Chin liposuction in Medellín

Chin liposuction is liposuction of the double chin. You will also see it called chin lipo, double chin liposuction or submental liposuction, and in Spanish, lipopapada. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) lists the chin and neck among the areas liposuction treats. Keep in mind that a double chin is not always just fat: an ASPS article explains it can come from genetics, excess fat or loose skin. Chin liposuction treats the fat.

Sometimes a double chin shows more because the chin lacks projection. In that same ASPS article, a surgeon who is a member of the society explains that when the chin lacks structure, it contributes to the look of a double chin, and that projection can be added with an implant or with injectables. That is why chin liposuction is often combined with chin surgery, and in some cases the chin can be improved without surgery using hyaluronic acid fillers. Whether you need one or both, and whether they are done in the same surgery, is up to your surgeon at your in-person consultation, after looking at your whole profile.

According to the ASPS, the best candidates for liposuction have firm, elastic skin, are in good health and do not smoke, and liposuction does not tighten loose skin. So:

• If loose skin is what stands out most, we evaluate a neck lift.
• If your skin is only mildly loose, our aesthetic physician may consider HIFU.
• If you want to lose weight, this is not the way: liposuction does not treat obesity. That is what medical weight management is for.
• If you smoke and cannot quit, or you have a condition that affects healing, it may not be for you.
• If you would rather not have surgery, in some cases double chin fat can be treated with cryolipolysis (in Spanish), also called fat freezing.

At your consultation, we tell you what makes sense for you.

Every surgery has risks, and chin liposuction does too. For liposuction, the ASPS lists, among others:

• Anesthesia risks.
• Bruising, swelling or fluid buildup.
• Infection or poor healing.
• Contour irregularities, asymmetry or loose, rippled skin.
• Changes in skin sensation that may persist.
• Damage to deeper structures, such as nerves or blood vessels.
• Deep vein thrombosis and heart or lung complications.
• The need for revision surgery.

In the ASPS article on double chins, a surgeon also warns that removing too much fat can leave an irregular contour and loose skin. Before you decide, we explain each risk to you, and you sign an informed consent form.

Chin liposuction is done in the licensed operating rooms at Q2, never in a doctor's office, and pre-op tests are required: without them, there is no surgery. Also, according to the ASPS, in general:

• Stop smoking or vaping: smoking reduces blood flow and makes healing harder.
• Go over the medications you take with your specialist: aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements can increase bleeding. We tell you what to stop taking, how to fast and what to bring.
• Have an adult take you home and stay with you the first night.

You leave with a compression chin strap. According to the ASPS, compression helps reduce swelling and supports the area while it heals. With chin liposuction, it also helps your skin adapt to the new contour. You wear it the first week and then at night from week 2 to week 4; your specialist confirms how long. You go home with clear instructions: how to care for the incisions, which medications to take, what warning signs to watch for and when your follow-up visit is. We see you for follow-up visits until you are discharged.