The Face & Skin Center

LIPOSUCTION: Removing fat to improve the shape of the face and neck

Liposuction is perhaps the newest and most ingenious technique introduced to plastic surgery in the past few decades. An instrument is inserted beneath the skin and fat cells are vacuumed out. Many people develop a fatty neck and jowl area with age, but just as many inherit this tendency early in life. It is not necessarily related to overall body fat content. Liposuction works best in those with localized deposits of fat. Liposuction of the neck and jowls will improve the jawline and is a standard part of the facelift procedure. In those people with minimal excess skin, liposuction alone may suffice, but otherwise a facelift will be necessary to correct the skin excess. Sometimes a chin implant is also recommended to improve the overall neck/jaw line.

How is the procedure performed?

Liposuction of the neck and jowls can be performed with twilight sleep anesthesia. The patient may return home afterwards. Only a tiny incision is made under the chin. The whole procedure takes about 30 minutes. Liposuction is often combined with other procedures to enhance the overall effect.

How long is the recovery period?

The main side effect from the procedure is bruising and swelling over the liposuctioned areas. This will persist for seven to ten days. There is very little pain from this procedure, but some discomfort may be encountered for several days. Light activity only is encouraged for one week. Lumpiness and bumpiness is felt under the skin of the liposuctioned area for one to two months afterwards as more fat continues to be reabsorbed.

What are the possible complications?

Other than the previously mentioned bruising and swelling, there are few side effects to this type of operation. Very rarely, a branch of the nerve to the lower lip may be weakened for a period of time.