Surgery · Treatment Comparison

Double Chin Liposuction vs Fat Dissolving Injection

One operation, or a short course of injections

Gangnam, Seoul | Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Jonghwan Choi
KHIDI-registered for international patients · Apgujeong Rewind

Liposuction vs Injection Liposuction vs Injection Liposuction vs Injection Liposuction vs Injection 
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Double chin liposuction vs fat dissolving injection

Double chin liposuction or a fat dissolving injection: which fits your chin?

The short answer

The two treat the same fat by different means, and they overlap less than it first appears. Double chin liposuction removes the fat layer under the chin in one operation through a short incision, and at Rewind the same session can extend to the neck muscle, the fat beneath it and an enlarged gland. A fat dissolving injection, which Rewind calls a contour injection, places a preparation into a defined pocket of fat so that the fat cells there break down over the following weeks. The clinic's material puts the clearest change after two to three sessions, with no anaesthesia and no stitches. The injection can only reach fat; surgery can reach fat, muscle and gland.

Sources: Rewind's Korean pages for facial liposuction with double chin muscle tightening and for the contour injection. The clinic does not name the injected preparation's active ingredient, so this page does not name one either.

Neither treatment is superior in general. A small, soft pocket of fat in someone with firm skin and a firm neck muscle is the injection's territory, and an operation would add little for that person. A larger volume, fat resting on a slack muscle, or fullness that turns out to be a gland is territory the injection cannot reach at all.

Both treatments on this page are offered by Rewind itself. Dr. Jonghwan Choi performs the surgery and also prescribes the injection, so the comparison is between two tools in the same room.

Dr. Jonghwan Choi assessing the fullness under a patient's jaw at consultation
Fig. 01 · Which tool fits depends on what the fullness is made of
Result

Before & After

Two Rewind surgical cases for the operative side of the comparison

No injection photographs appear on this page; both cases below are surgical. They combined liposuction with platysma tightening, a kind of change an injection course is not designed to produce. Read them as the surgical side of the comparison and as nothing more.

Rewind surgical patients · chin and neck

Before: jaw line and chin liposuction with platysma tightening, side profile After: jaw line and chin liposuction with platysma tightening, side profile BEFOREAFTER
case 01
Jaw line and chin liposuction with platysma tightening
Individual results may vary.
Before: chin liposuction with platysma tightening and subplatysmal fat removal, side profile After: chin liposuction with platysma tightening and subplatysmal fat removal, side profile BEFOREAFTER
case 02
Chin liposuction, platysma tightening and removal of fat beneath the muscle
Individual results may vary.

Surgical patients of Rewind Plastic Surgery, photographed at the clinic; each caption lists the full operation. Individual results may vary. Surgery can cause bruising, swelling, altered sensation and scarring, and the choice between routes begins with a consultation.

Reach

What each can reach

Fat, muscle, deep fat and gland: what an injection reaches and what surgery reaches

Fullness under the jaw has four possible sources. Rewind's contour-injection workflow reads fat thickness, the deeper fat and the gland by ultrasound before a plan is made, because only one of the four responds to an injection.

source 01
Fat between skin and muscle
Injection: yes, in a defined pocket, over two to three sessions. Surgery: yes, in one operation, together with the jaw line.
source 02
A slackened platysma
Injection: no effect, since it does not act on muscle. Surgery: drawn together and tied in the combined operation.
source 03
Fat beneath the muscle
Injection: out of reach. Surgery: lifted out by hand as a deep addition, through the same incision under the chin.
source 04
An enlarged gland
Injection: no effect. Surgery: partly reduced where it pushes below the jaw line, after a separate explanation.
Course

Side by side

How liposuction and a fat dissolving course compare, stage by stage

The two routes differ at almost every stage between the first visit and the final result. The ladder below follows a patient through each stage.

01Assessment

Both begin with the same question

What is the fullness made of? For the injection route, Rewind reads fat thickness, deep fat and the gland by ultrasound. For surgery, the neck is also examined relaxed and tensed to judge the muscle.

02Anaesthesia

None for the injection, confirmed at consultation for surgery

Rewind's contour-injection material states that no anaesthesia is used. For liposuction the anaesthetic method is not published, and the surgeon sets it for your plan.

03Treatment

Many small deposits, or one operation

The injection is placed densely across the fat layer in a short appointment. Liposuction removes that layer through a short incision under the chin, with muscle, deep fat or gland work added where indicated.

04Sessions

Two to three visits, or one

Rewind's material puts the clearest injection change after two to three sessions, depending on the amount of fat. Surgery is a single operation, and a second one is not planned in advance.

05Days after

A few days, or a few weeks

After an injection, mild swelling or stinging usually settles within days and daily life resumes at once. After surgery, a compression dressing is worn for a week and restrictions run for up to a month.

06Result

Gradual, or once the swelling settles

Injected fat cells break down and are cleared over the following weeks, so each session is judged at review. After surgery the volume is removed at once, while the final line appears as the swelling fades.

Dr. Jonghwan Choi examining a patient at the consultation desk
Fig. 02 · One consultation weighs both routes
Rewind

Why the choice is made here

Why a plastic surgery clinic sometimes recommends the injection for a double chin

Rewind offers both routes under one roof, and the recommendation follows the finding under the chin. Three positions shape how that recommendation is made.

01Small pocket

A soft, limited fullness goes to the injection first

Where the fat is modest, the skin is firm and the muscle is sound, an injection course is a reasonable first step, and that is what is discussed before any operation.

02Structure

Muscle or gland findings go to surgery

When the examination shows a slack platysma, deep fat or an enlarged gland, an injection course would be paid for without reaching the cause, so the conversation moves to surgery.

03Stop point

Injections that have stopped working are not simply repeated

If two to three sessions have not moved the line, the fullness is re-examined before anything more is offered. That review is where some patients learn surgery was the relevant option.

Treatment room at Rewind Plastic Surgery, Apgujeong
Fig. 03 · A treatment room at the Apgujeong clinic
Rooms

Where each happens

Where each double chin treatment takes place at Rewind

Operating room at Rewind Plastic Surgery, Apgujeong

Fig. 04 · The operating room, where liposuction is performed

Draped preparation in the procedure room before surgery

Fig. 05 · Preparation before a surgical case

Both treatments happen at Rewind on the fourth and fifth floors of the Richro Building in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul, and both are planned by the medical director. Liposuction takes place in the operating room. The contour injection is given in a treatment room, without anaesthesia and with no stitches to remove, and you leave the clinic free to carry on with your day.

Injection: no anaesthesia, no stitches
Injection: two to three sessions typical
Injection: daily life resumes at once
Surgery: incision under the chin, about 2 cm
Surgery: compression dressing for one week
Both: planned by Dr. Jonghwan Choi
Dr. Jonghwan Choi, board-certified plastic surgeon

Board-certified plastic surgeon

Dr. Jonghwan Choi, certified by the Korean board in Plastic Surgery, performs chin liposuction and also prescribes the contour injection, so one doctor weighs both routes. Rewind is KHIDI-registered for international patients, Reg. M-2025-01-08-09288.

Cost

Pricing

Double chin liposuction vs fat dissolving injection: listed prices

The two are priced in different units. The injection is listed per appointment volume, and a course usually runs to two to three appointments. Surgery is listed per operation.

Contour injection, 15 ccPer appointment; a course is typically two to three
₩150,000
Chin and jaw line liposuctionOne operation, fat layer only
₩1,760,000
Liposuction with platysma tighteningOne operation, fat plus the neck muscle
₩5,390,000

Listed prices, VAT excluded, with any anaesthetic fee counted inside. Larger injection volumes and combined surgical plans are quoted at consultation.

How many injection sessions equal one liposuction? There is no fixed exchange rate. A course of two to three appointments at ₩150,000 each is aimed at a modest pocket of fat, while ₩1,760,000 pays for removal of the whole fat layer under the chin and jaw line in one operation. Once the muscle is involved, no number of injection sessions reaches it.

Fit

Which one suits you

Which suits a small double chin, and which suits a large one

The injection route tends to suit

  • A small, soft pocket of fat under the chin
  • Firm skin and a neck muscle that does not sag when relaxed
  • A wish to avoid an incision and a surgical recovery
  • Patience for two to three appointments spaced over time

Surgery is discussed, or treatment declined, when

  • The fullness is large or spreads along the jaw line
  • The platysma shows bands or has slackened
  • Ultrasound or examination points to deep fat or an enlarged gland
  • An earlier injection course did not move the line
  • Weight is still changing, or health factors make either route unsuitable
After

Recovery compared

Recovery after fat dissolving injections compared with liposuction

The difference in downtime is the main reason people ask about injections, and it is real. It is also the reason to be clear about what each route can reach before choosing on recovery alone.

Injection, day one
Straight back to the day
Mild swelling or stinging is expected. Avoid rubbing or pressing the area, and skip alcohol, sauna and hard exercise for one day.
Injection, days two to three
Swelling eases
Light swelling usually settles within two to three days. The change in the fat builds over the following weeks, before the next session.
Surgery, week one
Dressing on
A compression dressing is worn for a week after liposuction. Bruising and swelling are expected, with an early return to ordinary activity.
Surgery, month one
Restrictions lift
Strenuous exercise, sauna and alcohol are avoided for a month, with added rules for the neck if the muscle was tightened.

Injection risks include swelling, bruising, tenderness, nodules and, rarely, nerve injury or skin damage; one of the reviews listed below covers how serious reactions are managed. Surgical risks include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, contour irregularity, altered sensation and scarring. Results vary between individuals.

Doctor

Professional

At Rewind, one board-certified plastic surgeon carries every case — from the first consultation to the final follow-up. Because a face is a story, and a story deserves a single author.

Dr. Jonghwan Choi, board-certified plastic surgeonRewind,
Dr. Jonghwan Choi presenting at an academic session
Fig. 06 — Academic presentation, thread-lifting session

Rewind's Doctor

Dr. Jonghwan Choi Medical Director

One surgeon, from the first
consultation to the last follow-up.

A board-certified plastic surgeon devoted to anti-aging lifting — with the precision and restraint built through years of craniofacial practice.

Board-certified plastic surgeon (Plastic Surgery)
10 peer-reviewed publications
Medical Director, Rewind Plastic Surgery
Korean Society of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons
Former chief director, Apgujeong Y&T Plastic Surgery
Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
J Craniofac Surg · JKMS · Arch Craniofac Surg
Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
Ask

Questions

Liposuction or injections for a double chin: questions answered

Is double chin liposuction more effective than fat dissolving injections?
It depends on what the fullness is made of. For a small, soft pocket of fat, a short injection course can be enough. For a larger volume, a slack neck muscle, deep fat or an enlarged gland, surgery reaches structures an injection cannot. The examination decides which applies.
How many injection sessions equal one liposuction session?
There is no direct equivalent. Rewind puts the clearest injection change after two to three sessions for a modest pocket of fat, while liposuction removes the whole fat layer in one operation. Where muscle or gland is involved, no number of sessions substitutes for surgery.
Which suits a small versus a large double chin?
A small, soft fullness with firm skin and a sound muscle suits the injection route. A large fullness, fat spreading along the jaw line, or a neck that sags when relaxed suits liposuction, with platysma tightening added where the muscle has slackened.
Which preparation does Rewind inject for a double chin?
Rewind's material describes a preparation that acts on fat cells and states that it contains no steroid, but it does not name the active ingredient. Ask at consultation which product is proposed. Most published trials in this area study deoxycholic acid, and they do not describe Rewind's product.
Does either option need downtime?
The injection needs very little: daily life resumes straight away, with a day off alcohol, sauna and hard exercise. Liposuction needs a week in a compression dressing and up to a month of restrictions, although ordinary daily activity returns early.
Can injections be tried first and surgery chosen later?
Yes, where the examination finds a fat pocket that an injection can reach. If two to three sessions do not move the line, the fullness is reassessed, and surgery is discussed at that point with the earlier course taken into account.
Is the change from either route long-lasting?
For surgery, Rewind records durability of more than five years, varying between individuals. The injection reduces the number of fat cells in the treated pocket and is intended to hold while weight stays stable; the clinic publishes no duration figure for it.
Which one costs less overall?
Per visit, the injection at ₩150,000 is far lower than liposuction at ₩1,760,000. Over a course of two to three sessions the gap narrows, and if the fullness turns out to need surgery anyway, the injection course becomes an added cost. Both figures exclude VAT.
Voices

Google Reviews

What our patients say.

G 5.0 ★★★★★ 51 Google reviews · Rewind Plastic Surgery, Apgujeong — live-synced from Google Business Profile
★★★★★

Came to REWIND to get my facial treatment and i'm absolutely obsessed about it💞 the doctor is so kind and is an expert! Everyone must visit!

YunHee Hong2 weeks ago
★★★★★

There are just way too many cosmetic clinics in Korea and I'm so happy I found Rewind Clinic in Gangnam. Dr. Choi was so kind and patient while explaining the different face-lifting options, from threads to mini-lifts to deep-plane lifts…

J. S.5 months ago
★★★★★

I found Rewind clinic through a Korean chat forum and many local clients highly recommended it. The clinic is brand new, featuring large, clean rooms and many private waiting areas so it doesn't give off that "factory" clinic vibe. All the…

J. Siou5 months ago
★★★★★

Really nice environment. Doctor is easy to communicate and understands my visions. Waited two weeks to make a review and I confirm the results exceeded my expectations and I am super happy with it. Can't wait to come back!! :))

Kristie Chu5 months ago
★★★★★

I received a thread lift at Rewind Plastic Surgery. The clinic was clean and the atmosphere was comfortable. The consultation was thorough, and I felt confident because they kindly explained everything tailored to my facial condition. They…

한주연2 weeks ago · Translated by Google
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Location
Apgujeong, Gangnam
4F & 5F, Richro Building,
812 Nonhyeon-ro,
Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Hours
Mon·Tue·Wed·Fri 10:00–19:00
Sat 10:00–16:00
Closed Sundays & Thursdays
Lunch 12:00–13:00
Consultation
In your language
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Interpreter-assisted
consultations available
Registration
KHIDI Registered
Registered institution for
international patients
Reg. M-2025-01-08-09288

Scientific evidence

Published research on submental fat removal by surgery and by injection

The injection papers examine deoxycholic acid, a specific drug tested in a randomised phase 3 trial, and a systematic review of how its serious adverse events are managed. They are not studies of the preparation Rewind uses, whose active ingredient the clinic does not publish. The surgical papers report a large series of submental liposuction, the muscle-band problem that can follow fat removal alone, and a small case series. None of them describes Rewind patients.