Facial liposuction is used when unwanted fat deposits in the face or chin are removed to give the face a slimmer, more contoured appearance. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia or MAC (twilight) anesthesia.
If you are concerned about excess facial fat, Dr. Timothy M. Greco offers cheek, neck, or chin liposuction to patients who would like to accentuate their facial bone structure and provide a better contour to their neck. Put your best face (and neck) forward by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Greco today.
Fat located in the face and neck is often the last and most challenging barrier in the effort to achieve a slimmer, contoured, and more youthful appearance. Even for the most disciplined individuals, certain regions of fat cells can be resistant to diet and exercise.
Additionally, the natural aging process can result in certain areas of fat collection. While excess facial fat could occur in the cheeks, around the eyelids, or other areas, it typically accumulates under the chin and in the jowls. Common causes include aging, weight fluctuations, or genetics.
Liposuction of the face and neck offers several benefits to the patient.
- It removes unwanted fat from around the cheeks, under the chin, and the neck to present a slimmer profile.
- It can improve the appearance of a “double chin” to improve the angle between the chin and the neck.
- It accentuates the outline of the jaw to enhance the chin or bring balance to facial features.
- It can be combined with chin augmentation or rhinoplasty to further enhance facial contours.
Facial liposuction can also complement other cosmetic procedures, such as a facelift or facial augmentation. For example, chin implants using medical-grade silicone implants or structural fat grafting can all be combined with a liposuction procedure to achieve the desired aesthetic contour for the face and neck.
Liposuction is used to remove excess fat from the face and neck. However, the procedure doesn’t improve sagging skin. Therefore, the procedure is more suitable for slightly younger patients between the ages of 20 and 40. This is because younger patients have elastic skin, which can contract smoothly and evenly after liposuction.
Patients who have sagging skin will benefit more from a facelift or neck lift procedure, which can be combined with liposuction for the best aesthetic outcome.
Liposuction candidates should ideally be within 25% of their ideal weight. Chin or neck liposuction is not appropriate if the excess fat in the neck and jowls is due to weight gain. However, following weight reduction and long-term maintenance of an appropriate weight, facial liposuction can be considered.
Candidates for liposuction should be non-smokers and healthy individuals with no prior medical conditions that can impair the healing process.
The procedure is performed under twilight sedation. During the procedure, Dr. Greco will first make a tiny incision in the natural fold of your skin under the chin and behind the ears.
A small, thin, hollow instrument known as a cannula is inserted just beneath the skin through the incision to gently dislodge and suction out the unwanted pockets of fat. The cannula is connected to a rubber tube, which is attached to a machine that generates high vacuum pressure to suction out the fat.
The procedure takes about 45 minutes in general, but the length of time varies depending on other facial plastic procedures being performed in conjunction with facial liposuction. The results of liposuction are long-term as long as the patient maintains a healthy weight range.
After the procedure, patients may be required to wear a special supportive chin strap intermittently for two weeks. The strap compresses the skin to the new facial contours and helps reduce post-operative swelling.
A small amount of swelling and bruising is normal after the procedure. This will typically subside in about two weeks. You will begin to see a change in your facial contour over the next several weeks as the soft tissues continue to contract with the healing process.
You should be able to go back to work within one week after the procedure.
Dr. Timothy Greco is Philadelphia’s leading facial plastic surgeon, skilled at all types of cosmetic procedures that help counter the effects of aging. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) and the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery (ABOto).
Dr. Greco focuses solely on plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head, and neck at his in-office, state-certified aesthetic surgical center. If you're looking for a younger, fresher appearance customized to your facial structure, Dr. Greco can help!
Get in touch today to schedule a consultation with Philadelphia’s leading facial plastic surgeon. For appointments, call (610) 664-8830 or check the doctor’s schedule online.