Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Liposuction
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- Am I a candidate for facial liposuction?
- Is facial liposuction permanent?
- What does a typical facial liposuction consultation entail?
- How is facial liposuction performed?
- Where are the incisions made; are there any scars?
- What should I expect postoperatively?
- Is it quite painful? Is there much bruising?
- When will I be able to return to work?
- When will I be able to see the results?
- What are the risks of facial liposuction?
1. Am I a candidate for facial liposuction?
If you have a double chin or a chubbiness around your lower face that makes you look round-faced, you may be a candidate for facial liposuction. The procedure uses liposuction techniques to suck out a few ounces of fat under the chin and jaw line. It can be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic techniques, such as a face lift or a chin implant. Often, removing a few ounces under the face can make you look like you have lost many pounds.
2. Is facial liposuction permanent?
To a certain degree, yes. Although the fat cells sucked out will never return, the fat under your chin might come back if you overeat and gain weight. Liposuction, in any application, is not to be used for weight loss.
3. What does a typical facial liposuction consultation entail?
A consultation is your chance to sit down with a plastic surgeon and discuss your goals. You tell him what you want done and he or she will explain what can be achieved realistically and you come to an agreement. A surgeon should take into account your facial features and underlying bone structure and be able to recognize how much fat can be removed and where. Beware of any doctor that wants to remove all of your facial fat. You need some facial fat, especially in the cheek area, or you will look very gaunt. The majority of facial liposuction patients have fat under the chin and jaw line.
4. How is facial liposuction performed?
Small incisions are made within the natural folds under the chin or jaw line. Using a metal cannula or tube, the fat is broken up and suctioned out through these small incisions. Sometimes a tumescent technique is used where a solution of saline (salt water ), lidocaine (anesthetic) and epinephrine (vasoconstrictor to reduce bleeding) are injected into the targeted area. This injection engorges the tissues for a firmer working area.
There is also a liposuction technique that involves ultrasound. These sound waves excite the fat cells and liquifies them for ease of removal by suction. However, there is the risk of burns.
Sutures are sometimes used to close the small incisions and a support garment should be worn for proper healing.
5. Where are the incisions made?
The incisions are usually made within the natural folds of the face, under the jaw line or chin. Scars are usually very minimal and inconspicuous. Discuss incision placement with your surgeon.
6.What should I expect postoperatively?
You may feel a little sore, but excessive pain is very rare in facial liposuction. There will be swelling and some bruising. You will be told to wear a support garment for the first few days after your procedure and at night for a few weeks. This will help insure proper healing.
7. Is it quite painful? Is there much bruising?
It takes about a week and a half for most of the swelling to subside. There is really not too much bruising with most cases, but some people bruise easier than others. S You should take your prescribed pain medication to alleviate any pain or discomfort that you may experience.
8. When will I be able to return to work?
Although some patients have returned to work 5 days after surgery, most take a week off from work. It is highly individual and also varies if you have other procedures performed, such as a chin implant. The swelling is the main reason people tend to take off work. Bruising, if any, can be camouflaged with cosmetics. Still, you should not bend over or exercise for at least 3 weeks postoperative.
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 jaw line. Take before-and-after photos to fully appreciate your results because the gradual decrease in swelling may disguise the full results and they may not seem too great to you. With photos, your appreciation and understanding of the results can really be seen.
10. What are the risks of facial liposuction?
Although, the risks with facial liposuction are less than with body liposuction, there are risks involved. You run the risk of developing a hematoma (bad bruise) or having some tissue die, which can lead to an infection. If an ultrasonic technique is used, you run the risk of burns. There may be asymmetry or hyperpigmentation (permanent dark spots) from the bruising. Major blood loss is rare but can happen. Another risk of any liposuction is an embolus of fat or blood clot that enters the bloodstream and could lead to lung problems, heart attack, or stroke.