Most patients are able to return to their regular daily activities approximately 2 to 3 weeks after chin liposuction. You should feel relatively normal during this time. Recovery from chin liposuction is generally pain-free, though you may experience some slight discomfort and soreness.

Light swelling and bruising will also be present. You’ll need to wear a chin strap garment around your head and chin for the first few weeks, which will help with the healing process. This is largely why it is recommended that you stay home from work or school for at least a week after surgery. Of course, you’ll need to rest and give your body time to recover during this time as well.

In most cases, patients can go back to work or school when recovering from chin liposuction after 1 week. Ultimately, recovery depends on what type of surgery you had, your anatomy and overall health, and how much fat was removed.

It will be around the 6 to 8-week mark before you can return to a regular exercise routine. It may take up to 3 months before you will see the full results from your surgery.

Let’s take a look at the phases of recovery you can expect after chin liposuction Houston surgery.

Chin Liposuction Immediately After Surgery

Chin liposuction is typically an outpatient procedure. This means you’ll get to go home on the same day as your surgery. Directly after your surgery, how you feel will usually depend on what type of anesthesia you received. Learn about how to prepare for a chin liposuction.

If you had general anesthesia, this means you were in a sleep-like state during the procedure. In this case, after you wake up, you may feel slightly nauseous. Vomiting, weakness, and general fatigue are other common symptoms after general anesthesia. These symptoms may last just a few hours, but in some individuals, they can last for several days or even up to a week.

If you had local anesthesia for your surgery, you’ll typically feel better afterward — more awake and alert than someone who had general anesthesia. What type of anesthesia you have will partly be up to you and partly up to your plastic surgeon.

Chin Liposuction Results

You’ll be able to see your chin liposuction results directly after your procedure. This will not last long, however. While the extra fat will be gone, it’s only a matter of hours before the swelling will kick in.

This is perfectly normal. Swelling is one of the most common symptoms you will experience after chin liposuction. You may have swelling in the cheeks and on the chin and neck. Sometimes, swelling will extend down to the chest.

Chin Liposuction Bruising

Bruising will also be present during this first week. Most patients experience bruising on the lower part of the neck and on the chest. This is true even when the majority of the incisions were on the chin and in the upper neck. The reason is simply gravity.

Chin Liposuction Pain

Pain in the first two days after surgery should not be too bad, though you will be given some pain management options. In general, this procedure does not cause too much pain.

Still, you will have some slight discomfort, including general soreness in the neck and chin area. Most patients find that taking a modest dose of Tylenol regularly for the first few days after surgery is sufficient to alleviate discomfort

Chin Liposuction Bandages

One of the most important requirements during chin lipo recovery is wearing a chin compression strap — also known as a neck liposuction wrap.

This garment is essentially a compression garment for the chin. It is worn over and around the back of the head and extends down and around the face, beneath the chin. The garment will be made of an elastic material so that it provides a bit of stretch and compression. There are different sizes to meet the needs of different patients. The compression of the garment helps to reduce swelling and bruising. It can also encourage better healing, and you may actually find it more comfortable than wearing nothing at all.

Most patients will need to wear their chin compression strap 24/7 for about 1 week. Some patients will need to wear it for 10 days to 2 weeks. There is certainly nothing wrong with wearing it longer if you are able.

Chin Liposuction After 1 Week

Once you’ve had chin liposuction after 1 week, you can generally return to work or school. Some surgeons will say that patients can actually return sooner if they would like to.

The real reason to hold off is because the chin compression strap needs to be worn for at least the first week. Naturally, patients aren’t usually interested in wearing this in public. After one week, however, patients can just wear the garment after they get home in the evening.

Another element of the recovery process that will need to begin around this time is massage. Your surgeon will advise you to massage the chin and neck area starting at around 1 week or 10 days post-surgery. Some surgeons call this a lymphatic massage because you are technically manipulating the lymph buildup so that it drains from the body. Swelling and bruising should go down faster with regular massage.

However you want to refer to it, this massage is essential for getting good results from your double chin liposuction. You need to massage the chin and neck area every day for at least 5 to 15 minutes, depending on your comfort level. Keep in mind it can be rather uncomfortable.

Dr. Steinberg will help you learn the specific techniques you are to use. But in general, you will be using your fingers and fingertips to rub the sides of your chin and neck and push down with gentle pressure. In the front, right below the tip of your chin, you can push gently with a soft rotation and glide your fingers down the front of your neck.

As stated, there will be some pain as you massage. The area will naturally be sensitive. Don’t let this stop you, however, because if you fail to perform regular massage, it could diminish your results. Massage at least once every day or according to the instructions provided to you by your surgeon. Do as much as you can tolerate without overdoing it. Most patients aim for 5 to 15-minute sessions.

During this time, your surgeon may also recommend that you start applying warmth to the area. Up until now, you may have been directed to apply ice, which can help to reduce swelling. But now, warming the chin and neck with a damp towel (not too hot) can help to soothe the area and speed up and improve recovery.

Chin Liposuction After 2-4 Weeks

Usually, after about 2 weeks have passed post-surgery, you will be asked to start massaging any small hard spots that appear in the chin and neck area. These are perfectly normal and to be expected after liposuction. They must be dissolved, however, so keep going with your massage.

This can be difficult for some patients because it can be uncomfortable. You may also be discouraged if you don’t feel like you’re making any progress. Rest assured that if you’re massaging daily and focusing on softening the small pebble-like nodules that appear after surgery, you are headed in the right direction. Keep going, and don’t quit. Generally, when patients stop doing their massages and don’t take proper care of themselves during recovery, they are far less satisfied with their results.

During this 2 to 4-week period after chin liposuction, your chin and neck massage may be more important than ever.

Chin Liposuction After 6 Weeks to 3 Months

Two big things will happen at around the 6-week mark. First, you’ll likely be cleared to go back to regular exercise if you decide to. This means you can return to running, jogging, biking, or playing other sports.

The other thing is that you’ll begin to see significant changes in the shape of your jawline and neck. This is because much of the swelling will have dissipated by this time. Ideally, any pain or discomfort will be gone as well. Keep Dr. Steinberg updated on your symptoms. If you continue to experience discomfort, let her know. As always, consult with Dr. Steinberg if you ever have other questions or concerns about your procedure or recovery as well.

The outline of symptoms above is general and designed to guide you through a “typical” chin liposuction recovery. If any additional procedures such as chin augmentation are performed, this will naturally affect your recovery from chin liposuction after 1 week, 2-5 weeks, 6 weeks, etc. Likewise, everyone heals differently, so don’t expect your healing process to be just like someone else’s.

What Will You Look Like After Chin Liposuction?

The neck is a complex structure. With chin lipo, the skin, fat, and, muscle is what your surgeon will be working with. They’ll also need to reference your bone structure. Ultimately, they’ll need to take into account many factors in order to design the right procedure for you.

Most of all, your anatomy will play a huge role in how your face will be framed after surgery.

How the Jawbone Impacts Chin Lipo Results

The neck is framed by the jawbone (mandible). If your jawbone isn’t very strong, wide, and/or long, the rest of the neck won’t appear prominent either. Therefore, the aesthetics of your chin overall may suffer.

If you plan on getting chin liposuction and your jawbone isn’t strong, you will certainly see results. However, those results won’t be quite as significant as they would be on someone else with a stronger mandible.

How Skin Elasticity Impacts Chin Lipo Results

The younger you are, the more skin elasticity you have, and the better your results from chin lipo will be. This is because skin with a lot of elasticity tends to bounce back quickly and easily. When removing fat from the chin area, we need that skin — that has been stretched out over time — to return to a smaller size. Otherwise, patients may have some loose or “crepey” skin after surgery.

On the other hand, this isn’t to say that older adults with more fine lines and wrinkles can’t get chin liposuction. These patients will just want to consider that after surgery, they may have some looser skin in this area. For many patients, this is a fine tradeoff, and they are ultimately happy with their results.

FAQ: Houston Chin Liposuction Recovery

If you struggle with the size and/or shape of your chin, you’re not alone. Millions of men and women would love to change their chins. Chin liposuction is a workable option.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about chin liposuction recovery in Houston.

How long does chin liposuction take to heal?

The incisions required for chin liposuction should heal in a matter of a few weeks. You’ll be able to return to most non-exerting activities after 1 to 2 weeks. However, you’ll need to wait around 6 weeks before you can return to exercise. Throughout your recovery, you’ll meet with Dr. Steinberg to discuss your healing progress.

How long until I see results from chin liposuction?

It can take up to 3 months before you see the final results from your chin liposuction. In fact, you will probably see your “results” momentarily, directly after the procedure. But this short period will be followed by lots of swelling, which will obscure your ultimate results for some time.

What is submental liposuction?

Submental liposuction is liposuction of the chin. Many people get liposuction on their chins because they have a “double chin,” which they find uncomfortable or unattractive. Submental liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the chin and neck area to reveal a more sleek and chiseled profile.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Is a double chin your biggest insecurity? While for some individuals, weight loss can reduce excess fat in the chin area, for others, even weight loss won’t make a change. This is when individuals come to Dr. Steinberg to discuss chin liposuction — a minimally invasive procedure that can help reduce the appearance of a large or undefined chin area.

Chin liposuction can help you uncover the sleek, snatched chin you’ve always wanted. To find out more or schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Ashley Steinberg’s office in Houston today.