Neck & Chin Liposuction

Everything starts with a discussion between you and your surgeon: this is the pre-operative consultation, which is critical to the success of the operation. At Kensington Medical, we believe patients should get all the information they need before deciding whether to proceed with surgery. This is why patients who are considering an operation meet with the surgeon at least twice, sometimes more. This allows patients to fully explain to the surgeon what they want to achieve with surgery, ask questions and voice any concerns they may have.

The initial consultation usually takes place in person:

• You will explain to the surgeon what your expectations are;
• The surgeon will examine you;
• You will be shown before-and-after photographs of their work;
• They will lay out treatment options.

After the initial consultation:

• The surgeon will summarise the consultation in a letter to you;
• We will send you a quotation based on the treatment plan recommended by the surgeon;
• We will also send you comprehensive information about the treatment, the risks it presents and the steps you should take before and after the operation in order to ensure a good outcome.

The second consultation can be face-to-face or via video call. Its purpose is as follows:

• You will have many more questions that you did not think to ask at the initial consultation;
• The surgeon may have given you a number of options and will need to know which one you would like to go ahead with;
• The surgeon will want to ensure that you have fully understood the risks involved with the surgery and what to expect in terms of outcome.

Of course, if you have further questions after the two consultations, additional consultations can be arranged, and the team at Kensington Medical is also available to help.

Once you have decided to proceed with surgery, we will schedule your procedure at one of our hospitals specialising in cosmetic surgery.

You will receive pre-operative instructions from us. In particular:

• As smoking increases the risk of complications during the healing process, it is preferable that you should give it up for a few weeks pre-operatively.
• Ten days before your treatment, you should abstain from taking any blood-thinning medications (such as aspirin).

You should arrive at least one hour before the time of your procedure.

Liposuction or submental liposuction to the chin is performed by inserting a cannula (a small tube) in different areas of the chin and applying gentle suction to aspirate the adipose tissues out (excess fat cells). The amount of fat removed in the neck and chin area is usually quite small.

Our surgeons generally perform this type of operation on a day-case basis, which means you go home on the day of the operation. Of course, if you prefer to stay overnight in hospital, this can be arranged.

We typically perform this procedure under local anaesthesia, which numbs the area, ensurung the patient remains comfortable. It lasts 40 minutes to 60 minutes.

While some discomfort may be experienced, the minimally invasive nature of the procedure means that recovery is generally swift and straightforward.

In order to get the best results from submental liposuction for double chin removal, the quality of aftercare is crucial.

You will spend a brief amount of time in the operating room (or recovery room) following your procedure. You will leave the hospital with a friend or a family member after the nursing staff is confident that you are fit to return home. It is preferable that you plan for someone to spend the first night after surgery with you at home. Although post-operative discomfort is typically minimal, you will be given painkillers just in case.

Once you have been discharged from the hospital, our nursing team will be available 24/7 to ensure your post-operative journey is comfortable and pain-free and to field any questions you may have.

You will be required to wear a compression garment around your head after the operation. This is because liposuction is in effect creating a honeycomb inside the skin, which the garment is compressing and pushing on, in order to facilitate skin retraction following the procedure. The garment must be worn all day, every day, for the first week and then at night for the next three months.

Your surgeon will see you a number of times in the weeks following your operation to monitor the facial skin and scars and to support you:

• On the next day, the surgeon will check the wounds and dressings.
• One week post-operatively, there will be another consultation and depending on your healing progress, the surgeon may decide to remove sutures then.
• You will see the surgeon again two weeks post-operatively, at which stage all remaining sutures will be removed and your progress, monitored.
• The last post-operative consultation is at six weeks. Generally, you will be discharged from the care of the surgeon at that stage.

Bruising and swelling can last up to one month following this surgery.

Following your operation, our medical staff will provide you with specific aftercare recommendations, including when it is safe for you to resume daily activities such as washing, exercising, putting on makeup, driving, carrying heavy loads, travelling, etc. In order to minimise the likelihood of a post-operative complication, it is crucial that you carefully follow these directions.

Because exposure to the sun can result in scars, discolouration, and other undesirable side effects, protecting your face from the sun is vital. When outdoors, wear hats, and use umbrellas and sunscreen. It would also be preferable to refrain from strenuous exercise or activities involving significant facial movements until our medical staff at Kensington Medical have given you the all-clear.

The outcome of your chin liposuction will be optimised if you adhere to the advice of our medical staff and adopt measures to protect your face. A healthy lifestyle is also important, including good sleep, a balanced diet and plenty of fluid. This will facilitate your recovery and perpetuate the results of your surgery. It is advised to abstain from smoking and drinking both before and throughout the healing process.