Facial Liposuction

Facial Liposuction Basics

Although many people think of liposuction as just a tool to trim tummies and thin thighs, liposuction can actually be used very effectively on the face. Many people put on extra fat around their faces as they age. This can result in a chubby appearance, and it can lead to double chins, drooping jowls, and chipmunk cheeks. Facial liposuction can help to provide a person with a thinner, more attractive, and younger appearance.

The word liposuction means literally the suction of fat, and facial liposuction is a procedure which removes fat from the face by sucking it out of the body. During a facial liposuction, the surgeon will make one or more small incisions around the face. Then, a tiny instrument called a cannula will be inserted. A cannula is a thin, hollow tube which is attached to a vacuum machine. The surgeon will carefully move the cannula back and forth through the fatty tissue of the face. This will break up the fat, and as it breaks up, the cannula sucks it out of the body.

Because the incisions made during a liposuction are so small, they don't typically leave much obvious scarring at all. They also typically don't need to be sutured shut. Sometimes, facial liposuction incisions can be made inside the mouth, completely hiding them from view.

Before a facial liposuction, the patient and the surgeon will meet together and talk about the surgery. They will decide which areas the patient would like to be treated, and they will decide how much fat will be removed.

Facial liposuction is usually performed under local anesthesia and light sedation, although it can sometimes be performed under general anesthesia as well. This procedure is typically performed as an outpatient surgery, so you probably won't need to stay overnight at a hospital. The entire procedure usually takes an hour or two to perform.

Facial liposuction has a relatively low recovery time, because it is not nearly as intense or invasive a procedure as many types of facial surgery. Some amount of bruising and swelling is common, and it is also common to experience pain and discomfort. However, the pain is typically controllable using the pain medication your surgeon has prescribed, and in some cases it can even be controlled using over the counter pain medications. Of course, you'll want to make sure to check with your surgeon to find out what sorts of pain killers are okay to use.

Patients typically will want to lay low and rest for a few days after a facial liposuction. However, patients can commonly return to their work in less than a week. During the recovery period, it is common for patients to be asked to wear a compression garment. This compression garment will help to hold your face in the right position as it heals. It may be slightly inconvenient, but it is a very good idea to wear it.

Facial liposuction costs can vary greatly. However, most of these procedures will probably cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,500 to $6,000.

Facial Liposuction Techniques

There are a number of different ways that facial liposuction can be performed. Each of these different techniques is has certain pros and cons. Here are some of the more common methods.

Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction is the oldest form of liposuction still commonly being performed, and it is also the most popular form of liposuction. During facial tumescent liposuction, fluids are injected into the fat of the target area. This causes the fat cells to expand and become firm. This in turn makes it easier for them to be safely and precisely removed. The fluids used in tumescent liposuction include saline solution, pain killers, and medications to help minimize bleeding.

Laser Liposuction

During laser liposuction, a surgical laser is used to liquefy excess fat before the surgeon suctions it out of the body with the cannula. Many surgeons feel that this allows them to be more precise during the surgery. This can, in turn, lead to better results and shorter recovery times. However, laser liposuction does tend to be somewhat more expensive than traditional liposuction.

Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction

Ultrasound assisted liposuction functions much like laser liposuction. However, instead of a surgical laser, ultrasound waves are used to break down fat. Some surgeons distrust this surgery because they feel that it can cause dangerous burns.

Water Assisted Liposuction

Water assisted liposuction uses a cannula with a water jet on it. The water jet gently breaks up the fat and allows it to be easily suctioned out. This technique is one of the newer forms of liposuction, and many believe that it is one of the gentlest techniques available.