Gene K. Lee, MD, MPH
Submental Liposuction in Beverly Hills, CA
Submental liposuction, also called chin liposuction, neck liposuction, or double chin liposuction, is a targeted facial contouring procedure that removes localized fat beneath the chin and along the upper neck. By reducing excess fat in this area, submental liposuction can create a cleaner transition from the chin to the neck, improve jawline definition, and bring greater balance to the lower face.
A fuller area beneath the chin does not always result from being overweight. Genetics and natural fat distribution can leave some patients with persistent submental fullness even when they are otherwise lean and healthy. In appropriately selected patients, removing this localized fat can reveal facial contours that were already present but hidden beneath the fullness.
At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, board-certified plastic surgeon Gene K. Lee, MD, MPH approaches chin and neck contouring with careful attention to facial proportions, skin quality, jawline anatomy, and the relationship between the face and neck. Rather than simply removing as much fat as possible, Dr. Lee focuses on creating a smooth, natural contour that remains balanced with the rest of your features.
Continue reading to learn more about submental liposuction in Beverly Hills with Dr. Gene K. Lee, or contact us online today to schedule your consultation. We are located in Beverly Hills and proudly welcome patients from the Inland Empire, San Fernando Valley, Downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, and the greater Los Angeles area.
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What Is Submental Liposuction?
The submental area is the region immediately beneath the chin and extending into the upper neck. When excess subcutaneous fat accumulates here, it can soften the angle between the chin and neck, obscure the jawline, and create what is commonly referred to as a “double chin.”
Submental liposuction removes this superficial fat through very small incisions and a slender surgical cannula. Dr. Lee carefully reduces and contours the fatty layer rather than simply emptying the area, helping reveal the underlying jaw and neck anatomy while maintaining smooth transitions between surrounding tissues.
Because the treatment area is relatively small, subtle adjustments can have a noticeable effect on facial balance. Improving the chin-to-neck transition can make the jawline appear cleaner and more defined and may create a slimmer appearance through the lower face.
As with liposculpting elsewhere on the body, submental liposuction is a contouring procedure rather than a weight-loss procedure. The objective is to reduce a localized pocket of fat that is disproportionate to the surrounding features.
What Can Chin and Neck Liposuction Address?
Submental fullness can occur in patients of many different ages and body types. Some people notice a fuller chin and neck after weight changes, while others have had the same contour since adolescence because of their genetics or natural fat distribution.
Chin and neck liposuction may help improve:
• A double chin caused primarily by localized fat
• Fullness directly beneath the chin
• Excess superficial fat along the upper neck
• Poor definition between the chin and neck
• A jawline that appears less visible because of surrounding fat
• Lower facial fullness that is disproportionate to the rest of the face
• Persistent fat that remains despite maintaining a healthy weight
One of the most important parts of planning submental liposuction is identifying what is actually creating the contour you see.
A poorly defined jawline is not always caused by excess fat alone. Skin laxity, the position of the chin, the underlying platysma muscle, deeper neck structures, and natural skeletal anatomy can all affect the appearance of the neck and lower face.
Dr. Lee evaluates each of these factors before recommending treatment so that liposuction is used when removing fat will genuinely improve the contour.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Submental Lipo in Beverly Hills?
The best candidates for submental liposuction generally have a localized collection of fat beneath the chin combined with reasonably firm, elastic skin.
Good skin quality is especially important in this part of the body. Once fat has been removed, the overlying skin needs to contract and conform to the newly defined neck and jawline. Patients whose skin retains good elasticity are therefore more likely to achieve a smooth, refined contour with liposuction alone.
You may be a candidate if:
- You have persistent fullness beneath your chin despite being at or near a stable weight
- Your double chin is primarily caused by excess superficial fat
- You have reasonably firm skin with limited laxity
- You would like greater jawline and neck definition
- You are in good general health
- You do not smoke or are willing to stop as directed before and after surgery
- You have realistic expectations for what fat removal can accomplish
Age alone does not determine candidacy. A younger patient may have genetically inherited submental fullness despite excellent skin tone, while another patient may develop additional fat beneath the chin with age but still retain enough skin elasticity for liposuction to work well.
What Does Submental Liposuction Not Address?
Submental liposuction is excellent at reducing fat, but it does not correct every source of fullness or aging in the neck.
Most importantly, liposuction does not remove significant amounts of loose skin.
If a patient has pronounced skin laxity, simply removing the supporting layer of fat underneath it can sometimes make the looseness more noticeable. Similarly, liposuction does not directly tighten separated or prominent platysma muscles or remove hanging skin from the neck.
Submental liposuction is also not intended to:
- Correct moderate to severe loose neck skin
- Tighten prominent platysmal bands
- Substantially reposition sagging facial tissues
- Correct jowls caused primarily by tissue descent
- Change an underprojected chin or underlying skeletal structure
- Replace a neck lift when more comprehensive rejuvenation is needed
- Serve as a method of overall weight loss
This distinction is important because two patients who both describe having a “double chin” may need completely different procedures.
One may have excellent skin with a small pocket of excess fat and be an ideal candidate for liposuction. Another may have relatively little fat but significant skin and muscle laxity and achieve a better result with a neck lift.
Dr. Lee’s role is to identify which anatomical components are contributing to your concern and select the procedure accordingly.
How Is Submental Liposuction Performed?
Submental liposuction is customized according to the amount and distribution of fat, the quality of the skin, and the patient’s facial anatomy.
The treatment typically begins with small, carefully positioned incisions around the chin and neck. Through these openings, Dr. Lee introduces a slender liposuction cannula beneath the skin.
A tumescent solution may first be placed into the tissues to help control bleeding, improve comfort, and make the fat easier to remove. Dr. Lee then uses the cannula to strategically reduce excess fat while sculpting the area around the chin and jawline.
His broader liposculpting practice includes both traditional liposuction and power-assisted liposuction, which uses an oscillating cannula to assist with fat removal. The specific technique used for the neck is selected according to the patient’s anatomy and treatment plan.
The neck has relatively small anatomical transitions compared with areas such as the abdomen or thighs, so removing fat indiscriminately can create an unnatural or irregular contour. Dr. Lee carefully preserves the volume needed to maintain smoothness while selectively reducing areas that obscure the patient’s natural jawline.
The small incisions are positioned so that they can heal as discreetly as possible.
Can Skin Tightening Be Combined With Neck and Chin Liposuction?
Skin quality is one of the most important considerations when determining whether submental liposuction will provide the result you want.
Patients with naturally resilient skin may experience good contraction after the underlying fat is reduced. When there is mild skin looseness, Dr. Lee may discuss whether an additional skin-tightening treatment could improve the final contour.
Dr. Lee offers Renuvion J-Plasma as a skin-tightening option in conjunction with liposuction for appropriately selected patients. Renuvion delivers radiofrequency energy and helium plasma beneath the skin to encourage tissue contraction over time.
This does not make skin tightening a substitute for a surgical lift in patients with considerable laxity. The amount of loose skin and the condition of the deeper neck structures still determine whether liposuction, liposuction with added tightening, or a neck lift is the more appropriate procedure.
Dr. Lee will discuss these differences during your consultation rather than trying to force every patient into the same treatment.
Submental Liposuction vs. Neck Lift: Which One Do I Need?
Both procedures can improve the contour beneath the chin, but they address different anatomical concerns.
Submental liposuction primarily removes localized fat. It is generally best suited to patients with good skin quality whose main concern is fullness beneath the chin or along the upper neck.
A neck lift is more comprehensive. Dr. Lee may use neck lift surgery to address loose skin, excess fat, and laxity of the platysma muscles beneath the neck.
The procedures also overlap. Liposuction may be incorporated into a neck lift when excess fat contributes to an aging neckline, while younger patients with little or no laxity may need only isolated submental liposuction.
During your consultation, Dr. Lee evaluates:
- The amount and location of submental fat
- Skin thickness and elasticity
- Presence of loose or hanging neck skin
- Platysma muscle anatomy
- Jawline definition
- Chin projection
- Jowling or lower facial descent
- The relationship between the face, jaw, chin, and neck
Looking at all of these features together allows him to recommend a treatment that addresses the cause of your concern rather than simply treating the most obvious symptom.
Can Submental Liposuction Improve My Jawline?
For the right patient, yes.
A well-defined jawline depends partly on the transition between the lower face and neck. Excess fat immediately beneath the jaw can blur this border, making a naturally strong jaw appear softer or less visible.
By selectively removing that fat, submental liposuction can uncover more of the patient’s existing mandibular contour and create a clearer angle between the jaw and upper neck.
However, liposuction does not physically enlarge or reshape the jawbone. Patients with limited chin projection or skeletal anatomy that contributes to poor jawline definition may need a different or additional treatment to create the degree of improvement they want.
This is another reason Dr. Lee evaluates facial proportions as a whole. A beautiful neck contour is not created by focusing on one small pocket of fat in isolation. The chin, jawline, lower face, and neck all need to work together.
Why Choose Dr. Gene K. Lee for Submental Liposuction in Beverly Hills, CA?
Facial and neck liposuction requires a different degree of finesse than reducing larger fat deposits elsewhere on the body.
Dr. Gene K. Lee is a board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with comprehensive training in both general surgery and plastic surgery. His practice has a particular emphasis on face and neck procedures, where small differences in contour can meaningfully affect the balance of the entire face.
His approach to liposculpting emphasizes thoughtful fat removal rather than aggressive reduction. When treating the submental area, Dr. Lee considers the thickness of the remaining tissues, skin elasticity, jawline, chin position, and overall facial proportions so that the neck looks refined without appearing hollow or overtreated.
Patients also appreciate the time he takes during consultation to understand exactly what they are seeing and what they hope to improve. If submental liposuction is not the procedure most likely to accomplish that goal, Dr. Lee can discuss alternatives such as skin tightening, neck lift surgery, or a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation plan.
At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, the focus remains on results that complement your existing anatomy and allow you to continue looking recognizably like yourself.
What to Expect from Submental Liposuction with Dr. Gene K. Lee
Your treatment begins with a comprehensive examination of the lower face, chin, jawline, and neck.
Dr. Lee will ask what specifically bothers you about the area and whether the fullness has changed with your weight, age, or other factors. He will evaluate the amount of superficial fat beneath the chin, the elasticity of the skin, and whether deeper structures are contributing to the contour.
Your medical history will also be reviewed to ensure that surgery can be performed safely.
If submental liposuction is appropriate, Dr. Lee will explain where fat will be reduced, how the incisions will be positioned, what type of anesthesia is recommended, and what you can realistically expect after healing.
This is also the time to discuss other lower facial concerns. Some patients initially come in asking for chin liposuction only to learn that loose skin, jowling, or another anatomical feature is contributing equally to their appearance.
A thorough consultation ensures that your treatment plan is based on your individual anatomy rather than the name of the procedure you initially had in mind.
What Is Recovery Like After Chin and Neck Liposuction?
Immediately after submental liposuction, some swelling, bruising, tightness, tenderness, and temporary changes in sensation are expected.
Dr. Lee may place a compression garment around the chin and neck to control swelling and support the tissues as they begin adapting to the new contour. You will receive detailed instructions regarding incision care, medications, sleeping position, activity restrictions, and how long the garment should be worn.
Because swelling can temporarily obscure the improvement, the neck will not look final immediately after surgery.
Many patients can return to non-strenuous work and everyday activities relatively early in recovery, although visible bruising and swelling vary from person to person. Exercise, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity should remain limited until Dr. Lee clears you to resume them.
Over the following several weeks, swelling steadily diminishes and the contour beneath the chin becomes increasingly visible. The skin also requires time to settle and contract around the newly sculpted area.
Patients should expect continued refinement over the following weeks and months rather than judging their results in the first few days after surgery.
Are Submental Liposuction Results Permanent?
The fat cells removed during liposuction are permanently removed from the treated area.
However, liposuction does not prevent the remaining fat cells elsewhere in the area from enlarging if significant weight is gained in the future. Maintaining a relatively stable weight can therefore help preserve your new chin and neck contour.
The natural aging process also continues. Over time, skin may gradually become looser and facial tissues can change position even though the removed fat does not return in the same way.
Patients with strong skin elasticity and stable weight can enjoy long-lasting improvement in submental fullness and jawline definition.
Schedule Your Beverly Hills Submental Liposuction with Dr. Gene K. Lee
A small amount of fat beneath the chin can have an outsized effect on how defined the lower face appears. When that fullness persists despite maintaining a healthy weight, submental liposuction can reveal a cleaner jawline and create a more refined transition between the face and neck.
The key is determining whether fat is truly the primary issue.
At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gene K. Lee carefully evaluates the fat, skin, muscles, jawline, and overall proportions of your lower face before recommending treatment. Whether your ideal plan involves isolated chin liposuction, additional skin tightening, or a more comprehensive neck lift, his focus is on choosing the approach that best fits your anatomy and goals.
To schedule a consultation for submental liposuction in Beverly Hills, call LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery at (310) 919-0777 or complete our online contact form. We proudly welcome patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Downtown Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, the Inland Empire, and surrounding communities.
Meet Gene K. Lee MD, MPH
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gene K. Lee combines advanced surgical training with a thoughtful, ethical approach to aesthetic care. Known for his natural-looking results and deep respect for each patient’s unique goals and cultural identity, Dr. Lee creates personalized treatment plans focused on safety, integrity, and long-term satisfaction. When you choose Dr. Lee, you’re choosing a surgeon who values your trust and is dedicated to helping you look and feel your best—authentically.
Neck and Chin Lipo Beverly Hills – FAQs
Can chin liposuction get rid of a double chin?
If your double chin is primarily caused by excess submental fat, liposuction can significantly reduce that fullness. However, a double chin can also be influenced by loose skin, muscle laxity, or underlying facial structure. Dr. Lee will evaluate the area to determine whether fat removal alone will provide the improvement you want.
Am I too young or too old for submental liposuction?
There is no single ideal age for chin and neck liposuction. Younger patients may seek treatment for genetically inherited fullness beneath the chin, while older patients may develop additional fat in this area over time. Skin elasticity and the underlying anatomy are more important than age alone when determining candidacy.
Will submental liposuction tighten loose neck skin?
Liposuction removes fat but does not directly remove or surgically tighten loose skin. Patients with good skin elasticity may see the skin contract around the newly contoured area as they heal. If significant laxity is present, Dr. Lee may recommend additional skin tightening or a neck lift instead of liposuction alone.
Can chin liposuction make my jawline look sharper?
It can when excess fat is obscuring the natural jawline. Removing carefully selected fat beneath and around the jaw can create a cleaner transition between the lower face and neck. However, liposuction does not change the underlying jawbone or chin projection, so the degree of improvement depends on your anatomy.
How much fat is removed during submental liposuction?
There is no standard amount that should be removed. Facial liposuction is about contour rather than volume alone. Dr. Lee removes enough fat to improve definition while preserving the smoothness and natural fullness needed for a balanced result.
Does chin liposuction leave scars?
Submental liposuction is performed through very small incisions placed in discreet areas around the chin and neck. Scars are generally small and positioned to be as inconspicuous as possible once fully healed.
How long does swelling last after chin liposuction?
Swelling is normal during the early stages of recovery and can temporarily make the area look fuller than expected. It gradually decreases over the following weeks, while more subtle refinement can continue as the tissues settle over the next several months.
Will I need to wear a compression garment after submental liposuction?
Dr. Lee may recommend wearing a supportive compression garment around the chin and neck during early recovery. Compression can help control swelling and support the tissues as they begin adapting to their new contour. He will provide specific instructions regarding how long and how often it should be worn.
Can submental fat come back after liposuction?
The fat cells removed during liposuction are permanently removed. However, the remaining fat cells can still enlarge with significant weight gain. Maintaining a relatively stable weight can help preserve the contour achieved with surgery.
Can submental liposuction be combined with other facial procedures?
Yes. Depending on your anatomy and goals, chin and neck liposuction may be performed alongside other facial procedures. For patients with greater skin or muscle laxity, it may also be incorporated into a more comprehensive neck lift. Dr. Lee will determine whether combining procedures provides a more balanced result.
Is submental liposuction better than a neck lift?
Neither procedure is universally better. They treat different problems. Submental liposuction is most appropriate when excess fat is the primary concern, and the skin has enough elasticity to re-drape well. A neck lift can address more significant skin laxity, muscle looseness, and other structural changes that liposuction alone cannot correct.
How soon will I see results after chin liposuction?
You may notice an early change once the initial swelling begins to decrease, but the final contour develops gradually. The jawline and neck typically become more refined over the following weeks and months as swelling resolves and the tissues settle.