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Original poster

Double chin woes (with photos)

206 replies

DoubleChinWoes · 03/08/2021 22:08

I'm completely depressed about my double chin and chubby face. Whatever I weigh, it doesn't change my face at all. I have no cheekbones and multiple chins.

My friends wedding photos came back today and every single photo of me is ruined by my chins and face. It makes me feel so low.

My side profile is awful, because I have a receding chin and no jaw. My dentist has commented on my jaw, saying I could get it broken and reset but I would need to have my jaw wired shut for weeks and eat through a straw. Hardly practical.

My BMI is within a healthy range (just) but my face just constantly looks awful because it's so chubby. the photos look like someone much heavier than me I think. I don't look like a healthy BMI when you just see my face.

I have had to delete Instagram and Facebook because I obsessively look at plastic surgery accounts and research people who had their profile changed with liposuction and chin implants or fillers. I'm generally anti surgery and wouldn't have the money anyway.

I try to convince myself it doesn't matter. I have good skin, people say I'm a laugh and nice, I have a husband who says I'm gorgeous and kids that appear to adore me (they are 1.5 and 3yrs old so don't know I'm ugly yet).

I have been working from home in a new job since the lockdown first happened so not met anyone in real life. I'm horribly anxious to meet people as I've tried to angle my camera to not show it so obviously.

It's getting worse as I get older (I'm 35) and soon, I'll have saggy skin there too and will end up looking like Kathy Burke. Who I love! She's amazing. But I don't want to look like her, which is probably horrible and vain.

If I can't afford fat freezing, lipo, filler or chin implants, and who knows if these would even help, and losing weight makes no difference my only hope is to start not caring I think.

What am I posting for? I have no idea. Is there something else that can be done? Or do I need to save money for procedures, or let my obsession go somehow?

If you recognise me, please don't tell me or mention it to me in RL. I'm horribly embarrassed.

[Note from MNHQ: we've agreed to remove the pics for the OP, a year or two down the line]

OP posts:
Original poster
DoubleChinWoes · 04/08/2021 16:17

@Chwaraeteg
Someone else told me about the roof of my mouth thing but don't know if I'm doing it wrong. It makes the problem much worse when I try, as it shortens the jaw even more by reaching my tongue up and back so there's even less definition. I wish there was a trick though!

OP posts:
Ozanj · 04/08/2021 16:28

Life’s too short. Just go back to the dentist, get the treatment, and take your life back.

IDontThinkSoNo · 04/08/2021 17:09

Op I genuinely think you have a very very pretty face with just one feature that’s not how you would perhaps choose it. That is all.
Most people have at least one feature which they wouldn’t choose, most of us aren’t supermodels. But that is really all I see in your face, and I’m trying to be critical. Your chin and jaw really aren’t at the level you think they are. They don’t dominate your face, they don’t ruin your face, they aren’t anywhere near as bad as you think. You are a very pretty lady.

MaMelon · 04/08/2021 17:20

You are absolutely gorgeous! Honestly, I think know what you’re seeing but there is nothing there at the level your post suggests there is. Most people have something in their face that they would prefer was different but it’s what makes you you - and a beautiful you at that Smile. I don’t know about you but I don’t analyse people’s faces and think ‘oh yuck, he’s got a big nose’ or ‘that’s a awful set of eyelids she’s got’ - most of us just see the person.

Be wary of committing to surgery. My colleague had it done - her jaw was far more receding than you say yours is and it was a major undertaking involving braces, a broken jaw (which then got infected), a lot of pain and time off work.

Sleepingdogs12 · 04/08/2021 17:21

I know it probably won't help but if I looked like you in photos I would be over the moon, so pretty and natural. I have had to accept I don't look how I wish. I avoid photos as much as possible. I wouldn't have surgery as I feel there are too many things wrong so no point in going down this road. I think if it is affecting you so much maybe think about counselling as you really look way above average!

Sunny4876 · 04/08/2021 17:27

I wouldn't have even registered anything if you had not said.you are beautiful.
I have chins or more like jowls Sad

Orangemochafrappacino · 04/08/2021 17:34

You look absolutely wonderful, honestly. I'd be over the moon to look like you! Please please dont put yourself through such horrible sounding treatment Flowers

Milomonster · 04/08/2021 18:11

My first thought was how pretty and happy you look!
No practical comments to offer.

WeRTheOnesWeHaveBeenWaitingFor · 04/08/2021 19:25

The more I read your updates the more I think you don’t have a jaw/chin problem you have a family problem. Next time your sister says something bitchy call her out. I’m a lot less attractive than you and I can’t imagine my sister pointing out my flaws.

Original poster
DoubleChinWoes · 04/08/2021 19:56

@Sunny4876

I wouldn't have even registered anything if you had not said.you are beautiful. I have chins or more like jowls Sad
You have absolutely gorgeous lips that I would love! I can tell the camera angle isn't helping you there either and we could all sit on the sofa and look down at the camera (my photos were professionally wedding photos which have helped me look better than if I took a photo too!). We should both listen to people when they say no-one notices what we see. You've said I'm beautiful and we have the same body hang up. I think the same about you, so perhaps it's true we are our own worst enemies!). I definitely wouldn't think of jowls if I saw you in the street
OP posts:
ReluctantEarlyRiser · 04/08/2021 21:37

You're very pretty and look a lot younger than your years!

There are loads of things I could 'improve' or 'tweak' with surgery but honestly, in my mid-30s, everyone knows what I look like now, why bother?! You also have a husband who obviously finds you attractive. He certainly won't be the only one!

It made me really sad to hear you say that you're kids haven't realised you're ugly yet. If nothing else, you need to improve your self confidence for them else they will grow up scrutinising themselves in the same way. Fake it til you make it! I bet one of your children will have inherited your looks and yet you will look at them and realise how beautiful they are. Try and do the same for yourself! You would never look at a friend and be so mean about their perceived flaws.

No one likes their side profile by the way. I think because you never really see yourself like that !

rubydoobydoo · 04/08/2021 23:09

OP, you look lovely!

I totally understand how you feel, I have the exact opposite problem - my jaw is bony and prominent and my chin sticks out. I'd have surgery in a shot if it even exists or I could somehow find the money! If only we could somehow meet in the middle!

I sometimes envy men and their ability to grow beards - it must cover a multitude of jaw issues Grin

HappyKatieA · 05/08/2021 09:50

I went to the orthodontist yesterday as I want to get this exact problem fixed.
OP, I looked at your photos and was struck by how similar I looked to you at that age - I'm now almost 50.
Mine has got worse as I've got older, and I've lost teeth that I shouldn't have, the orthodontist feels it's because my bite / jaw is so misaligned and this has caused problems.
She recommended that I have the surgery, my overbite is just over 10mm, and she thinks it may worsen.
I'm going to get it, I know I shouldn't focus on this one thing when I look in the mirror, but I do, and with the ageing process it's causing me to have awful jowls and sagging - more than is normal.
I know it's drastic, but I'm doing it for me.
I know others probably don't even notice my receding chin, but I do, and I feel increasingly sad about how I look as the years go on.
I just wish someone had been as honest with me 10, 20 or 30 years ago when I knew that it bothered me as I could have had it fixed when I was younger!

Mischance · 05/08/2021 09:54

Absolutely nothing at all needs fixing. Your OH thinks you are great - but he will get bored listening to you grinding on about this, so I would zip the lip if I were you.

Photos are a total pain - I think I look half way OK in real life, but I photograph very badly. Blame the photographer!

Please do not waste your life ruminating on something that does not exist. And stay off Zoom! - we all look crap on there.

waterlego · 05/08/2021 10:00

I haven’t read all the comments, but enough to see that everyone else is seeing what I’m seeing: a really attractive woman. You are way prettier than me, and the sort of woman whose looks I would envy if I met you in RL (not in an unpleasant, jealous way, just: ‘wow, I would like to have a face like hers!’)

By all means speak to your dentist about the jaw issue if you really want to pursue it, but I would think it unnecessary. I can’t imagine there are many people looking at you and seeing what you see.

Moreover, stay away from the Social Media stuff for a while as it sounds like it is feeding your anxiety. 💐

MrsMaizel · 05/08/2021 10:23

@DoubleChinWoes get another opinion from a different dentist if you are looking at this route .

picklemewalnuts · 05/08/2021 10:42

There is a chiropractor in london that does something about this. My friends son had it. Took a few years and he was still growing. I don't know whether it's easier or harder if you are an adult.

Mischance · 05/08/2021 11:19

This is Body Dysmorphia. Truly you look fine; but when people have this mental health they are unable to be objective about it.

Talk to your doc.

Myusernameisnotmyusernameno · 05/08/2021 11:22

Honestly I think you look lovely and have a really nice smile. Please be nicer to yourself as you don't have anything to worry about and certainly do not need surgery.

piperatthegates · 05/08/2021 12:03

@JaffacakeJanine

I think you look really lovely, you should try and be kinder to yourself! I think we are our own worst critics, I myself always zoom in on my problem areas!

On a more constructive note, I had smart lipo a number of years back for a similar issue, it did help a little bit, but then I gained weight and the double chin returned 🤣 it's less invasive than regular lipo and was done in like an hour, so maybe something you could think about if it's really bringing you down.

Hi @JaffacakeJanine, sorry to hijack the ops thread but could you possibly either reply or pm me with where you had your smart lipo done please. Looking to have it myself but recommendation is always best, Smile
Aztec283y · 05/08/2021 13:18

For those of you with a receding jaw-does it affect how you chew? I'm really self conscious when I eat as it makes me naturally eat with my mouth open (which I only do in private). It feels really uncomfortable for me to eat with my mouth closed. Same with breathing, I have to consciously breathe through my nose. My natural default setting it mouth breathing.

FortunesFave · 06/08/2021 21:59

@Mischance

This is Body Dysmorphia. Truly you look fine; but when people have this mental health they are unable to be objective about it.

Talk to your doc.

Are you a doctor? It's not body dysmorphia ffs. OP has a receeding chin...it's a condition which can affect people's bite and also can cause headaches and other issues. The fact that she doesn't like the way it looks is another issue.
readingismycardio · 07/08/2021 05:11

OP, you are beautiful!!! You made such a horrible description of yourself!

annie335 · 07/08/2021 06:06

You are really pretty and I'm not just saying that!

mrstrickland · 07/08/2021 10:00

You are bloody gorgeous! nothing at all wrong with how you look
Does anyone actually like their side profile? I have a big nose, and seem to tuck my chin in, giving myself a double chin. BUT, having spoken to friends, it seems they all feel the same about their side profile. My kids have taken some wicked photos of me when I haven't been looking (DELETE!).
Anyway, the point is that there is not a thing wrong with you. With everyone its all about the angles and just delete any photos you don't like!!!!

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