The submental lipectomy

This is an operation to remove excess of skin and fat that collects underneath the chin which fills in the angle between neck and the jaw. This collection of tissue is the result of the effects of gravity, tissue laxity and the collection of fat underneath the skin. This serves to impart an aged look which can readily be corrected to its former youthful look. However, in those that have never had a well-defined angle between the chin and the neck, surgery is unlikely to re-define this angle. Preoperative assessment will indicate those who are likely to benefit from this surgery.

Surgery can be undertaken using local anaesthetic alone, with oral or intravenous sedation or under general anaesthetic. Preoperatively, the amount of tissue to be excised it is marked under the jaw and the incision generally extends from just under the chin to the Adams apple area. This scar is difficult to notice because of its position under the chin and great care is taken to break up the scar into a broken line which makes it much less obvious to the naked eye.

Postoperatively

The local anaesthetic takes a number of hours to wear off and generally speaking, the first night is the most uncomfortable but the discomfort can be treated adequately with paracetamol.

Great care is taken to ensure that all bleeding has stopped during the operation but rarely bleeding can occur following surgery.

Bruising down the neck is certainly a feature following surgery but this can be minimised by keeping the wound cool, sitting upright and consideration should be given to sleeping upright on the first night. More vigorous activity is certainly discouraged until a week after surgery.

Infection in this area is extremely uncommon and generally, antibiotics are not administered.

The skin edges approximated with skin sutures which are removed at 5-7 days. Thereafter, and the wound is held together by the sutures underneath the skin.

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