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Encinitas, CA
We’re constantly seeing ourselves on video calls and high-resolution screens, it feels like the camera adds 10 pounds—especially to the profile.
You’ve put in the effort, you’ve hit your fitness goals, yet that pocket of fullness under the chin remains. Honestly, it’s rarely about dieting. It’s often about genetics, inherited structure, or the kind of stubborn fat that just doesn't respond to exercise. For many, this submental fullness softens the jawline and blurs the definition between the neck and chin, leaving you with a profile that feels heavier and older than you actually are. Our goal at Schoemann Plastic Surgery is to restore that sharp, natural definition that feels authentic to your face with submental liposuction. Because the last thing anyone needs right now is another feature that looks done.
Double chin removal is a surgical procedure used to reduce excess fat beneath the chin and along the upper neck. In many patients, this is done with submental liposuction, also called chin liposuction or neck liposuction, to remove stubborn fat, refine the neck contour, and create better definition between the chin and neck.
A double chin can develop from submental fat, fatty deposits in the neck area, reduced skin elasticity, the natural aging process, or a combination of factors. During your initial consultation, Dr. Schoemann looks closely at the chin area, the neck, the skin, and the underlying facial features to decide whether submental liposuction alone will create the right result or whether another treatment plan would serve you better.
Double Chin Removal | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | A double chin caused by excess fat, stubborn fat, or submental fullness |
| Treatment type | Minimally invasive surgical procedure |
| Downtime | Minimal downtime for most patients, with temporary bruising and swelling |
| Pain level | Mild to moderate soreness and tightness |
| Treatment length | Usually 45 minutes to 1.5 hours |
| When results appear | Gradual results over several weeks as swelling fades |
| How long results last | Long-lasting results with stable weight |
| Cost | Pricing reflects the treated area, anesthesia plan, and whether additional procedures are included |
Double chin removal treats fat beneath the chin, submental fullness, and extra fat along the upper neck. It is especially helpful for many patients who feel that the chin and neck look heavier than the rest of the face.
This treatment can address:
This is the main treatment zone. Most patients seeking double chin removal are bothered by a concentrated pocket of fat beneath the chin that makes the lower face look less defined.
Some patients also carry excess fat into the lower and upper neck. Treating that area creates a smoother neck contour and helps the result look more complete.
Double chin removal can improve the visual separation between the chin and neck. That transition point has a major effect on profile shape and on how defined the jawline looks from the side.
Double chin removal creates a cleaner contour through the lower face and neck. It reduces unwanted fat, restores better definition, and helps the profile look firmer and more balanced.
Benefits may include:
The best candidates have excess fat beneath the chin, fairly good skin elasticity, and a desire for more definition in the lower face and neck. Many patients are close to their ideal weight and want to address a pocket of stubborn fat that does not respond to healthy habits.
You may be a good candidate if…
Double chin removal may not be the right fit if…
A good consultation clears this up quickly. One patient needs submental liposuction. Another needs a neck lift. A third benefits from combining neck liposuction with other procedures.
Double chin removal is often performed as a submental liposuction or neck liposuction procedure. The approach is focused and efficient, but the contouring work requires precision. The goal is a smooth result that fits the rest of the face.
Dr. Schoemann marks the chin area and neck area while you are upright, so the fullness is visible in natural posture.
The area is thoroughly numbed with a local anesthetic, sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the treatment plan and whether additional procedures are being performed.
A small incision is made in a discreet spot, usually beneath the chin.
A thin cannula is used to remove excess fat, unwanted fat, and fatty deposits in a controlled pattern. This is the core of the chin liposuction process.
The area is checked from multiple angles to confirm smoothness and symmetry across the chin and neck.
A compression garment is placed to reduce swelling and support the new contour during early healing.
Most patients report tightness, soreness, and swelling rather than sharp pain. The neck moves constantly when you turn your head, swallow, or speak, so the area feels active during early recovery. The discomfort is usually manageable. The patience comes later, while the contour settles.
The recovery period is usually straightforward, but the treated area stays visible while it heals. Most patients feel better before the swelling has fully settled.
Plan for a few days of visible swelling and temporary bruising. Some patients return to normal social activity quickly. Others prefer to stay off camera and out of photos until the neck contour starts to sharpen.
Walking is encouraged early. Exercise, bending, and heavy lifting should wait until you are cleared. Protecting the treated area helps control swelling and supports a smoother recovery.
“The area beneath the chin tends to test people’s patience. It swells early, then tightens, then gradually softens into a cleaner contour. I tell patients to judge recovery in phases. This area changes steadily, and it almost always looks better at six weeks than it does at six days.”
Most patients notice early improvement once the initial swelling starts to fade. The final contour develops gradually. That is especially true after submental liposuction, where the skin and soft tissue need time to settle against the new shape.
Results timeline
Stage | What You May Notice |
|---|---|
| First week | Early reduction in fullness, partly hidden by swelling |
| 2–4 weeks | Better definition in the chin and neck |
| 1–3 months | A cleaner profile and more visible neck contour |
| 3–6 months | More refined, long-lasting results |
Double chin removal produces long-lasting results because the fat cells removed during surgery are gone from the treated area. Weight gain can still affect the body and neck over time, and the natural aging process will continue to affect the skin, but the targeted fat removed during the procedure does not return in the same way. Patients who maintain a stable weight and good overall health tend to keep their results the longest.
Option | Best for | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Submental liposuction/chin liposuction | Excess fat and submental fullness | Does not correct significant loose skin |
| Kybella injections | Mild to moderate fullness in patients who want a non-surgical option | Requires multiple sessions to break down fat cells |
| Neck lift | Loose skin, turkey neck, and advanced laxity | Involves more extensive neck surgery |
| Chin implant | Weak chin structure and poor projection | Does not remove excess fat |
| Lower facelift | Broader facial and neck aging | Treats a wider area than the chin alone |
Kybella contains deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring substance that helps break down fat cells. It can be effective in selected patients, though many patients prefer surgical double chin removal when they want a more defined result in a shorter treatment sequence.
Yes! Double chin removal is often part of a broader treatment plan.
This combination works well when excess fat and loose skin are both present.
This pairing can strengthen the profile and improve chin and neck balance.
This approach can make sense when facial plastic and neck concerns extend beyond the area beneath the chin.
In selected patients, dermal fillers may help support surrounding facial features and improve overall harmony.
A strong result depends on judgment, technique, and restraint. The contour beneath the chin needs to look smooth from every angle and stay in proportion with the rest of the face.
Dr. Mark Schoemann is a double-board-certified plastic surgeon with fellowship training and advanced experience in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery principles. He approaches double chin removal with the same care he brings to more complex cosmetic procedures. That means studying the chin, neck, skin elasticity, and overall anatomy before recommending treatment.
Patients in Encinitas choose Schoemann Plastic Surgery because the process feels personal and the recommendations feel honest. We take time to understand your aesthetic goals, explain whether submental liposuction, neck lift surgery, or other procedures make the most sense, and build a treatment plan around your face rather than a generic formula.
If you are ready to get rid of a double chin and restore better definition to the lower face, Schoemann Plastic Surgery in Encinitas offers a highly personalized approach. Dr. Schoemann will examine the area carefully, review your medical history, and recommend a treatment plan that fits your anatomy and your aesthetic goals.
Call our office at (760) 487-2520 or request your consultation online to get started.
Submental liposuction is one of the most effective forms of double chin removal. It is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat beneath the chin through a small incision.
It can improve the look of the area when skin elasticity is still fairly good. Patients with significant loose skin or sagging skin often need a neck lift procedure instead.
Most patients report soreness, tightness, and swelling rather than sharp pain. The recovery is usually very manageable.
Yes. For many patients, chin liposuction is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgery option that creates a meaningful change with minimal downtime.
Yes. A compression garment is usually part of the early recovery plan and helps support the neck contour.
The fat cells removed during surgery are gone permanently. Weight gain and the natural aging process can still affect the neck and body over time.
That depends on the source of the fullness. Patients with excess fat often do well with submental liposuction. Patients with turkey neck, loose skin, or advanced laxity often benefit more from neck lift surgery.
The cost of double chin removal depends on the amount of excess fat being treated, the surgical plan, the anesthesia approach, and whether additional procedures are included. We provide clear pricing during your consultation based on your anatomy, your goals, and the level of contouring needed to create a clean result for the chin and neck.
