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Submental Liposuction
Charlotte's Most Trusted Plastic Surgeon
— delivering confidence through precision and care.
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Redefine Your Jawline
A double chin can develop regardless of your weight or fitness level, due to factors like aging, genetics or simply how your body stores fat. This stubborn fullness beneath the chin can blur your jawline and affect your profile in ways that feel disproportionate to the rest of your appearance. At May Plastic Surgery, Dr. Brian May uses submental liposuction to sculpt a sharper, more defined jawline with minimal downtime and virtually invisible scarring.
Local anesthesia
1 hour
3-5 days
What Is Submental Liposuction?
Submental liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that removes excess fat from beneath the chin (called submental fullness). Unlike neck lift surgery, submental liposuction focuses specifically on fat removal, making it ideal for patients with good skin elasticity who want to reduce the appearance of a double chin and sculpt a more defined jawline.
- Dr. Brian May
Am I a Good Candidate?
Submental liposuction is often most suitable for patients who are at or near their goal weight but have stubborn fat under the chin. Good elasticity is also important in this area unless combined with a facelift procedure, as liposuction is not able to tighten the skin. This procedure is common in young patients who are seeking an improvement in their jawline contour and side profile but aren’t ready for a facelift yet.
A complete review of your health will always be performed during a consultation to make sure you are a good candidate and can handle the recovery. Dr. May will also assess things like your skin quality and fat distribution to decide if liposuction will give you the results you are looking for. If this is not the right surgery, or if a different option would serve you better, he will let you know.
What Can Submental Liposuction Address?
Submental liposuction is particularly effective for patients with specific concerns about the area beneath their chin. Dr. May's expert techniques can address:
- Double chin (submental fullness)
- Poor jawline definition
- Genetic predisposition to submental fat
- Asymmetric fat distribution in the chin/jawline
For the right candidate, submental liposuction can dramatically improve the definition of the lower face with minimal downtime and little to no scarring, making it a popular choice for younger patients or those who simply prefer a less invasive option.
Procedure Preparation
Certain preparation steps are standard for every surgery that Dr. May performs. In the weeks leading up to your procedure, you should pause anything you are taking that may thin your blood. This includes medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and prescription blood thinners (if approved by your doctor), as well as certain supplements like Vitamin E, ginseng, St. John’s wort, ginkgo biloba and fish oil.
Limit alcohol use for a day or two leading up to your appointment, and stop smoking six weeks before and after your blepharoplasty to promote healing. You may also need to schedule an eye exam, depending on your situation.
As your surgery gets closer, you can focus on some of the more practical details. Pick up your prescriptions and stock up your freezer with easy meals that you can warm up. Make sure you have a comfortable place to relax with comfortable pillows to help you keep your head elevated, and some clean washcloths and gel packs ready to go.
The Art & Science of Facial Rejuvenation With Dr. May
There's something uniquely satisfying about solving a complex problem with precision and creativity, a mindset Dr. May developed long before he ever held a scalpel. His undergraduate engineering degree taught him to approach challenges methodically, while his artistic sensibility ensures every solution is as beautiful as it is functional. This blend of analytical thinking and creative vision shapes how Dr. May approaches every facial rejuvenation procedure, seeing the signs of aging not as separate “issues” but as an interconnected system that needs to be rebalanced as a whole.
Technical skill gets you halfway there, but Dr. May’s artistic eye is what separates good results from truly transformative ones, influencing everything from incision placement to tissue repositioning. He also considers factors like natural facial asymmetries, expression patterns and even how someone’s face moves when they smile or laugh to craft each surgical plan.
- Dr. Brian May
Procedure Details
At May Plastic Surgery, submental liposuction can be performed comfortably under local anesthesia in the office setting, unless it's being combined with other procedures that require general anesthesia. The procedure begins with careful marking and preparation to ensure optimal results.
Dr. May typically makes three small (approximately 2mm) incisions: one hidden beneath the chin and one just behind each earlobe. These strategic incisions allow complete access to the treatment area while ensuring that any scarring will be almost invisible once healed.
Recovery & Results
Recovery from submental liposuction is typically comfortable and straightforward. You can expect some swelling and mild bruising that resolves within the first week. Most patients return to desk work within a few days, making this an appealing option for those with busy schedules.
A compression garment worn around the neck helps minimize swelling and supports healing during the first week. While you'll notice improvement immediately, your results will continue to refine as swelling completely subsides and the skin contracts to your new contours.
Long-Term Expectations
The fat cells removed during submental liposuction will not return, so your results have the potential to be long-lasting.
The actual longevity will depend on certain factors, such as whether there are significant weight changes. The remaining fat cells in the area can still expand, so Dr. May recommends maintaining a stable weight after surgery. The skin and tissues of your neck will also continue to age, so a consistent skincare routine can help you enjoy your chin contours for as long as possible.
Scarring is rarely a concern with submental liposuction. They are so small and in such hidden locations that they fade and become unnoticeable within a few months. Protecting your incisions from direct sun exposure is one of the best things you can do to help them heal properly.
Inside the Consultation Room With
Dr. Brian May
Adjunct Procedures:
To take your
Submental Liposuction
results to the next level, consider these options for a more complete transformation:
Why Choose May Plastic Surgery?
Dr. May’s philosophy is built on making the decision feel right at every step. His approach to every surgery is to put the patient first, with concierge-style appointments that give you plenty of time to ask questions and voice concerns. His goal is to build a patient-surgeon relationship on the foundation of trust and safety, with meticulous attention to detail at every stage, from planning to the surgery itself. You will feel like you are confiding in a trusted friend.
You can count on:
- A relentless commitment to continuous learning and the latest techniques
- Honest, in-depth conversations about your options, including if another approach might serve you better
- A welcoming environment where warmth and professionalism are paramount
Submental Liposuction FAQs
The area will be fully numbed with local anesthesia before we begin, so the experience, though a little strange, is not painful. As you recover, you may experience some minor discomfort, such as tightness and soreness in the treated area, along with swelling and bruising. The pain is manageable with OTC medication and cold compresses.
Even though general anesthesia is not often used, we still recommend having someone drive you home afterward since this is a surgical procedure. Once you have had time to rest and heal, Dr. May will let you know that you can return to driving again. It is also a good idea to have someone stay with you for the first day of your recovery to help you with any strenuous tasks.
You will wear a compression garment for the first week to minimize swelling and help you heal, and you will need to keep your incision sites clean and dry. Usually, showers are okay, but submerging the area in water is not. Swelling is easier to manage when you sleep with your head slightly elevated to allow fluids to flow back toward your heart.
Nonsurgical methods for submental fat removal can provide some results, but are not a replacement for surgical fat removal. Submental liposuction removes the fat in a single procedure, while nonsurgical methods require several sessions to see a difference. While liposuction is usually the most efficient choice for those who want to see noticeable results in a short amount of time, Dr. May can help you learn about all of your options and recommend the best treatment plan for you.
Many patients choose to combine submental liposuction with procedures like chin implants to enhance the jawline, buccal fat excision for select patients, a neck lift or a facelift. In every situation, Dr. May carefully considers both the short-term results of each surgery as well as how the surgery will affect your appearance as you age. He is always comfortable saying “no” if a particular combination would not be beneficial.
Dr. May encourages facial surgery patients to walk right away. The gentle movement of getting up and going to the restroom or heading to the kitchen for a glass of water can help support healthy circulation and reduce swelling. You can return to more moderate activity within a week and resume more intense exercises after two or three weeks.
Request Your Consultation
At May Plastic Surgery, Dr. May understands how a well-defined jawline can enhance your entire facial profile. His precise techniques help patients achieve dramatic improvements with minimal downtime and virtually invisible scarring. Call us at 704-200-2493 to schedule your consultation and discover what submental liposuction can do for you.
Let's Connect
We are here to help. Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to schedule, our team is here to answer your questions about procedures, recovery, and next steps — and to personally guide you every step of the way.