What is a face and neck liposuction?
Facial and neck liposuction can produce very dramatic effects in the aging face or in younger patients with fat deposits. Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss. Suctioning fat deposits on an over-weight person will create a deformity because the removal of fat will result in baggy skin.
Face and Neck Liposuction
The most effective areas for facial liposuction are the areas under the chin and the jowls, which are the droopy areas that form on the sides of the jaws as we age.
Although liposuction is a common term, the procedure is actually more properly referred to as liposculpture. The word sculpture indicates an actual artistic recontouring of the fat instead of just removing fat. Although excess fat removal is a positive change, taking away too much fat can leave unpleasant cosmetic deformities. Fat is not always the enemy and leaving the proper amount of fat under the skin is extremely important.
Liposuction, however, is an excellent means of removing fat deposits in individuals whom have genetic fat deposits or fat collections from aging. The most effective areas for facial liposuction are the areas under the chin and the jowls, which are the droopy areas that form on the sides of the jaws as we age.
our facelift specialist uses a combination of surgical procedures when performing liposuction. Frequently a chin implant is utilized with the liposuction under the chin. This tightens up the loose skin and enhances the patient’s profile. In addition, our facelift specialist may elect to perform a neck lift procedure in which he corrects the sagging muscles of the neck to restore their youthful position. This is effective in improving the “turkey gobbler” deformity of the neck.
It is important to mention that if significant loose skin is present, liposuction by itself may produce disappointing results. For cases with a large amount of skin, a face lift procedure may be required.
Most of this surgery may be done in the office under local or IV anesthesia.
Depending upon the severity of the deformity, the recovery time for these surgeries is from 3-7 days. Patients wear a support head wrap to compress the treated areas. This is worn for several days continually and at night for 5-7 days.
The pictures below show a case of liposuction with simultaneous chin implant. Although there is significant improvement with a happy patient, the liposuction does not totally addresses skin excess. A face or neck lift would be required to totally address the skin. This patient, like some patients, wanted a change but did not want a facelfit procedure.