Many patients are curious whether they will need to wear a chin lipo compression garment after chin and neck liposuction. The answer is yes.
While every plastic surgeon will have different parameters for how long they expect their patients to wear a liposuction compression garment, it is standard practice to apply compression for at least a few days — and perhaps up to a week or longer — following chin liposuction. In fact, compression garments are recommended after all types of liposuction surgery and after other plastic surgery procedures, such as breast lift surgery, tummy tuck surgery, etc.
Chin Liposuction Overview
Chin liposuction reduces unwanted bulk beneath the chin and along the neckline to give you a more defined jaw and chin. Men and women may have excess fat on their chin and neck due to genetics or weight gain. Some people who are otherwise fit may simply tend to carry excess fat in this area, and even with diet and exercise, it can be difficult to get rid of.
Neck Lift vs Chin and Neck Liposuction
Many people confuse neck lift surgery with chin and neck liposuction. The two are quite different because they treat different aesthetic issues on the chin and neck area. A neck lift primarily treats excess skin. So if you have loose skin on your neck due to aging or because of weight fluctuations throughout your life, a neck lift can help to get rid of that redundant skin and smooth out the neck area, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Chin liposuction, on the other hand, gets rid of excess fat. And notably, liposuction does not do anything about excess skin. In fact, if you have excess skin and you get liposuction instead of a neck lift, you can actually make your chin look worse because you’ll be left with more of a “turkey neck” (more excess skin).
Chin Liposuction Procedure
The chin liposuction procedure (also known as submental liposuction) is fairly straightforward. We start with a local anesthetic and typically an IV sedation to keep you comfortable.
We will then make a small incision directly below your chin. Incidentally, this is the incision that is made for an isolated neck lift surgery. In some patients, the surgeon may decide to make a small incision behind each ear too, but this is less common.
Once the incision is made, your surgeon will insert a thin tube called a cannula, which will be the device used to suction out the fat. There are various liposuction techniques available to be used with chin liposuction. Ultimately, the fat will be removed and discarded, or some patients choose to have it relocated to other areas such as the buttocks, breasts, or other parts of the face.
Finally, the incisions will be carefully closed, the chin liposuction compression garment will be put on. You will be taken to your chin lipo recovery room to rest up before being allowed to go home.
Compression Garments After Chin Lipo
Compression garments come in all shapes and sizes and can be used with all different types of surgery. For chin liposuction, unfortunately, the garment has to go all the way around the head to actually apply compression. Some people call it a headwrap or a chinstrap. Basically, the goal is to apply pressure and keep everything in place during the healing process.
You do not need to worry about finding the right compression garment for yourself. Plastic surgeons generally put this garment on right after your surgery, and they will find the best chin lipo compression garment for you. Generally, it will be the only one you will need for the duration of the healing process.
How Long Must I Wear a Chin Lipo Compression Garment For?
This really depends. Plastic surgeons vary when it comes to how long to wear compression garment after chin lipo. Additionally, certain patients may need to wear their chin compression garment for longer than others.
For example, if you had a significant double chin and had to have a lot of excess fat removed, it may be beneficial to wear the compression garment for longer because recovery will be a bit more challenging.
More minor chin lipo surgery may require a shorter time during which you’ll need to wear a compression garment. It all depends on the circumstances of your surgery.
What Happens if I Don’t Wear a Compression Garment After Chin Lipo?
It’s important to wear a compression garment after undergoing chin liposuction, neck lifts, cheekbone surgery, chin augmentation, ear surgery, tummy tuck surgery, and breast surgery. After all of these procedures, swelling is normal, but wearing compression garments after surgery will reduce swelling. This is perhaps the biggest benefit.
At the same time, compression garments encourage proper blood flow, incision site stability, and an even distribution of fat cells as well. While they are not always the most comfortable, they are made of breathable fabric and can really provide a lot of benefits. If you wear no compression garment after chin lipo, you even run the risk of having a more noticeable chin lipo scar over time.
Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation Appointment
Interested in chin liposuction Beverly Hills? Contact us today to set up a one-on-one consultation appointment with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Charles Galanis. A new chin and neck contour can completely change your look. Invest in yourself with chin lipo surgery.
