Merchant City Medical Group offers surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures, from our state of the art clinics throughout the UK & Europe.

Double Chin Removal & Facial Fat Transfer

Transform your facial profile with advanced double chin removal and facial fat transfer in Edinburgh. Remove stubborn neck fat and restore youthful cheek volume with natural-looking results from our experienced plastic surgeons.

Procedure overview

TYPE OF ANAESTHETIC

Local (fat injections, neck liposuction when done alone), General (when combined with other procedures)

LENGTH OF SURGERY

1–2 Hours

HOSPITAL STAY

0–1 Day

RECOVERY

Few days to 2 weeks off work, 3-6 weeks before strenuous exercise

Procedure Types

Micro-liposuction removes excess fat to improve jawline definition and reduce double chins. Younger patients with good skin quality may see dramatic results with liposuction alone. In cases of loose skin after fat removal, combining liposuction with a lower neck facelift may be necessary.

Also known as lipomodelling, fat cell grafting, or Coleman fat injection, this technique transfers fat from one part of the body (commonly abdomen, buttocks, or thighs) to the face. After careful preparation, fat is injected to restore volume, typically in the cheeks for a youthful contour. Fat transfer is natural and long-lasting, though some absorption may occur, occasionally requiring a repeat procedure. It can be performed alone or alongside other facial surgeries.

Commonly Asked Questions

You may be a candidate if you have excess fat under the chin and neck with good-quality skin. If your skin is too loose, liposuction alone may worsen the appearance.

Some swelling and bruising are normal after the procedure and usually settle within 7–10 days.

Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area. Tiny 2mm incisions allow a small cannula to remove excess fat. The procedure takes 10–20 minutes, requires no stitches, and small dressings are applied. It is usually performed as a walk-in, walk-out procedure under local anaesthetic.

 

Scarring is minimal and barely perceptible due to the tiny size of the incisions.

Chin augmentation with fillers or implants can improve jawline definition, especially if the chin is weak. A formal neck lift may be recommended if the skin is loose or wrinkled. Chin augmentation can also be combined with neck liposuction for enhanced results.

In some cases, yes—if skin elasticity is good and there is no muscle separation. However, a tummy tuck is usually recommended when excess skin or muscle repair is needed.

What to Expect

Cheek volume is immediately enhanced after the procedure, partly due to swelling. Over the next six months, swelling settles and approximately 50% of the injected fat may be naturally reabsorbed, with long-term results stabilising thereafter.

You may notice visible improvement in your neck contour by around four weeks, though final results typically take 5–6 months to fully appear. Outcomes vary depending on skin elasticity (better retraction in younger patients) and the amount of existing fat in the neck.

What are the risks?

Some injected fat may form temporary lumps that generally settle over time. In rare cases, fat necrosis can develop, causing lumps, redness, or discharge, which may take several months to resolve.

Neck liposuction must be performed carefully, as overly aggressive treatment can cause uneven contours or indentations. Rarely, bruising to the nerve controlling the corner of the mouth may occur, usually resolving within days to weeks. In unsuitable patients, the procedure can result in loose or sagging skin.

Excellence Record

Merchant City Medical Group is proud to be one of the leading providers of Hair Transplant Surgeries and Medical Aesthetics within the UK and Europe. With our extensive team of expert surgeons, nurse practitioners and consultants, you will be met with the utmost dedication and compassion throughout your journey with us.

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Cosmetic Procedure Screening Questionnaire

It can be used as a screening questionnaire to tell whether you might have BDD.

1) How often do you do you deliberately check your feature(s)? Not accidentally catch sight of it. Please include looking at your feature in a mirror or other reflective surfaces like a shop window or looking at it directly or feeling it with your fingers.
2) To what extent do you feel your feature(s) are currently ugly, unattractive or ‘not right’?
3) To what extent does your feature(s) currently cause you a lot of distress?
4) How often does your feature(s) currently lead you to avoid situations or activities?
5) To what extent does your feature(s) currently preoccupy you? That is, you think about it a lot and it is hard to stop thinking about it?
6) If you have a partner, to what extent does your feature(s) currently have an effect on your relationship with an existing partner? (e.g. affectionate feelings, number of arguments, enjoying activities together). If you do not have a partner, to what extent does your feature(s) currently have an effect on dating or developing a relationship?
7) To what extent does your feature(s) currently interfere with your ability to work or study, or your role as a homemaker? (Please rate this even if you are not working or studying: we are interested in your ability to work or study.)
8) To what extent does your feature(s) currently interfere with your social life? (with other people, e.g. parties, pubs, clubs, outings, visits, home entertainment)
9) To what extent, do you feel your appearance is the most important aspect of who you are?

Do I have BDD?

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

You have scored 0

When you score more than 40 points, this is an indication that you likely have Body Dysmorphic Disorder. However, this is not a formal diagnosis. This test can also be used after a treatment to see if symptoms have improved.

What now?

For more information on BDD and support, you can contact us.

If you are a UK resident, we suggest:

    • reaching out to your GP for more help
    • self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies.

When speaking to a health professional, you may present your clinic history or a printed form to clearly outline the symptoms you’ve experienced.