Double Chin

A double chin (medically referred to as submental fat accumulation) can significantly affect facial aesthetics. It can give the face a heavier, older, or less defined appearance. The area under the chin is notoriously resistant to traditional weight-loss methods, but it can be managed with cosmetic surgery. 

If you’re interested in booking this procedure at our clinic, contact us for a free consultation on double chin removal, including pricing in Turkey. If you’d like to know more first, keep reading to learn about this issue, how we treat it, and the available options.

Table of Contents

What Is Double Chin Removal Surgery?

Double chin surgery encompasses procedures that remove excess fat, tighten sagging skin, and refine the contour of the neck and jawline. The two most commonly combined treatments are chin liposuction procedure and a neck lift.

Genetics, aging, and lifestyle factors also play key roles in the formation of a double chin. This aesthetic concern is common across all ages and can affect self-confidence, personal and professional interactions, and how individuals perceive themselves in photographs or social settings. 

Fortunately, advanced aesthetic medicine techniques provide multiple effective solutions for addressing submental fullness and sculpting a more youthful, defined jawline. Our clinic has successfully treated these issues with:

    • Chin liposuction: Targets fat cells in the submental area to reduce fullness and contour the jawline.
    • Neck lift: Repositions muscles and removes excess sagging skin for a firmer, more defined profile.

These procedures are often customized based on the patient’s anatomy and desired results, ensuring a natural, harmonious appearance. Double chin surgery also has functional benefits. By removing excess skin and fat, patients can experience improved comfort in movement and clothing fit.

 

What Are the Causes of Double Chin

Several factors contribute to the appearance of a double chin:

    • Genetics: Family history plays a significant role. Some people inherit a predisposition to store fat in the submental region.
    • Aging: Over time, skin loses elasticity, and fat may accumulate, leading to sagging under the chin.
    • Weight gain: Although not the sole cause, excess weight can exacerbate the appearance of a double chin.
    • Posture and muscle weakness: Poor posture or underdeveloped neck muscles can worsen sagging in the chin area.

Understanding the underlying causes helps surgeons determine whether liposuction, skin tightening, or a combination is most appropriate. The causes of your issue may help determine the best approach. We can discuss that during a free consultation

Who Is a Good Candidate for Double Chin Correction?

Ideal candidates are patients who:

    • Have excess fat or sagging skin under the chin.
    • Are in good overall health, free from conditions that may impede healing.
    • Have realistic expectations about outcomes.
    • Are non-smokers or willing to quit smoking before surgery, as nicotine can delay healing.

Candidates may range from young adults with stubborn genetic submental fat to older patients experiencing skin laxity due to aging. In many cases, combining chin liposuction with a neck lift provides the best results.

 

The Double Chin Surgery Process

Preoperative Phase

Before surgery, a thorough consultation is conducted. During this stage:

    • Facial assessment: Surgeons analyze fat distribution, skin elasticity, and overall facial proportions.
    • Medical history review: Identifies potential risks, medications, allergies, or chronic conditions.
    • Photographic documentation: Used for preoperative planning and postoperative comparison.
    • Personalized surgical plan: Surgeons discuss whether liposuction, a neck lift, or a combination is most suitable.

Patients are instructed to avoid smoking, alcohol, and certain medications like aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs that increase bleeding risk. Maintaining hydration and a healthy diet optimizes healing and recovery.

During Surgery

Double chin surgery is generally performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s age and comfort level. The procedure involves:

    • A small incision: Typically placed under the chin or behind the ears for discretion.
    • Liposuction: A cannula is inserted to gently remove excess fat. Techniques may include:
    • Tumescent liposuction: Uses a numbing solution to minimize pain and reduce bleeding.
    • Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (VASER): Dissolves fat using ultrasonic energy for precise sculpting.
    • Laser-assisted liposuction: Provides both fat removal and skin tightening benefits.
    • Neck lift (if needed): Tightens underlying muscles and removes excess skin for a smoother contour.
    • Closure and bandaging: Dissolvable sutures are commonly used, and compression garments support the new contour.

The total procedure usually lasts one to two hours, depending on the complexity and whether multiple techniques are combined.

Postoperative Phase

Recovery is gradual but manageable:

    • Immediate recovery: Patients spend a short period in a recovery room while vital signs are monitored.
    • Home care: Bandages and compression garments are worn for one to two weeks.
    • Daily activities: Most patients resume light daily activities within three to four days.
    • Full recovery: Swelling and bruising typically subside within two to four weeks, while final results appear after one to three months.
    • Follow-up visits: Surgeons monitor healing and remove non-dissolvable sutures if necessary.

During recovery, patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise, contact sports, or heavy lifting for at least three to four weeks. Sleeping with the head elevated helps reduce swelling and promotes faster healing.

Combining Double Chin Surgery with Other Procedures

While most double chin surgeries rely on fat removal and skin tightening, some patients may choose:

    • Fat grafting: Harvesting fat from another area and reinjecting it to enhance chin or jawline definition.
    • Chin or jawline implants: Provide additional projection and structure for patients with recessed chins.

These options are considered on a case-by-case basis and often combined with liposuction for maximum contouring. Double chin surgery can complement other facial procedures for overall rejuvenation, including:

    • Chin augmentation: Enhances jawline projection and balance.
    • Neck liposuction: Further defines neck contours.
    • Facelift: Reduces sagging in the midface and neck.
    • Rhinoplasty: Balances facial proportions, emphasizing harmony with the jawline.

Strategically combining procedures can reduce overall recovery time and provide more dramatic, harmonious results.

Possible Risks and Complications for Double Chin Removal

Double chin surgery is generally safe when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. Potential risks include:

    • Temporary swelling, bruising, or numbness: Common and usually resolves within weeks.
    • Infection or poor wound healing: Rare but possible; minimized through sterile technique and antibiotics.
    • Asymmetry: Slight differences may occur if fat removal or skin tightening is uneven.
    • Loose skin: Patients with poor skin elasticity may require additional procedures or skin treatments.

Choosing a board-certified surgeon and adhering strictly to pre- and post-operative instructions reduces these risks.

 

Common Myths About Double Chin Surgery

Don’t be discouraged by common myths about this surgery.

 

Myth

Reality

“Only overweight people get double chins” 

Genetics, aging, and skin elasticity play significant roles.

“Losing weight alone will fix it”

Submental fat often resists diet and exercise.

“Surgery leaves obvious scars”

Incisions are discreetly placed and typically heal invisibly.

“Recovery is painful and long” 

Modern techniques minimize pain, and most patients return to normal routines within days.

“It’s only for women”

Men frequently undergo double chin procedures to improve jawline definition.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does double chin surgery cost in Turkey?

Double chin surgery in Turkey typically costs between $2,500 and $5,000, significantly lower than in Western countries. The exact price depends on the technique used, whether liposuction alone or combined with a neck lift, and the surgeon’s experience. Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli provides personalized quotes after consultation.

Can a double chin return after surgery?

Once unwanted fat cells are removed, they do not grow back. However, significant weight gain can cause new fat deposits to develop, alter the appearance, and skin laxity may develop with aging. Maintaining a stable weight and healthy lifestyle helps preserve results.

How long does double chin surgery take?

The procedure typically lasts one to two hours, depending on complexity and whether multiple techniques are combined. Simple liposuction may take less time, while combining liposuction with a neck lift requires additional time for muscle repositioning and skin tightening.

Am I a good candidate for double chin surgery?

You’re a suitable candidate if you have excess fat or sagging skin under the chin and are in good overall health. Ideal candidates are non-smokers or willing to quit before surgery. Young adults with genetic submental fat and older patients with skin laxity are both suitable candidates.

What is the difference between liposuction and a neck lift?

Chin liposuction removes excess fat to contour the jawline. A neck lift tightens the underlying muscles and removes sagging skin, creating a firmer profile. Many patients benefit from combining both procedures for optimal results, addressing fat and skin laxity simultaneously.

Are double chin surgery scars visible?

Incisions are typically placed under the chin or behind the ears for discretion. Scars are small and usually heal invisibly within natural skin creases. Proper post-operative care and sun protection enhance healing and minimize scar visibility over time.

Will I need stitches removed?

Many surgeons use dissolvable sutures that do not require removal. Non-dissolvable sutures, if used, are typically removed within 5–10 days.

How long is the recovery after double chin surgery?

The hospital stay is typically one day. Most patients resume light normal activities within three to four days of downtime. Swelling and bruising subside within two to four weeks. Complete swelling resolution and final results appear after one to three months of healing.

Can men get double chin surgery?

Yes, men frequently undergo double chin procedures to improve jawline definition and achieve a more sculpted appearance. Men with excess submental fat or sagging skin are excellent candidates. Results enhance masculine features when performed by an experienced surgeon.

What are nonsurgical alternatives to double chin surgery?

Kybella is a nonsurgical injection containing deoxycholic acid that dissolves small amounts of fat under the chin. Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to tighten skin. Both require multiple treatments over months and work best for mild fullness. Surgery provides more dramatic, faster results for moderate to severe double chins.

Can double chin surgery be combined with other procedures?

Double chin surgery can be combined with facelift, chin augmentation, or neck liposuction for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Combining procedures addresses multiple concerns simultaneously and often reduces overall recovery time while creating harmonious, balanced results.

How experienced is Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli with double chin surgery?

Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli is one of Turkey’s most experienced facial contouring surgeons. He has performed hundreds of double chin procedures combining liposuction, neck lifts, and advanced techniques. His expertise ensures natural-looking results and optimal patient satisfaction.

Why choose Turkey for double chin surgery?

Turkey offers world-class surgeons with extensive experience at significantly lower costs than Western countries. The country has established medical tourism infrastructure with accredited facilities. Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli has performed hundreds of procedures with excellent results for international patients.

What technique is best for double chin surgery?

The best technique depends on your anatomy and goals. Tumescent liposuction is standard and effective. VASER uses ultrasonic energy for precise sculpting. Laser-assisted liposuction removes fat and tightens skin. Your surgeon will recommend the best approach during consultation.

How soon will I see the final results?

Initial results are visible after swelling decreases, typically within two to four weeks. However, complete resolution of swelling and final results appear after one to three months. Scars continue to fade over this period, revealing the full benefit of your procedure.

Is double chin surgery permanent?

Results are permanent regarding fat cell removal. Once fat cells are surgically removed, they do not return. However, results depend on maintaining a stable weight and a healthy lifestyle. Natural aging may affect skin elasticity over time, but the improved jawline definition typically lasts for many years.