02/18/2026
PART 1: When do I need Liposuction versus a Neck or Facelift?
Liposuction, submentoplasty, or facelift — how do you know which is right for you?
As a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon, I approach the lower face and neck with one principle: treat the actual cause of aging — not just what you see on the surface.
Here’s how I break it down for my patients:
You may be a candidate for liposuction if:
• You have good skin elasticity
• The concern is primarily excess fat under the chin or along the jawline
• Your skin still “snaps back” when gently pulled
• There is minimal muscle banding or structural descent
Liposuction is a contouring procedure. It removes superficial fat and refines the jawline — but it does not tighten muscle or remove excess skin.
You may be a candidate for submentoplasty if:
• You have visible platysmal banding (vertical neck bands)
• There is deeper fat beneath the muscle (subplatysmal fat)
• The heaviness is isolated under the chin
• Skin quality is still relatively strong
Submentoplasty goes a layer deeper. Through a small incision under the chin, we contour deep fat and tighten the platysma muscle — restoring structure without a full facelift.
You may be a candidate for a facelift if:
• There is jowl formation
• Midface descent is present
• Skin laxity extends beyond the central neck
• The jawline has lost definition due to tissue descent
A facelift repositions deeper structures and removes excess skin to restore balance and definition to the lower face and neck.
The key distinction:
Liposuction removes fat.
Submentoplasty tightens muscle and addresses deep fat.
A facelift repositions descended facial structures and removes excess skin.
The art of facial surgery isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what is anatomically correct for your stage of aging.
The goal? Natural. Refined. Structurally sound results — never overdone.
If you’re unsure where you fall on the spectrum, a thorough consultation provides clarity.
☎️ 918-392-0880
📍 Tulsa Surgical Arts & Bella Roma Med Spa
7322 E 91st St
Tulsa, Oklahoma
74133