Chin Liposuction (Genioplasty)

What is Chin Liposuction?

Chin liposuction (also known as genioplasty) is a surgical procedure which improves the shape and/or positioning of your chin. The surgery is predominantly performed by maxillofacial surgeons (mouth and jaw surgeons) but can also be performed by plastic surgeons.

What does Chin Liposuction Involve?

Genioplasty procedures are carried out from inside your mouth, meaning that there will be no visible scarring. A small incision is made through your gum on the inside of your lower lip, this allows access to your lower jaw bone and chin. Your chin is then cut and a small break is made to allow your surgeon to gently manoeuvre it into its new position.

Once your surgeon has successfully moved your chin into its new position, it will be held in place with small metal plates and screws. Your gum where your incision was made is then stitched back into place with dissolvable stitches. These will naturally fall out within after a few weeks.

Genioplasty takes place under general anaesthetic and is commonly combined with other corrective surgery on the jaw, neck or face (these options can be discussed with your surgeon during your consultation).

What are the Benefits of Chin Liposuction?

Genioplasty is predominantly viewed as cosmetic surgery as the benefits are entirely aesthetic. Genioplasty is used to help transform the appearance of a patient’s chin, jaw or jawline in order to improve the symmetry and proportions of the face. It is not uncommon for this type of procedure to be partnered with rhinoplasty, as changing the shape of your chin or jaw may impact the perceived appearance of your nose. However, this is entirely subjective and rhinoplasty is not compulsory.

In some cases, genioplasty may also be combined with mentoplasty, a surgical procedure which involves altering the jaw’s bone structure. Mentoplasty can be used for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, depending on your requirements. Alternatively, if you’re looking to add projection to your chin, your surgeon may suggest silicone implants. Conversely, you can also reduce the size of your chin by removing bone.

Reconstructive chin surgery: If you’re considering surgery on your chin to help with chewing, speech or comfort, this will need to be discussed with your surgeon during your consultation. These operations are deemed as reconstructive as opposed to cosmetic and range in complexity depending on the patient’s individual needs.

For more information, we would be delighted if you wanted to arrange a consultation with us. You can call the Helpline for free and professional advice.

This article was written by The McIndoe Centre, in collaboration with Paul Banwell BSc MB BS FRCS (Eng) FRCS (Plast) Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. All information, advice and procedures were updated on 17th September 2019.

Chin Liposuction FAQs

How Much is Chin Liposuction?

Genioplasty costs naturally range depending on each patient’s individual requirements. However, you can expect to pay anywhere between £1,800 to £3,500. The surgeons that are able to perform genioplasty at The McIndoe Centre are:

All consultants at The McIndoe Centre are fully accredited and are on the specialist register of the General Medical Council. A number of our consultants who specialise in plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery are also members of leading professional bodies such as BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons) or BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons).

As this is elective surgery, it’s unlikely that it will be covered by your insurance. However, The McIndoe Centre is able to help with financing genioplasty. For more information on our payment process, please call us on 01342 488054.

Chin Liposuction Aftercare

Although genioplasty does seem an intensive surgery, your aftercare routine is simple to follow. To remove the threat of infection, you will be prescribed post-surgery antibiotics through a vein in your arm during your short stay in the hospital (you will likely remain overnight). You will be discharged once the new position of your chin has been X-rayed to ensure a healthy recovery.

It’s likely you will experience discomfort in your jaw immediately after surgery. This is entirely natural and regular painkillers will be arranged for you. The pain will be most noticeable a few days after surgery, but this will get better over time, with most patients reporting that the pain disappears completely after a few weeks. Your prescribed painkillers will help with the pain and you will also be set a course of antibiotics to ensure a full recovery.

Eating After Chin Liposuction

Genioplasty naturally affects the shape and therefore the movement of your jaw, so this will take some getting used to. Despite the intensity of the surgery, you should not experience any major discomfort or problems when eating. Eating a diet of soft food will help reduce stress on your jaw, but this varies from patient to patient.

Complications of Chin Liposuction

It is our duty to ensure all our patients are aware of the potential complications that come with surgery. Complications regarding chin liposuction, fortunately, are very rare. However, it is important that you are made aware of them before opting for the procedure.

Bleeding - in some cases, you may encounter minor bleeding from the small cuts made inside your mouth. It’s unlikely you will experience severe bleeding but should it occur, all that’s required is swabbing and applying pressure to the area for around 10 minutes.

Numbness - some patients have experienced numbness in their bottom lip because of the small incision. You may also feel a slight tingling sensation in the area after the operation. The numbness may take weeks or even months to disappear but this varies from patient to patient.

Infection - in rare cases, the small plates and screws used to hold your chin in its new position may become infected. If this does happen, it’s usually several months after surgery and is rarely a cause for concern as they will simply need to be removed.