His assessment made me cringe, but it also gave me hope.
Ive always had a double chin.
It looked like my dads; he calls it the ol Griggs gobble-gobble.
Courtesy of Gabrielle Langdon / Malia Griggs
In my late 20s I started googling things like how to get rid of double chin.
The fat can come back anyway.
This led me to explore chin liposuction.
My marked jawline before the procedure
For roughly the same cost as multiple injectable sessions, lipo can remove the fat forever.
What is chin lipo?
What are the benefits of chin lipo?
Immediately after the surgery
While researching ways to combat a double chin, two nonsurgical options repeatedly cropped up:KybellaandCoolSculpting.
Kybella is an injectable that gradually dissolves fat, while CoolSculpting uses freezing technology to achieve the same goal.
Both typically require atleasttwo treatments.
Bruising and swelling during my first week post-surgery
Surgeons say results are unpredictable, and the fat may return.
The fat cells are permanently removed during chin liposuction, says Dr. Levine.
What are the side effects and risks of chin lipo?
My compression garment
How much does chin lipo cost?
The cost of chin liposuction depends on geography and the specifics of your procedure.
If Id skipped the Renuvion and the anesthesia, it would have come to $7,700.
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
I also spoke with the anesthesiologist ahead of time.
Having both resources eased my nerves going into the day.
In an examination room, I changed into a hospital gown and compression socks.
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
I gazed at my Sharpied face in the mirror, trying to absorb the moment.
They laid me on a cool table in the operating room.
I chose Rihanna, but the anesthesia hit before I heard a single song.
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
I was all woozy and dreamy, like when Ive taken laughing gas at the dentist.
My friend was there to act as my designated pick-up person.
Nothing hurtI just floated, swaddled in a fuzzy blanket (literally).
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
Id also bought stool softeners and a bunch of homeopathic creams and pills like arnica for bruising.
The day after, I took off my bandages before showering to see the results.
I was puffy and bruised but could see more definition along my jawline.
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
The pain was manageable with Tylenol during the first two weeks.
This, while unavoidably annoying, was to help with swelling.
Bruising and swelling during my first week post-surgery
My compression garment
Figuring out food was a challenge.
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
I took off three days total from work, including the surgery day.
Luckily, I work remotely, and my coworkers didnt make me turn my camera on.
It is New York, after all; no one cared.
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
Before and after
Now, the good stuff.
Heres me at various angles before the surgery.
This is one month after.
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
And heres me now, six months out.
For the first time, my chin-security is gone.
I am so pleased with how natural the results aresubtle enough that most people dont realize Ive changed anything.
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
When I look in the mirror now, I dont see my chin; I only seemyself.
A glowy, more confident me.
Most of the time, though, I dont think about my chin at all.
Original photo courtesy of Malia Griggs
Malia Griggs is the commerce editor atGlamour.
