Perceived Age, Health, Attractiveness, and Likeability following Submental Liposuction and Associated Anthropometric Changes

Abstract Background Patients seek submental liposuction to remove excess fat and fullness under the jawline and achieve a more youthful appearance. However, few studies have examined the effect of neck liposuction on perceived age, health, attractiveness, and likeability. The purpose of this study was to quantify the changes in these perceived parameters following submental liposuction and to identify anthropometric changes that correlate with perceived ratings. Methods This study was a retrospective evaluation of 3D preoperative and postoperative photographs of patients who underwent submental liposuction alone or with other facial rejuvenation procedures by the senior author (DS) between 2014 and 2019. The preoperative and postoperative photographs of patients were split into 2 surveys. The pre- and postoperative images were randomized, and the same patient's images were not included in the same survey to avoid recall bias. A total of 148 survey responses were obtained from laypersons with each individual rating perceived age, health, attractiveness, and likeability. Photogrammetric assessment of patient images was completed using 3D VECTRA software (Canfield, Fairfield, NJ). Differences between pre- and postoperative labiomental angle, cervicomental angle, chin-throat distance, and facial angle were recorded. Paired T-tests were used to assess differences pre- and postoperatively. Multivariate regression was utilized to identify the influence of photogrammetric changes on perceived ratings. Results Twelve patients met the study criteria. All received submental liposuction, 67% received concurrent genioplasty, and 33% received simultaneous neck and facelift. After surgery, the cervicomental angle decreased by 7.3° (P = .0171), chin-throat distance increased by 3.9mm (P Conclusion Submental liposuction is effective in reducing perceived patient age. This effect is more pronounced when preformed with neck lift. Furthermore, decrease in labiomental and cervicomental angle are associated with decreased perceived age.