Facial liposuction is a very common and popular procedure. It is designed for the permanent removal of fatty tissue from your cheeks, chin, neck, and body. It is an elective procedure that allows the surgeon to remove undesirable, subcutaneous fat in specific areas that do not respond to diet and exercise.
Patients with good skin tone who have fatty deposits receive the best results from liposuction. It is not a treatment for obesity. If weight gain occurs following liposuction, the fat will be deposited in areas that have not been treated. The procedure can be repeated, if necessary. To maintain the safety of the procedure, there is a limit on how much can be done at one time. A variety of factors can affect the results: physical condition, genetic makeup, diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, and skin elasticity.
To better understand your overall health, we will evaluate your medical history prior to surgery. Once Dr. Neuwirth has determined that you are a candidate for the procedure he will then discuss the surgery and benefits in detail. Our objective is to create a natural appearance that is pleasing to you. Photographs and computer imaging can be performed to determine the amount of improvement after surgery.
During your consultation you will be provided with a cosmetic estimate that will be honored for up to 6 months. At this time we can provide you with preoperative instructions that may include the elimination of specific drugs containing aspirin several weeks before surgery to minimize excess bleeding and bruising. A final consultation is typically scheduled to sign consent forms and take preoperative pictures. At this time we encourage each patient to have any final questions answered by Dr. Neuwirth or a staff member.
Liposuction is performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia at our practice. Dr. Neuwirth makes small (less than 1/2 inch), discreet incisions in the face, neck, and/or body. A cannula is inserted in a small incision and attached to a suction machine to remove the excess fatty tissue. Typically, the procedure takes approximately one hour.
The results of liposuction are permanent. If you were to gain a large amount of weight, you might note rippling in the treated areas, depending on your skin elasticity.
Following liposuction, the each scar will go through a maturation process. During the first eight to twelve weeks, they may be red and possibly raised. The scars will mature over six to twelve months and become pale, flat, and soft. You may experience numbness, burning, and/or tingling around the incision site. These symptoms are almost always temporary. Please let us know if you are prone to keloid scars.
It is mandatory that you have a responsible adult to drive you to and from your surgery and stay the first 24 hours with you. Typically a follow-up appointment is scheduled within the first 24 to 48 hours and repeated throughout the first year after the procedure.
It is recommended that you avoid vigorous activity for the first 3 weeks following your surgery. Healing is gradual so you will not notice results for up to six months. Improvement varies, depending on your initial condition. In most cases, a single procedure achieves the desired results.