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| | | Chin liposuction typically is performed to eliminate a small deposit of excess fat, such as a double chin, that cannot be resolved with diet or exercise. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Chin liposuction typically costs between $1,500 and $5,000 for traditional liposuction -- or as much as $7,500 for laser liposuction, depending on the geographic location, the doctor and the patient, according to plastic surgeons at RealSelf.com. For example, Dr. Satish C. Vayas in Dearborn, Michigan, charges $500 to $1,500 for the surgeon's fee for chin liposuction, but he charges a la carte, so facility and anesthesia fees could add $1,500 for a one-hour procedure, for a total of $2,000 to $3,000. The La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre in California charges about $3,600 total for liposuction on the face. Dr. George Beraka in New York charges about $5,000. And Dr. Brooke Seckel in Boston charges up to $7,500 for laser chin liposuction.
- Chin liposuction is considered a cosmetic procedure, so it typically is not covered by health insurance.
What should be included: | - During an initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss patient goals, look at the face and chin, and describe surgical technique, risks and cost.
- For chin liposuction, after numbing the chin area with local anesthesia, the surgeon typically makes a few small incisions -- usually under the chin and each earlobe -- and then inserts tiny tubes, called canula, to break up and suction out excess fat. The doctor might insert drainage tubes to aid healing. Chin liposuction usually is an outpatient procedure.
- Some newer techniques, such as tumescent liposuction (in which the doctor injects a saline solution to make fat deposits easier to remove) and ultrasonic liposuction (in which the doctor uses sound waves to melt the fat) have made the process safer with better results. The National Institutes of Health provides an overview of liposuction.
- During follow-up visits, the doctor will remove drainage tubes and check healing progress.
Additional costs: | - The surgeon might prescribe pain medication and antibiotics after surgery.
- To aid healing, you will have to wear a chin compression garment, which costs about $25, for about two days.
- Recovery typically requires two to three days off work.
Discounts: | - Most plastic surgeons offer discounts for multiple procedures or liposuction on multiple areas of the body.
Shopping for chin liposuction: | - Good candidates for chin liposuction are healthy non-smokers close to their ideal weight who have a small, localized area of excess fat under the chin.
- Tip: Make sure the doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has privileges at an accredited hospital, even if the surgery is not taking place there. Both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery offer referral services. It also is a good idea to ask to see before-and-after photographs of previous patients.
- Risks of chin liposuction include shock, fluid overload, bleeding, blood clots, fat embolism, nerve or tissue damage, burns, uneven fat removal, scarring, drug reactions and even death.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated February 2010 |
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