Patients who want a more attractive neck and chin through chin liposuction don’t want to think about side effects like bruising during recovery. However, after chin liposuction, some bruising is perfectly normal.
The capillaries (small blood vessels) near the surface of the skin are easily damaged during surgery, which results in blood settling below the surface of the skin and causing that unmistakable purple, blue, and red discoloration of bruising.
Of course, if bruising becomes excessive or persists for longer than a few weeks, you should contact your surgeon to ensure your chin lipo recovery is progressing normally. In rare cases, ongoing bruising after chin liposuction may signify a problem.
What to Expect After Your Chin Liposuction Surgery
If you’re interested in submental liposuction, we hope you’ve been doing your research online to ensure this is the right procedure for you. Having comprehensive knowledge about this procedure can help you as you plan for surgery and chin liposuction recovery bruising.
For most chin liposuction patients, the anticipation of seeing the final result is what’s most exciting. So, naturally, when a patient sees that initial bruising and swelling right after surgery, it can be a bit discouraging.
Of course, here, patients must have patience.
Fortunately, bruising after liposuction is common and normal, but short-lived. In fact, for the majority of patients, it will only last for about one week (two, at most). In rare cases, it may persist for a few additional weeks. Anything after that may be cause for concern, and you should see your surgeon.
Other symptoms you can expect after double chin liposuction include:
- Swelling at the incision sites
- Chin liposuction scar
- Soreness and discomfort
- Itching
- Changes in sensitivity (numbness)
- Mild bleeding and drainage
How Much Bruising Is Normal After Neck Liposuction?
Patients should expect mild-to-moderate bruising after chin liposuction. In reality, how much bruising you have will depend on how you typically bruise after bumping yourself or getting an injury. If you’ve had surgery before, consider what type of bruising you experienced after that procedure.
Everyone is different in this regard. Some will bruise severely, and it may last for weeks while others will only experience moderate bruising, and it may last for just a few days. The same goes for swelling. Some patients tend to swell more that others.
What Does Double Chin Lipo Bruising Look Like?
Chin lipo surgery bruising on the chin usually collects around the lower part of the jaw and neck — sometimes migrating onto the chest. As the bruising improves throughout the healing process, it may appear patchy and change from a reddish purple hue to yellowish-gray.
Your Anatomy in Relation to Chin Liposuction
Many patients think that chin liposuction is a straightforward procedure that involves very little thought or strategy. It seems as simple as inserting a cannula and suctioning the unwanted fat out of the chin area.
In reality, the neck is a complex structure consisting of skin, fat cells, and muscle. All of the structures are different in different individuals.
For example, some people naturally have a sloping, non-defined jawbone, and this can drastically impact how their chin looks overall. For these individuals, the lack of facial definition is not due to excess fat on the neck, but to the difference in the shape and size of their jawbone. Naturally, this means that liposuction may not work perfectly for everyone.
Another key factor is skin quality. Individuals who are young with lots of elasticity will usually have very good results from chin liposuction because the fat will be removed, and the skin will retract to the new shape of the jaw and neck.
On the other hand, for individuals who may be older and have slightly more laxity or looseness in their skin, even if fat is taken out of the chin and neck area, the skin will not retract afterward. So, after chin liposuction, those individuals might have loose skin.
Now, for some patients, that is okay. They want to get rid of the excess fat, they understand that they may have some sagging skin after surgery, and they’re fine with that. But this is something we like to discuss prior to arranging for surgery because we don’t want you to be surprised if you end up having a slimmer, more chiseled jaw and neck line but loose skin once the procedure is over.
How to Reduce Bruising After Chin Liposuction
What’s going to help improve your chin liposuction recovery and get rid of chin lipo bruising the fastest is following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions.
Your surgeon is going to tell you to refrain from strenuous activities, get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol and smoking. Follow these instructions if you want your bruising to go away as soon as possible so that you can achieve optimal results.
Here are some other key points to keep in mind:
Don’t engage in physical activity for the initial period of chin lipo recovery.
To reduce swelling and bruising, refrain from running, jogging, or doing anything that is going to get your heart rate up. If your heart rate increases, your blood pressure is going to rise, and this is actually going to make you swell and bruise more.
Wear your compression garment as directed.
Right after surgery, you will be put into a chin strap for the duration of your chin liposuction recovery. The strap and bandages must remain on for as long as your surgeon recommends.
Having a compression garment on at all times throughout your chin liposuction recovery will ensure that swelling and bruising goes down as quickly as possible. That compression garment is going to keep your skin retracted so that it stays retracted even when the garment is taken off. This will result in far less saggy skin and better overall results.
Do not smoke during chin liposuction recovery.
Patients who smoke before or after surgery are going to experience worse side effects during the chin lipo recovery process. In fact, in some patients, ongoing bruising that becomes problematic may be linked to chronic smoking in patients. Ideally, it is good to stop smoking altogether or at least stop for several weeks before and after surgery.
Chin Lipo Bruising Timeline
Day 1
Many patients are able to see outstanding results from their liposuction right after they take their compression garment off on the first day of chin lipo recovery. This is usually short-lived, however. That’s because right after this, you’re going to get swollen and see a lot of bruising.
As a side note, only take your head wrap off when advised to do so by your plastic surgeon.
Days 2-3
During days two and three in recovery and throughout the first week, you’re going to have soreness and slight discomfort, swelling, and bruising. These are all normal side effects.
Follow your surgeon’s instructions, and refrain from exercise, smoking, alcohol, and high sodium foods. Get plenty of rest, and lead a healthy lifestyle.
End of Week 1
Usually, patients can start using lymphatic massage at the end of the first week of recovery. Self massage is going to help drain the excess fluid throughout the chin and neck, and this can help reduce bruising and swelling. Most plastic surgeons will advise their patients to massage the area a few times a day.
Directions for this will be given to you upon your discharge after surgery. Keep in mind, however, that massage protocols after surgery vary from surgeon to surgeon and depend upon the patient’s unique anatomy and how much fat they’re having removed.
Results
After one to two weeks, most patients will notice that all of their bruising is gone. Some swelling may remain, however. In fact, it may take several months for all of the swelling to go down after chin liposuction.
Bruising Is Normal After Chin Lipo Surgery
Two things are important to remember when it comes to bruising after chin liposuction.
First, bruising is perfectly normal after any type of invasive surgery, including submittal lipo.
Second, all patients are different. Some patients will swell and have more bruising than others. Don’t compare yourself to someone you know who had surgery or an online story that you hear. You are unique, and if you have any questions about your chin liposuction recovery, you should direct them to your plastic surgeon.
Questions and Answers
How long does bruising last after chin liposuction?
Expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the chin and neck areas during chin lipo recovery, typically lasting from a few days to about a week.
How do you get rid of bruising after chin liposuction?
During the initial 48 hours after double chin liposuction, use cold compresses and moist gauze to reduce swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Apply for 20 minutes every hour. After 8 hours, transition to moist heat with a damp towel.
Is chin liposuction recovery painful?
Immediately following your submental liposuction (chin lipo), expect mild soreness, swelling, and bruising. The initial 1-2 days may be the most uncomfortable.
How much does chin liposuction cost?
The cost of chin liposuction ranges of $2,000 to $10,000. This variability is influenced by factors such as the extent of fat removal, the type of medications administered, the expertise and experience of your surgeon, and any additional procedures conducted simultaneously.
Contact Us Today to Book a Consultation
The first step to finding the best plastic surgeon to perform your procedure is looking for someone with board-certification and specific experience performing the procedure you’re looking for.
So, if you’re interested in getting submental liposuction, you want a board-certified plastic surgeon with chin liposuction experience and many happy patients. We recommend always looking at surgeons’ chin lipo before and after photos to get a good idea of their skill.
Dr. Matthew Schulman is a leading board-certified plastic surgeon performing chin liposuction in the New York City area. If you are interested in this procedure and you would like to discuss your options, make your consultation appointment with Dr. Schulman today. Patients come from as far away as Philadelphia and Allentown, PA, New Haven and Norwalk, CT as well as Long Island, Manhattan and Westchester.
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/double-chin-surgery
