Many individuals seek to address their double chin through cosmetic procedures. However, before making a decision, it’s important to understand the potential costs and what to expect throughout the process. We explore the factors that influence the cost of double chin removal and provide insights into what you can anticipate during the treatment journey. Continue reading online to learn more about double chin removal.
What is Double Chin Surgery?
When considering the effects of skin aging, the neck often becomes one of the primary areas to display signs of aging, warns Healthline. Some individuals may experience a greater accumulation of fat beneath the chin. This surplus fat and sagging skin can impact the overall jawline and facial appearance, adds the source.
Thankfully, a plastic surgeon can address a double chin through various procedures. Johns Hopkins Medicine lists the following as the most common double chin surgery procedures:
- Liposuction: This method involves the removal of fat deposits beneath the skin, shaping the contour of the chin and neck. They’ll make a small incision under the skin, then insert a tube to remove the fat, explains Johns Hopkins Medicine. Liposuction generally requires only local anesthesia to numb the targeted area.
- Face-lift: This surgical procedure enables doctors to eliminate excess fat and loose, sagging skin around the chin and neck, effectively eliminating a double chin. According to the source, most people will undergo general anesthesia during this procedure, but it’s also possible to only have local anesthesia.
- Neck-lift: Various types of neck-lift procedures address specific concerns, such as removing excess skin (cervicoplasty) or tightening neck muscles (platysmaplasty). Both of these will result in improved neck and chin contours, says Johns Hopkins Medicine. Often, doctors combine a traditional face-lift with this procedure, which may cause a sensation of tightness in the neck for several months.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of double chin surgery can vary depending on the specific procedure chosen. According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, the total expenses for cosmetic surgery involving the chin and neck typically range from $1,200 to $12,000. On the other hand, a 2020 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that the average cost of a neck lift is approximately $5,774. It’s important to note that these figures do not include additional expenses like anesthesia and operating facility fees.
These other potential costs include medical tests, prescriptions, and follow-up care, explains GoodRx Health. The price may also be influenced by factors such as the experience of the surgeon performing the surgery. Additionally, the choice of venue for the procedure can affect the overall cost. Surgeries may be in surgical centers or hospitals, while alternative procedures might take place in doctor’s offices or medical spas, adds the source.
Will Insurance Cover the Cost?
According to GoodRx Health, the cost of a double chin surgery will likely be an out of pocket expense. This is because double chin surgery is a cosmetic procedure and health insurance companies generally do not cover cosmetic surgeries. Another reason is because they are typically performed for aesthetic purposes rather than addressing a medical necessity, note the source.
Another thing to consider is that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not permit the inclusion of cosmetic surgery expenses as deductions for medical expenses on taxes. Nevertheless, GoodRx Health states that healthcare credit companies often provide financing options specifically for cosmetic surgery expenses. Additionally, some surgeons and practices may offer payment plans to make the cost more manageable for patients.
How Does it Work?
Chin liposuction involves the insertion of a small tube, known as a cannula, into targeted areas of the chin, explains Healthline. By employing gentle suction, small and precise amounts of fat are extracted from each location. This procedure leads to a more streamlined and balanced profile, says the source. It also reduces the presence of fat beneath the chin.
In the case of a submentoplasty, Healthline writes that the surgeon creates minor incisions beneath the chin and utilizes liposuction on the neck to achieve the desired outcome. And finally, during a neck lift, the surgeon makes incisions behind the ear and potentially underneath the chin. According to the source, this allows for the removal of excess skin and the tightening of neck muscles.
Recovery
Typically, individuals undergoing cosmetic surgery for the chin and neck can return home on the same day, says the Cleveland Clinic. It is important to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you during the initial night. In some cases, a thin tube may be placed near the incisions to drain fluid and minimize swelling, adds the source.
Your surgical team will provide you with detailed recovery instructions, which according to the Cleveland Clinic, may include the following:
- Refraining from applying ice near the surgical area.
- Proper care of the drains and regular changing of bandages.
- Maintaining a head position elevated above the heart.
- Minimizing neck movements, such as avoiding pulling clothes over your head or sudden head turns.
- Promptly reporting any complications that arise.
- Avoiding sun exposure.
- Utilizing prescribed medications, such as ointments or pills, to manage pain and prevent infection.