Double Chin Surgery: Types, Procedure, Risks, and Recovery
Updated: 6 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is double chin surgery?
Double chin surgery is a cosmetic procedure that removes extra fat and loose skin under the chin and along the neck. Options include chin liposuction, a chin tuck, and a neck lift, sometimes combined. Most people go home the same day, return to work within one to two weeks, and should call their surgical team for infection signs. [1]
What the research says
Fat-dissolving injections reduce chin fat better than placebo. A pooled analysis of 5 randomized trials with 1,838 participants found deoxycholic acid injections improved every measure of chin fat. Only 6.8% to 9.9% of people stopped because of side effects, which were mostly short-lived pain, numbness, bruising, redness, and swelling at the injection site. (Cunha et al., Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 2021) [2]
Deeper neck lifts satisfy most patients but carry nerve risks. A review of 57 studies covering 8,648 patients reported patient satisfaction of 81.6% to 98.6% after deep-plane neck lifts. Nerve weakness occurred in 0.2% to 12% of cases and blood pockets (hematoma) in 0.2% to 4%. (Chinta et al., Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2025) [3]
A bleeding-control medicine may lower hematoma risk. In a review of 10 studies with 592 face- or neck-lift patients, tranexamic acid reduced hematoma in 4 of 6 studies that measured it and shortened bruising, with no rise in infection. (ElAbd et al., Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 2025) [4]
Key takeaways
Double chin surgery removes extra fat, trims loose skin, and can tighten neck muscles. [1]
The main options are chin liposuction, a chin tuck, and a neck lift; injections suit mild fat with little loose skin. [1]
Surgery takes 45 minutes to a few hours, and most people go home the same day. [1]
Swelling and bruising last about two weeks; incisions can take several months to heal fully. [1]
Costs range from about $1,200 to $12,000, and most health insurance does not cover it. [1]
What is double chin surgery?
Double chin surgery is a procedure that removes loose skin and extra fat from the chin and neck area. [1]
A plastic surgeon picks one technique, or a combination, based on your goals and on how much fat and loose skin you have. [1]
Option | Medical name | What it treats | How it works |
Chin liposuction | Submental liposuction | Extra fat under the chin | Suctions fat out from under the skin |
Chin tuck | Submentoplasty | Chin and upper neck | Tightens skin and removes extra fat |
Neck lift | Lower rhytidectomy | Chin and the entire neck | Removes extra skin and tightens neck muscles |
Fat-dissolving injections | Deoxycholic acid | Mild fat with little loose skin | Helps break down fat; the body clears the by-products |
Source: [1]
A neck lift is a bigger operation than a chin tuck because it covers the whole neck, not just the chin and upper neck. [1] You can read more in our full guide to the neck lift (platysmaplasty) and in our overview of liposuction.
Why do people choose double chin surgery?
People choose double chin surgery to remove a saggy, loose, or wrinkled look under the chin that comes with aging, weight loss, or family traits. [1]
Some people inherit loose skin around the chin and neck. Others notice it after losing weight or simply getting older. [1]
Cosmetic surgery on this area can:
Remove a double chin
Help you look thinner or younger
Reduce wrinkles
Remove saggy skin [1]
How common is double chin surgery and how much does it cost?
Double chin surgery is common, with more than 50,000 of these procedures performed in the United States each year. [1]
The cost ranges from about $1,200 to $12,000. Most health insurance companies do not cover cosmetic surgery of the neck or chin. [1]
Cost factor | Why it changes the price |
Type of procedure | Liposuction, chin tuck, and neck lift differ in scope |
Anesthesia | The type used affects the fee |
Facility | Office, surgical center, or hospital |
Surgeon's experience | More experienced surgeons may charge more |
Source: [1]
What happens before double chin surgery?
Before double chin surgery, you meet a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals, health, and options. [1]
The surgeon will ask about:
Your goals
Your medical history, including health conditions, allergies, and past surgeries
All medications, including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs
Alcohol, tobacco, or drug use [1]
The surgeon will also:
Examine and measure your face and neck
Mark the area with a pen and take photos
Explain your surgical options and make a recommendation
Review anesthesia choices and the risks of surgery [1]
If you are a good candidate and decide to go ahead, you sign a consent form. It confirms you understand the risks and have realistic expectations. [1]
Before surgery, you may be asked to:
Get blood work or a physical exam with your primary care provider
Stop smoking
Stop certain medicines, such as aspirin, NSAIDs, and herbal supplements [1]
What happens during double chin surgery?
During double chin surgery, the surgical team removes or reshapes fat and tissue, tightens muscles, and trims extra skin while you are under anesthesia. [1]
The procedure takes place in a surgeon's office, a surgical center, or a hospital and lasts 45 minutes to a few hours, depending on which procedures you have. [1]
Step by step, the team will:
Give you a gown and position you on the surgical table
Give you anesthesia to control pain
Clean and mark the skin
Make incisions around the ear and hairline (neck lift incisions are larger than chin tuck incisions)
Cut, reposition, or shape tissue and excess fat
Tighten muscles by stitching them down
Trim extra skin and suction out fat with liposuction if needed
Close the incisions with stitches or skin glue
Apply bandages and possibly a chin strap to support the skin [1]
What happens after double chin surgery?
After double chin surgery, most people go home the same day, and someone should drive them home and stay with them the first night. [1]
You may have a thin tube (drain) near one or more incisions to remove fluid and prevent swelling. [1]
Your surgical team may ask you to:
Keep your head raised above your heart
Move your neck as little as possible (no pulling clothes over your head or turning your head suddenly)
Care for the drains and change the bandages
Avoid ice near the surgical area
Stay out of the sun
Take prescribed ointments or pills for pain or to prevent infection
Report any complications [1]
What are the benefits and risks of double chin surgery?
Double chin surgery can give a more defined chin and neck, smoother skin, and a younger or thinner look, but it carries the risks of any surgery. [1]
Many people report a more defined, well-shaped chin and neck after surgery. [1] Neck and chin plastic surgery is generally safe, but complications can happen. [1]
Risk area | Possible problems |
Bleeding | Bleeding, blood clots, or a hematoma (a pocket of blood under the skin) that may need draining |
Anesthesia | Nausea, vomiting, or trouble waking up |
Nerves and tissues | Nerve injury causing weakness, numbness, or changed skin feeling; damage to blood vessels, muscles, or organs |
Healing | Infection, incisions that heal poorly, hair loss near incisions, pain or swelling that lasts longer than expected |
Appearance | Uneven sides of the face, scarring, rippling, skin irregularities or discoloration |
Heart and lungs | Heart or lung problems |
Results | Results you do not like, which may need follow-up surgery |
Source: [1]
If scarring is a concern, our guide to scar revision explains the options for improving scars.
How long is recovery after double chin surgery?
After a chin tuck or neck lift, expect some discomfort, swelling, bruising, and a tight feeling in the skin. These improve over about two weeks. [1]
Time after surgery | What to expect |
Surgery day | Procedure lasts 45 minutes to a few hours; most people go home the same day |
First few days | Drains, if used, are removed |
1 to 2 weeks | Most people return to work and daily activities |
About 2 weeks | Swelling, bruising, discomfort, and skin tightness ease |
Several months | Incisions finish healing fully |
Source: [1]
Recovery after a chin tuck is generally faster than after a neck lift. Your surgical team will give you instructions based on your surgery and how you are healing. [1]
When should you call a doctor after double chin surgery?
Call your surgical team right away after double chin surgery if you notice signs of infection or other warning symptoms. [1]
Call immediately for:
Bleeding, drainage, redness, or swelling at the incision
Chest pain
Dizziness
Fever higher than 100.5°F (about 38°C)
Severe pain that medicine does not help
Nausea or vomiting [1]
Your surgical team will also tell you when to schedule follow-up visits. [1]
Conclusion
Double chin surgery, whether chin liposuction, a chin tuck, or a neck lift, can reshape the chin and neck, remove excess fat, and smooth the skin. [1] It is still surgery, with real risks and a recovery period, so the right choice depends on your anatomy, goals, and health.
The best next step is a consultation with a plastic surgeon to learn whether you are a good candidate. [1] Before you go, explore our related guides on facelift surgery, the neck lift, and liposuction, and learn more about neck lift surgery from plastic surgery specialists.
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FAQ
What is double chin surgery?
Double chin surgery is a procedure that removes loose skin and extra fat in the chin and neck area. A plastic surgeon may use chin liposuction, a chin tuck, a neck lift, or a combination.
What is the difference between a chin tuck and a neck lift?
A chin tuck focuses only on the chin and upper neck, tightening the skin and removing extra fat. A neck lift is more extensive: it covers the whole neck, removes excess skin, and tightens the muscles.
How much does double chin surgery cost?
Double chin surgery costs about $1,200 to $12,000, depending on the procedure, anesthesia, facility, and surgeon's experience. Most health insurance companies do not cover it.
How long does double chin surgery take?
Double chin surgery lasts 45 minutes to a few hours, depending on the type of procedure. Most people go home the same day.
How long is the recovery after double chin surgery?
Most people return to work and daily activities within one to two weeks. Swelling and bruising last about two weeks, and incisions can take several months to heal fully.
Are there non-surgical options for a double chin?
Yes. Fat-dissolving injections may be an option when there is no excessive fat or loose skin, because the medicine breaks down fat that the body then clears.
What are the risks of double chin surgery?
Risks include bleeding, hematoma, infection, nerve injury, poor wound healing, scarring, uneven results, and anesthesia problems. Some people need follow-up surgery if they do not like the results.
When should I call my doctor after double chin surgery?
Call your surgical team immediately for bleeding, drainage, redness, or swelling at the incision, chest pain, dizziness, fever above 100.5°F, severe pain not helped by medicine, or nausea and vomiting.
Will I need to wear a chin strap after double chin surgery?
Many people wear bandages and a chin strap or compression garment for a while after surgery. It supports the skin and helps reduce swelling, and your surgeon will tell you how long to wear it.
Are double chin surgery results permanent?
Removed fat cells don't come back, so results are often long-lasting. Weight gain and normal aging can still change how your chin and neck look over time.
Related Reading
Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty): A Guide to Contouring and Rejuvenation explains how a neck lift tightens loose neck skin and muscle.
Liposuction: What It Is, Surgery, Recovery, and Results explains how liposuction removes fat and what recovery involves.
Understanding Fat Freezing: A Non-Surgical Path to Body Contouring explains how fat freezing reduces fat without surgery.
Chin Implant: Surgery, Recovery, Risks, and Who It's For explains how a chin implant changes chin shape, with risks.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Double Chin Surgery: Procedure, Risks. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated April 29, 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21534-double-chin-surgery
Cunha KS, Lima F, Cardoso RM. Efficacy and safety of injectable deoxycholic acid for submental fat reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2021;14(3):383-397. PMID: 33523775. https://doi.org/10.1080/17512433.2021.1884070
Chinta SR, Brydges HT, Laspro M, et al. Current Trends in Deep Plane Neck Lifting: A Systematic Review. Ann Plast Surg. 2025;94(2):222-228. PMID: 39652837. https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000004163
ElAbd R, Richa Y, Pu L, et al. Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid use in face and neck lift surgery: A systematic review. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2025;104:369-385. PMID: 40168920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2025.03.038
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with a qualified healthcare provider or plastic surgeon about your own situation before making decisions about surgery.
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