Face Lift

Facial Liposuction: Frequently Asked Questions

Facial liposuction can make it look like you have lost a few pounds. If you are thinking about facial liposuction, you probably have lots of questions and you may have some concerns. Here are answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions about facial liposuction:

  1. What is facial liposuction?
  2. Are facial liposuction results permanent?
  3. What does a typical facial liposuction consultation entail?
  4. How is facial liposuction performed?
  5. Where are the incisions made, and are there any scars?
  6. What should I expect postoperatively?
  7. Is facial liposuction painful? Is there much bruising?
  8. When will I be able to return to work?
  9. When will I be able to see the results?
  10. What are the risks of facial liposuction?
  11. Are there other options for removing facial fat?

 

1. What is facial liposuction?

Facial liposuction can vacuum out a few ounces of fat under the chin and jawline — and the loss of those few ounces may make it look like you've dropped several pounds. Facial liposuction can be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic techniques, such as a face lift or chin augmentation. If you have a double chin or chubbiness around your lower face, you may be a candidate for facial liposuction

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2. Are facial liposuction results permanent?

To a certain degree, yes, facial liposuction results are permanent. Although the fat cells sucked out will never return, the fat under your chin might come back if you gain weight. (Liposuction, in any application, is not to be used for weight loss.)

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3. What does a typical facial liposuction consultation entail?

A facial liposuction consultation is your chance to sit down with a plastic surgeon and discuss your goals. You lay out what you'd like to achieve aesthetically, and he or she explains what can be accomplished realistically with facial liposuction. During your consultation for facial liposuction, the surgeon should examine your face and underlying bone structure, especially around the chin and jawline, to determine how much fat can be removed. The surgeon should also provide you with information about how the procedure is performed, its cost, risks and what to expect after treatment.

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4. How is facial liposuction performed?

Facial liposuction is usually performed under light sedation plus local anesthesia, or possibly general anesthesia if you are having other facial procedures done at the same time. Small incisions are made within the natural folds under the chin or jawline. Using a cannula (thin tube), the surgeon breaks up the fat and suctions it out through the incisions. Sometimes a tumescent technique is used where a solution of sterile saline, lidocaine (anesthetic) and epinephrine (vasoconstrictor to reduce bleeding) are injected into the targeted area, engorging the tissues for a firmer working area. There is also a liposuction technique that involves ultrasound. The sound waves liquefy the fat cells, making it easier to remove them by suction. At the end of the procedure, sutures are used to close the incisions and a support garment is applied.

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5. Where are the incisions made, and are there any scars?

The incisions are usually made within the natural folds of the face, under the jawline or chin. Scars are usually inconspicuous.

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6. What should I expect postoperatively?

Recovery after facial liposuction is less grueling than after a more invasive facial rejuvenation procedure, like a facelift, but you should expect some discomfort, swelling and bruising. Your surgeon should be able to recommend an analgesic for discomfort as well as something to help with the swelling and bruising (Arnica and Bromelain are two homeopathic remedies that are often used.)

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7. Is facial liposuction painful? Is there much bruising?

You may experience moderate discomfort with facial liposuction. Take your pain medication as prescribed by your surgeon. Bruising, like pain, is very individualized. Swelling may be more of an issue; it generally takes about 10 days for it to subside. Wearing the compression garment or bandage prescribed by your surgeon will help.

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8. When will I be able to return to work?

Most people plan to take off a week from work and other activities after facial liposuction to recover and give the swelling time to go down. A longer recovery period will be required if you have other procedures, such as chin implant surgery, performed at the same time as the liposuction.

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9. When will I be able to see the results?

After the swelling subsides, you will begin to notice a difference in your chin and jawline. The change will begin to emerge after about 10 days and will continue as the swelling disappears.

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10. What are the risks of facial liposuction?

Facial liposuction patients sometimes develop hematomas (bad bruises) or suffer from necrosis (tissue death), the latter of which can lead to infection. If an ultrasound technique is used, your tissue could be burned. Major blood loss is rare, but can happen. Another risk of any liposuction procedure is an embolus of fat or blood clot that enters the bloodstream and could lead to lung problems, heart attack or stroke. Your surgeon should go over the risks with you during your consultation.

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11. Are there other options for removing facial fat?

Another option for removing facial fat is mesotherapy, commonly known as lipodissolve. Lipodissolve involves a series of injections of medications that melt away localized fat deposits like the ones under your chin. Although this treatment is controversial and does not have FDA approval, some research has indicated that it is safe and effective for removing small areas of fat.

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