Submental Liposuction
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Los Angeles, CA
Submental liposuction is a treatment that removes excess fat from beneath the chin to sculpt the neck and jawline. While Kybella provides a nonsurgical, injectable solution for reducing a double chin, submental liposuction is, in fact, regarded as the more effective and efficient option for sculpting the area.
Dr. Mossi Salibian is a board-certified plastic surgeon who prioritizes patient-centered care. His extensive surgical training and experience in facial aesthetics allow him to achieve refined, balanced outcomes tailored to your unique features.
Contact our office in Los Angeles–near Beverly Hills–or call (310) 550-0750 to learn more about submental liposuction.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Submental Liposuction
Liposuction is an incredibly versatile procedure. It can be used to remove stubborn fat from essentially anywhere in the body; common treatment areas include the abdomen, thighs, flanks, and neck.
Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure; rather, it helps patients refine their body contours if they are experiencing stubborn, exercise-resistant fat. The fat underneath the chin is often particularly stubborn. Even if a patient is fit and healthy, genetics and other factors can make it difficult to see any changes in this area without surgery. As a result, many patients feel self-conscious due to a frustrating lack of jawline definition.
Patients with fullness underneath the chin can achieve an impactful sculpting with liposuction of this area. Dr. Salibian may perform this procedure on its own, or he may incorporate it during a neck lift to help contour the chin and jawline before removing excess skin.
Submental Liposuction vs. Fat Dissolving Injections
Kybella is an injectable formulated from the enzyme deoxycholic acid; when injected under the chin, it destroys fat cell membranes, which are then metabolized and cleared naturally by the body over time. While Kybella is often considered a nonsurgical alternative to submental liposuction, achieving results comparable to liposuction often requires multiple injection sessions.
Candidates
Suitable candidates for submental liposuction:
- Are in good overall health
- Wish to reduce stubborn fat beneath the chin to achieve a more refined, sculpted jawline
- Have good skin elasticity, which allows the skin to contract smoothly after fat removal
- Have submental fullness that persists despite a healthy lifestyle, often due to genetic factors
- Should have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve and understand that liposuction is designed for contouring, not weight loss
Consultation
During your consultation, please come prepared to discuss:
- Your full medical history
- Any allergies
- Past cosmetic procedures
- Your specific aesthetic goals
- Current medications, supplements, and overall health
Communicating openly about these factors is important to ensure you are a good candidate for submental liposuction. This consultation is also your opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the procedure, recovery, and expected results.
Dr. Salibian takes a thoughtful, integrative approach to treatment planning. If you have additional areas of concern, such as jowling, skin laxity, or facial volume loss, he may recommend complementary procedures or noninvasive rejuvenation therapies to help you achieve balanced, natural-looking results. Every plan is fully customized to reflect your anatomy, goals, and personal vision of beauty.
Preparation
Dr. Salibian will provide a personalized pre-operative plan tailored to your health profile and goals. To prepare for submental liposuction, Dr. Salibian often advises patients to:
- Pause certain medications or supplements that can increase bleeding or bruising during the procedure.
- Cease smoking and alcohol consumption several weeks before surgery and prepare to abstain from these substances throughout recovery, as both can impair healing and affect your final results.
- Complete any requested lab testing or obtain medical clearance, depending on your medical history.
Preparing properly not only helps optimize your safety during the procedure but also enhances the quality and longevity of your results. Dr. Salibian’s team will be available to support you throughout every step of the process.
Treatment Process
If submental liposuction is being performed alone, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia as an in-office procedure, making it a convenient and less extensive procedure for many patients.
Once you are comfortable, Dr. Salibian will make a small, discreet incision underneath the chin and inject a tumescent solution. This combination of lidocaine, epinephrine, and saline provides further numbing to the area, minimizes bleeding, and swells the fat cells so that they can be removed more easily. Tumescent fluid is a foundational step in most advanced liposuction procedures today. The tumescent technique also helps minimize bruising and swelling, while also keeping the treated area pain-free for several hours after surgery.
Through the same incision, Dr. Salibian will use a fine cannula to gently suction out the targeted fat, sculpting and refining the jawline. His meticulous approach ensures even contouring and a completely natural look.
The procedure typically takes less than an hour.
Recovery
After submental liposuction, patients may experience tenderness, swelling, or bruising under their chin, but these effects are temporary. Most patients can return to light activity within a few days with Dr. Salibian’s approval. Following aftercare instructions is important to ensure a smooth recovery. Guidelines often include:
- Keep the chin bandage on as directed to reduce swelling and support healing.
- Sleep and rest with your head elevated for the first week to help minimize swelling and discomfort.
- Refrain from exercise and heavy lifting and bending until cleared by Dr. Salibian.
- May have liquids and stick to soft, easy-to-chew foods if your chin feels tight.
- Attend all your pre-arranged post-op visits; these are essential for monitoring your healing and results.
Results
Final results will gradually appear as swelling subsides. After recovering from your liposuction treatment, you can enjoy a more defined jawline and a more slender, elegant neck. Because the fat removed by liposuction cannot regenerate, the procedure is often considered essentially permanent. However, it is important to keep in mind that the surrounding fat cells in the area are still capable of growing larger in size and impacting the treated area. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stable weight can ensure your results are long-lasting.
Corresponding Procedures
Facelift
A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to lift and reposition the underlying facial tissues, remove excess skin, and smooth wrinkles for a more youthful, refreshed appearance. While submental liposuction targets fat beneath the chin, a facelift addresses signs of aging in the lower face, such as jowls, deep nasolabial folds, and sagging skin along the jawline. Combining a facelift with submental liposuction when indicated can enhance jawline definition and provide more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
Neck Lift
A neck lift is a procedure that is commonly performed alongside a facelift that removes excess skin from the neck for a smoother, more youthful look. A neck lift can diminish muscle banding and tighten a sagging “turkey neck.” For patients with lax skin, Dr. Salibian will likely recommend that a neck lift be performed after submental liposuction; submental liposuction alone will not effectively address loose skin and underlying muscle.
Cost of Submental Liposuction in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles
The cost of submental liposuction will depend on your aesthetic goals and whether you would benefit from additional or corresponding treatments. Dr. Salibian can provide an estimated quote during your consultation to help you achieve your goals. The average cost for submental liposuction under local anesthesia alone is usually between $3500 and $5000. Dr. Salibian’s office can also discuss the financing options available to help make your treatment more accessible.
Contact our office in Los Angeles–near Beverly Hills–or call (310) 550-0750 to learn more about this procedure and the associated costs.
FAQ
Will submental liposuction cause scarring?
It can, but scarring is very minimal. Submental liposuction only requires a small, discreet incision under the chin.
Is submental liposuction a weight loss procedure?
Submental liposuction is not a weight loss procedure; it is a sculpting procedure designed to address stubborn, exercise-resistant fat under the chin. We recommend that patients be at a stable weight before their procedure, as subsequent weight fluctuations can alter the appearance of results.
Will I need more than one submental liposuction procedure?
No, patients can achieve stunning results after just one submental liposuction procedure. Because the fat cells are permanently removed and cannot grow back, this procedure is effective for long-lasting sculpting. Alternatives like Kybella injections may require multiple sessions for patients to achieve comparable results.
How long will the results of submental liposuction last?
Because removed fat cells cannot regenerate, the results of liposuction can be considered essentially permanent. However, future weight fluctuations can impact results, which is why we advise each patient to be at a stable weight before their procedure. Exercising regularly and eating healthy meals will be important for maintaining your results.
Can I combine submental liposuction with other treatments?
Yes, many patients choose to combine liposuction with other treatments to improve their appearance. Commonly combined procedures include a facelift and neck lift, which remove excess skin and lift or tighten underlying structures to provide stable rejuvenation. We can discuss the most effective treatment plan for your aesthetic goals during your consultation for optimal results.
References
- Aldihani M, Assaf N, Garson S, Sinna R. Submental liposuction under local anesthesia – About 695 patients. Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique. Published online September 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anplas.2024.08.003
- Patel S, Kridel R. Current Trends in Management of Submental Liposis. JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. 2018;20(3):202-206. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jamafacial.2017.1567