Mama June’s astounding makeover — as documented in her most recent TV series, From Not to Hot — included procedures to lift and sculpt her double chin.
Fans of TLC’s Toddlers and Tiaras — you know who you are — remember child beauty pageant contestant Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson and her mother, Mama June Shannon. The mother-daughter duo were clearly the breakout stars of the series, even earning their own reality show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.
Back then, Mama June was a very large woman. But if you’ve seen her most recent reality show on WEtv, Mama June: From Not to Hot, you know that’s no longer the case.
She decided to lose the weight after finding out that her ex-boyfriend, Mike “Sugar Bear” Thompson, cheated on her. (The two tried to work out their issues on yet another reality show, Marriage Bootcamp.)
After weight loss surgery, Mama June shed an incredible 300 pounds.
From Not to Hot documents her journey, as well as the total transformation she underwent afterwards to get rid of hanging fat and excess skin. This included procedures to lift and sculpt her signature double chin.
How Mama June Lost Her Turkey Gobble
There are several ways to reduce unwanted fat and improve skin tone under the neck. The most common and minimally-invasive procedures are Coolsculpting’s CoolMini applicator, and fat-melting Kybella injections.
Beverly Hills, CA plastic surgeon Dr. Sheila Nazarian performed the Coolsculpting CoolMini procedure on Mama June’s neck for Inside Edition.
“We used two CoolMini applicators and overlapped them in the center of Mama June’s double chin, says Nazarin. “It looked like a stiff stick of butter after the treatment, which is the fat that we targeted. That’s how we know it works.”
“This unique fat removal system delivers controlled cooling, targeting stubborn and resisting fat cells right under the skin,” the surgeon explains. “Within just one treatment, you can start seeing a sleeker, more toned area. Each CoolSculpting treatment decreases the number of fat cell by approximately twenty percent. It’s completely non-invasive and non-surgical, so you can expect to return to normal activities right after a session.”
Liposuction is another, more invasive fat reduction option. An anesthetic is administered, and tiny incisions are made through which the surgeon then suctions out fatty deposits.
In some cases, liposuction can truly make the patient look slimmer and more youthful, sculpting the submental (under chin) area for an improved contour. But it’s not for everyone.
“Liposuction will work best when the patient has a moderate amount of excess fat and reasonably good skin quality,” says New York City facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sam Rizk. “If the skin is thin and has lost its ability to snap back, a neck lift procedure will yield the best outcome.”
Lifting Sagging Skin
“Most patients’ concerns with the appearance of the neck can be categorized into three key issues: excess fat either from weight gain or aging, muscle banding due to lax muscles, and excess skin or skin laxity,” says Rizk.
After massive weight loss, a series of non-invasive skin tightening treatments can provide dramatic results. Treatments such as Ultherapy, which employs ultrasound energy, can firm up the area under the chin where sagging skin remains. Radiofrequency energy systems such as Venus Freeze are another popular option for skin firming.
But in Mama June’s case, there was no escaping surgery — a neck lift was eventually performed to address concerns that no-knife treatments couldn’t possibly fix.
Mama June is not alone, according to New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Mark H. Schwartz.
“Attaining your weight loss goals may also leave you with excess hanging skin and tissue,” says Dr. Schwartz. “In some cases, a series of surgeries may be needed to reshape the body from the neck to the legs. These procedures are often done in stages to minimize risks and keep recovery time manageable for the patient.”
The Best Option
Regardless of how you feel about Mama June, shows like From Not to Hot do a service by educating the public on the astounding results that can be attained through cosmetic surgery. These procedures are the only real way to remove excess skin after extreme weight loss.
Just remember that there’s no “one size fits all” approach — if you are concerned about stubborn fat and excess skin under your chin or in any other area, be sure to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon who is well versed in all the treatment options.
After a frank discussion about your goals, budget, and tolerance for downtime, your surgeon will be able to make a strong recommendation about what procedure or combination of treatments may be best for you.