectrum of facial rejuvenation and reconstructive procedures.
What Are Common Issues That Can Be Addressed With Submental Chin/Neck Liposuction?
Common issues that can be improved or corrected by an neck liposuction include but are not limited to:
Double Chin
Ill-defined jawline
Lack of neck contour
Neck Fat
Dr. Ho is experienced in improving all of these issues with blepharoplasty surgery and will discuss with each patient her customized approach for each type of issue.
Why Choose Dr. Tina Ho?
Dr. Tina Ho stands out among other surgeons in Philadelphia and Wayne as a female, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with dedicated training in facial rejuvenation surgery. Unlike general plastic surgeons, Dr. Ho specializes exclusively in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures of the face and neck.
She understands that a facial rejuvenation, whether surgical or non-surgical, is both an art and a science — a highly detailed and complex procedure that requires technical precision and an artistic eye to achieve natural, harmonious results. Dr. Ho stays at the forefront of modern products and techniques to deliver the most refined and lasting outcomes for her patients.
From the initial consultation to every follow-up visit, Dr. Ho maintains an unwavering commitment to each patient. She takes the time to listen, plan, and tailor every step of the rejuvenation process to align with the patient’s unique anatomy for realistic aesthetic goals and ensure each person feels confident, supported, and deeply satisfied with their results. Her approach focuses on preserving the patient’s natural appearance while maximizing safety and minimizing recovery time.
Dr. Ho received advanced fellowship training under world-renowned facial plastic surgeons Dr. Dean Toriumi and Dr. Steven Dayan. Dr. Ho continually refines her surgical knowledge and techniques to offer the best outcomes for her patients by regularly attending national and international aesthetic meetings and learning from leading plastic surgeons across the country in the operating room setting. Her expertise extends across all aspects of surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation.
Dr. Ho is recognized regionally and beyond as one of Philadelphia and the Maine Line’s most trusted female facial plastic surgeons, with patients traveling from throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York to seek her expertise.
Am I an Ideal Candidate?
The ideal candidate for neck and chin liposuction tends to only have bulky, superficial fat just below the skin and underneath the chin or in the upper neck. Some chin liposuction candidates maybe be seeking to remove their double chin, while others are hoping to refine their jawline. Candidates for this procedure are also interested in more pronounced and permanent results compared to some non-surgical options that be more subtle and temporary.
If the patient has skin laxity or they have bulk in the deeper structures in the neck like the platysma or digastric region of the neck, those are likely candidates for a neck lift instead. If they prefer to do liposuction anyway, it could result in a more conservative result, or potentially a concerning result like a Turkey Neck appearance.
Kybella is an alternative to liposuction, but this is more of a procedure for patients who prefer a one-and-done approach to achieving results.
Submental Liposuction Recovery
The patient does need to ice when they can in the first 48 hours. This is when the majority of the bruising and swelling kicks into place. Patients may benefit from a soft diet in the first week because of soreness around the mouth. Limiting anything that causes the mouth to open wide during the first few days is preferred.
Dr. Ho typically instructs patients to avoid exercise such as heavy lifting for two weeks and to keep their head elevated for the first week as well.
At the first visit, which is usually one week out, Dr. Ho will remove the stitches and take the first post-operative photos. A lot of the swelling and bruising resolves within the first couple of weeks for the average patient.
As with any other cosmetic procedure, submental liposuction may display some side effects after the surgery. Some of the side effects are as follows:
Swelling and Bruises
Infection and Temporary Numbness
Loose Skin
Bleeding
Discomfort
Breathing Problem
Decreased Skin Sensitivity
Scarring
After a month, the swelling from the surgery should be gone. It is during this time when patients should be recovered enough to go to big social events, like a wedding or so.
The final results should be seen around three to six months after surgery.
Combining a Neck Lift with Other Procedures
So liposuction is a component of neck lift. If there are patients who have superficial fat in addition to lax skin, a neck lift would include liposuction in that process.
If the patient could benefit from enhancing the profile with more chin projection, then a chin augmentation with an implant is a great adjunct procedure to combine with chin liposuction.
Some patients are looking to enhance their overall profile and have additional concerns about their nasal appearance. In those cases, a rhinoplasty can be done at the same time
Enhance Your Recovery with Elixir MD
The Elixir MD™ is an innovative recovery tool that offers various treatment programs using different LED light wavelengths to achieve specific pre and post-surgical goals. These programs are supported by advanced artificial intelligence temperature controls and adjustable settings to address a range of concerns and goals. This non-invasive therapy is safe, painless, and can reduce infections after surgery while also enhancing recovery and minimizing scarring after rhinoplasty surgery.
Benefits of Elixir MD
Enhanced post-operative recovery after rhinoplasty. Using LED light, Elixir MD™ stimulates the skin to accelerate wound healing and minimize scarring post-surgery.
Improved healing and cellular repair. Specific wavelengths stimulate collagen and elastin production, which are essential for healing after surgery.
Easier rhinoplasty recovery. Reduces inflammation responsible for swelling and pain after surgery.
Improved lymphatic drainage and blood flow. Enhances the delivery of nutrients and removal of waste for optimal healing.
Elixir MD Treatment Programs for Rhinoplasty
Elixir Detox
This pre-operative therapy uses blue light to reduce the number of bacteria, oils, and toxins on the skin, reducing surgical complications such as infection.
Elixir Cellular Repair
Post-rhinoplasty, Cellular Repair uses yellow light to improve circulation, reducing bruising and swelling, accelerating healing, and shortening recovery.
Elixir NeoXcell
The NeoXcell™ treatment program combines the benefits of Elixir Cellular and Thermal to boost healing and balance melanin production for a more even skin tone.
Elixir RoXium
RoXium™ uses yellow and blue light to reduce swelling/bruising, prevent skin oxidation, decrease sebum, minimize pores, and clear the complexion.
What is the Cost of Chin/Neck Liposuction?
The cost for liposuction of the chin or neck region varies based on each patient’s individual needs. However, pricing starts at $5,000-$8,000 including facility and anesthesia fees. It’s also good to know CareCredit financing options are available.
Contact our Philadelphia location for more pricing details.
Before and After Videos
Dr. Tina Ho’s Chin/Neck Liposuction Results
This lovely female patient in her mid 20s came to me for consultation, interested in surgical options for jawline contouring. We pursued chin liposuction under local anesthesia in the office setting. Chin liposuction reduces superficial fat below the skin of the lower face and neck, and when performed on the ideal patient, creates a more defined, youthful, and elongated jawline and neckline. The after photos illustrate her surgical outcome six months later. We are so thrilled with her beautiful, natural results.
This lovely female patient in her late 20s pursued buccal fat removal and chin liposuction for facial and jawline contouring. Surgical results vary by patient and certain results may appear more nuanced or more dramatic compared to others within the same patient. This patient’s profile demonstrates a dramatic improvement from the chin liposuction, whereas the buccal fat removal produced a more subtle outcome. We are thrilled with her overall beautiful, natural results.
This kind 45 year-old female patient presented originally for chin liposuction consultation, bothered by the fullness under her chin. I instead recommended a definitive deep plane facelift and neck lift for the best facial and neck rejuvenation and contouring results. She already looks amazing at three months out in these before/after photos. Final outcome is seen at six to twelve months after surgery. We are so thrilled with her results.
This lovely patient was concerned by the fullness of her upper neck and lack of jawline definition as well as her nasal hump. She originally saw me for consultation for chin liposuction but was ultimately better suited for mini neck lift surgery. Based on her genetics and face/neck anatomy, this patient not only required removal of superficial fat below her chin but more importantly deeper sculpting including resuspension of her neck muscles (platysmaplasty) and deeper fat and gland removal below the muscle layer. She also desired a conservative approach to rhinoplasty to gently shave down her nasal hump and rotate her tip. Six months later, this patient is beaming with the dramatically rejuvenated jawline contour and neck she never had as well as a refined nose that is in harmony with her facial features. Submental liposuction alone would have produced very conservative results.
As Seen In
Dr. Tina Ho in the Press
Dr. Tina Ho has been featured in leading media publications that highlight her expertise in facial plastic surgery.
Related Procedures
Explore additional procedures that complement a your procedure for balanced, natural-looking rejuvenation.
As a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Ho specializes exclusively in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures of the head and neck region. Dr. Ho is regionally known for her signature procedures in facial contouring and jawline contouring and draws patients from all over Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York to Philadelphia and Wayne for chin and neck liposuction. She devotes ample time and effort to establish realistic goals and expectations with every patient. She also routinely performs non-surgical procedures for minimizing submental fat and improving jawline definition and will review with each patient which treatment options will achieve the most ideal results. Dr. Ho believes that chin/neck liposuction is the most definitive treatment option for removing excess fat under the chin and along the upper neck. Her treatment philosophy is centered on producing results that are natural yet still dramatic enough and restore facial harmony.
Each chin/neck liposuction procedure is different and is catered to the individual patient. Therefore, the types of incisions utilized and the extent of swelling, bruising, and tenderness that occur after surgery will vary by patient. Dr. Ho usually creates well-hidden incisions below the chin and by the earlobes. A compression dressing is placed around the head and neck region at the conclusion of surgery to remedy the degree of post-operative swelling during recovery as well as optimize the extent of neck skin contraction with healing. This dressing needs to be worn during the first two weeks following surgery.
Every chin or neck liposuction patient will follow up with Dr. Ho one week after surgery for suture removal. Each patient will then follow-up again at weeks to months out at regular intervals for re-evaluation. Patients should expect immediate bruising and swelling after surgery that can be managed well with icing, head elevation, and compression dressing adherence with the majority resolving by one month out from surgery. Residual swelling following this period will continue to improve over the next several months to one year. Post-operative pain is usually managed well with prescribed pain medication. Improvement in the appearance of the chin and upper neck areas is typically observed after most of the bruising and swelling has subsided, with final results requiring six months or longer to take full effect. Dr. Ho seeks regular follow-up with her patients to ensure that every patient heals well and is satisfied with their surgical outcome.
The ideal candidate for a chin or neck liposuction is a healthy non-smoker patient who has no remarkable medical or surgical history, does not take blood-thinning medications, and demonstrates focal excess fat below the chin and along the upper neck that can be addressed with surgery, normal submandibular gland and hyoid position, and good skin elasticity. Patients with moderate to significant skin and soft tissue laxity in the lower face and neck areas will benefit from an additional facelift and/or chin/neck liposuction as well as skin resurfacing. Patients lacking strong bony features in their chin and jaw may benefit from other adjunct procedures such as chin augmentation for enhanced surgical results. The Dedo classification of the aging neck helps guide the plastic surgeon in identifying ideal surgical candidates as well as the specific anatomic components of the lower face and neck of the individual patient that need to be addressed with surgery. Class VI patients have an abnormal hyoid position and will likely have suboptimal results with submental liposuction as well as facelift surgery alone. Dr. Ho utilizes the Dedo classification principles as well as her aesthetic experience and intuition to restore natural, freshly rejuvenated jawline and neck contours in her patients.
The Dedo classification helps guide the plastic surgeon in determining ideal candidates for lower face and neck surgery including submental liposuction, facelift, and chin/neck liposuction and what anatomic issues need to be addressed with surgery. Class I patients possess good skin and muscle tone with little fat and an ideal cervicomental angle. Class II, III, IV, and V patients demonstrate skin laxity, focal fat accumulation, platysmal banding, and weak chin, retrospectively. Class VI patients have an abnormal hyoid position and will likely have suboptimal results with surgery.
It is common for other surgical procedures to be performed at the same time as chin or neck liposuction, depending on the patient’s anatomic issues and surgical goals. In the younger patient, they may also benefit from additional chin augmentation and skin resurfacing. For the older patient, possible adjunct procedures include but are not limited to the following: facelift, platysma plication, chin augmentation, and skin resurfacing. Dr. Ho often recommends combining chin liposuction with a series of skin resurfacing treatments that will tighten and contract the neck skin and ultimately optimize the surgical outcome. Dr. Ho is experienced in a wide range of facial rejuvenation procedures and will thoroughly evaluate each chin/neck liposuction candidate and discuss with them whether they would benefit from additional procedures at the time of their neck plastic surgery.
Furthermore, It is common for additional non-surgical procedures to be performed after chin or neck liposuction for enhanced jawline contouring, depending on the patient’s anatomic issues and rejuvenation goals. They include but are not limited to the following: filler treatment for jawline and chin augmentation as well as cheek augmentation, neurotoxin masseter injection, and skin resurfacing via radiofrequency, laser, and microneedling modalities. When performing jawline contouring, Dr. Ho also takes into account the anatomy and treatment of the midface region (cheeks and eye areas) to create rejuvenated faces that are aesthetically beautiful and balanced. Dr. Ho is experienced in a wide range of aging face procedures and will thoroughly evaluate each chin/neck liposuction candidate and discuss with them whether they would benefit from additional non-surgical procedures after surgery. To learn more about non-surgical treatment options for jawline contouring, click here.
In an ideal female face, the lower third of the face including the jawline is narrower compared to the upper two thirds and follows the optimal inverted pyramid shape. In an ideal male face, the lower third of the face including the jawline demonstrates a more square appearance.
Dr. Ho believes that while every face is unique, the ideal jawline possesses a youthful, sharp definition and is harmonious with the rest of the face. In an ideal female face, the lower third of the face including the jawline is more narrow and tapered compared to the upper two thirds and contributes to the optimal inverted pyramid shape. In an ideal male face, the lower third of the face including the jawline follows a more square appearance. Furthermore, the ideal jawline demonstrates adequate chin projection as well. The most anterior point of an ideal chin should be at or approach a vertical line referred to as the Zero Meridian of Gonzalez-Ulloa that runs through the nasion (root of the nose) and is perpendicular to the Frankfort horizontal line, which runs through the inferior orbital rim and superior limit of the ear canal.
On profile view, the most anterior point of an ideal chin should be at or approach a vertical line (Zero Meridian of Gonzalez-Ulloa) that runs through the root of the nose and is perpendicular to a horizontal line that runs through the inferior orbital rim and superior limit of the ear canal (Frankfort horizontal line).
Submental liposuction is the definitive treatment option for removing excess fat below the chin and along the upper neck. In contrast to non-surgical neck contouring options such as Kybella® and Coolsculpting®, a chin/neck yields more drastic results and often achieves results with one single treatment. Therefore, this procedure may be considered advantageous from a cost benefit analysis. Kybella® and Coolsculpting® are appealing non-surgical treatment options as they are less invasive and involve less risks and downtime compared to surgery. Dr. Ho is experienced in both chin/neck surgery and Kybella® injections and will discuss with each patient the best treatment options that meet their aesthetic concerns and goals.
Kybella® is an FDA-approved injection procedure indicated for the reduction of moderate to severe submental fat (the area of fat below the chin). This injection can be performed alone or may be utilized as an adjunct procedure in jawline contouring that contributes to creating a more defined jawline on profile view. A series of three treatments or more are typically required before achieving noticeable results. Kybella® can be considered to have a permanent effect, as the active ingredient deoxycholic acid is a bile acid that breaks down and destroys fat cells. Dr. Ho is experienced in Kybella® injections and will discuss with each patient the best treatment options that meet their aesthetic concerns and goals. To find out more about the neck lift in Philadelphia and your many neck contouring options, contact our office today. During your consultation, you can discuss the price, recovery, preparation, and the details of the procedure.
