Lili Cordell
Unlike face lifts, a facial liposuction can be conducted on both men and women, regardless of age. The minimal amount of scarring as well as the inexpensive and simple procedure makes the operation popular among plastic surgery patients. Jowl, neck, cheek, and chin liposuction are all considered elements of facial liposuction.
Facial Liposuction Procedures
Tumescent Liposuction
Before making any incisions, the surgeon will inject an anesthetic into the face, usually in the chin or jowl area. In addition to lidocaine (a local anesthetic), the anesthesia used in facial liposuction also contains epinephrine to aid the shrinking of facial blood vessels. The epinephrine also will simplify the fat removal process later. It is possible to be generally anesthetized during the course of the operation, but this local method is more common.
Tiny incisions with a length of ¼ inch or less are made where the jaw meets the neck, or in this general vicinity, depending on the amount of work to be done. The small incisions are a positive element of facial liposuction; they provide for minimal scarring as opposed to other types of plastic surgery.
A cannula is then slid through the incisions. This cylindrical instrument acts like a vacuum against the fat. Once the tube has penetrated the deep layer of fat, the surgeon will move it in a back and forward motion to drain out the fat cells. The bodily fluids that are extracted with the fat have already been replaced with the tumescent anesthesia, thus, replacing these fluids with an IV (as is done in other liposuction procedures) is not necessary. The incisions will then be closed with sutures.
Ultrasonic Liposuction Procedure
Ultrasonic liposuction is performed on patients who either need further repair to their face after a tumescent liposuction, or on patients who simply have more fat deposits in their face and require a more extensive surgery. It should not be confused with laser liposuction, a different procedure that also melts the fatty tissue before removal.
The anesthesia and incisions associated with ultrasonic liposuction are the same as its tumescent counterpart. The only substantial difference is the manner in which fat deposits are removed. Before the cannula begins to “suck” out the fat, it dissolves the deposits, using ultrasonic waves that pass through the cannula and under the skin. After this “melting” of the fat, the surgeon vacuums the liquid, and the patient is left with a healthier, more appealing shape.
Liposuction Risks
Each procedure involves its own risks. If a facial liposuction is performed tumescently, there is a possibility of the lungs filling with excess fluid, leading to a blood clot formation in the lungs and death. This situation can occur when the anesthesia contains an over concentrated dose of lidocaine. Although this complication in ultrasonic liposuction is not common, it is a possibility that requires regular check ups to avoid.
Some more common risks with the ultrasonic procedure are burning and blistering. The Ultrasonic sound waves that run through your skin are being produced by a generator, and too much heat will cause burns underneath the skin, resulting in a great amount of pain. Skilled surgeons can avoid this complication easily.
Liposuction Costs
Insurance companies do not normally assume the costs of plastic surgery because of its nonobligatory nature. Some types of plastic surgery, like facial reconstruction, may be covered by insurance plans, but liposuction is always an optional surgery undergone by the patient for aesthetic reasons. The full cost will most likely be paid out of pocket.
Because there are many different areas that can be operated on with a facial liposuction, the cost covers a wide price range. The least you can expect to pay is approximately $1,500. This amount covers procedural fees for either of the following facial regions: the chin, neck, jowls, or cheeks. A maximum amount that covers procedural fees for all four regions is $7,000. Neither of these costs includes the additional fees. Anesthesia fees, facility fees, and before and after care are all costs that supplement the procedural amounts mentioned earlier.
[page updated December 2008]