The term "double chin" is a misnomer. A double chin is actually a neck problem, not a chin issue. It is due to excess fat in the area of the neck that is immediately below the chin, hence creating the appearance of an extra chin or double chin.

When this problem occurs, it does so to varying degrees, with the worst cases (as noted) looking like double chins. In less severe cases, the under-side of the chin may just look plump without being a double chin. Regardless of severity, extra neck fat is the cause. Because fat is the cause, liposuction is the most sought-after treatment for it.

In order to understand whether neck lipo is for you, you must first understand a few things, including how loose neck skin plays an important role.

Planning your treatment

The consultation

As odd as it may seem, not all neck fat is extra. It is important, in fact critical, to have a certain amount of neck fat to provide a cushion between your skin and neck muscles. Without it, your neck would look unnatural. However, extra neck fat is considered by most to be undesirable. Extra neck fat may be hereditary, and if so is usually evident in early adulthood. It may also be acquired, in which case, it is progressive with weight gain. There are also those who have extra neck fat in response to aging, even in the absence of weight gain. In these cases, fat can accumulate in the neck due to a redistribution of subcutaneous fat that occurs with aging.

Regardless of its cause, extra neck fat can cause a person to look heavier as well as older. In fact, it is surprising how neck lipo can make someone with extra neck fat look significantly younger.

Candidates for Neck Lipo

Neck lipo is best suited to people who have extra neck fat and either 1) neck skin which is not loose or 2) neck skin which is loose but not hanging.

If you have neck skin which is loose and hanging, then face and neck lift is what you need.

Jaw line and Jowls

Many who have extra neck fat also suffer the problem of having no distinction between the face and neck in other words, it is hard to tell where the face stops and the neck starts. In these cases, lipo of the neck along the jaw line really helps to define this area and can be done at the same time as neck lipo.

Jowls are the pockets of fat along and above the jaw line, about halfway between the ears and the chin. Although Jowls are typically reflective of loose facial skin (and hence the need for a facelift), lipo of the jowls can sometimes be performed at the same time as neck lipo. Provided that the jowls are not associated with markedly loose or hanging skin, liposuction of the jowls can sometimes enable a person to defer a facelift for years. Again, this is something best discussed between you and your plastic surgeon.

The Surgery

Neck lipo can be performed under local and sedation as an outpatient procedure. It takes 30-60min. Your plastic surgeon will begin by injecting your neck with tumescent fluid, which is a combination of saline, local anesthetic (similar to novocain), and epinephrine, which helps constrict blood vessels, reduce bleeding, and prevent bruising. Tumescent fluid is not injected until you are temporarily asleep, so that you feel nothing. Followed by making a keyhole incision under the chin to insert the cannula and start sucking the fat. At the end of the procedure, the keyhole will be closed with fine sutures; this will leave you with virtually invisible scar under your chin

After Surgery

Following the procedure, pain is relatively little and most find that they can return to work in 1-5 days, depending more upon bruising than on discomfort. You will need to wear a tape on your neck for few days. Again, your greatest limitation with regard to return to work will likely be bruising. Some have no bruising; others may bruise for 1-2 weeks. Most fall somewhere in between with about 3-7 days of bruising. There is no simple way to predict where you will fall.

Getting you back to work and normal activities

You will need 1-2 days rest, followed by light duties for 1 week

Back to normal duties from the second week after surgery