Face and Upper Body Liposuction

Upper body Liposuction

Upper body liposuction procedure targets unwanted fat in areas such as the back, arms, chin, and neck. Following the procedure, patients experience an improvement in their body contours and boost in self-confidence. Serving the San Diego area, Dr. Nojan Talebzadeh along with his staff at the Eastlake Cosmetic Surgery Center, aim to help patients achieve their ideal body goals.

People often choose to receive upper body liposuction after they undergo massive weight loss through natural methods or bariatric surgery. Candidates for this procedure want to remove excess fat. Patients who elect to undergo this procedure may want to target excess skin and unwanted fat. Upper body liposuction can address issues concerning the arms, chest, waist and back. In order to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this type of procedure, there are some crucial factors to consider.

First, a patient must be in overall good physical health to receive this procedure. A patient will do better if they do not smoke, as smoking slows down the healing process and increases risks of complications after surgery. If a patient does smoke, they will need to quit a minimum of six weeks before the surgery. In addition, a patient’s weight will need to have been stable for at least six months, with no significant weight changes foreseen.

Target trouble areas:

  • Between/Under the Shoulder Blades
  • Axillary Region
  • Bra Region
  • Posterior Waist (lower, middle region of the back)
  • TChin/Neck liposuction

ARM TREATMENT AREAS:

Upper body liposuction can improve arm regions by targeting the fatty tissue above the triceps muscle as well as on the back of the upper arm. Other treatment locations include the axillary fat pads, as well as the region above the breast where the shoulder meets the armpit.

What to expect during surgery

Patients who undergo an upper body liposuction procedure are placed under general anesthesia in an outpatient facility. During the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the treatment area and uses a suction machine in conjunction with an instrument called a cannula, to address unwanted fat. For patients who have experienced a more drastic weight loss, the incision that the surgeon performs will typically run from the elbow to the armpit and may extend along part of the upper chest wall towards the patient’s back.

Recovering after upper body liposuction

Liposuction recovery is relatively mild. Patients tend to experience bruising and swelling for a few weeks after the operation, but these fade quickly and do not last. Special garments must be worn to minimize swelling and provide support during the healing process. In addition, drains may be required. A form of postoperative pain medication will be prescribed for the days immediately following the operation. Patients should expect the pockets of overly firm and indented skin to smooth out after about six weeks.

After this procedure, patients can enjoy an improved body contour. This procedure is meant to target loose skin and excess fat to help patients reach their ideal aesthetic. The scars from this procedure are relatively minor and can be easily hidden or minimized.

Face and Upper Body Liposuction

Liposuction is often associated with body contouring, but growing numbers of board-certified plastic surgeons are also achieving excellent results with facial liposuction. Commonly treated areas include the cheeks, chin, neckline and jawline.

Also referred to as submental or submentum liposuction, facial liposuction can be performed on its own or with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as a facelift, Botox or soft tissue filler injections.

As many people can attest, it is not easy to lose weight in your face. The chin and jaw areas are notoriously resistant to the effects of diet and exercise. Liposuction can create subtle improvements to these spots that result in a more slender facial profile.

If you are concerned that your cheeks are too puffy or chubby, your surgeon may recommend a cheek reduction procedure known as buccal fat reduction instead of facial liposuction.

Are You a Candidate for Facial Liposuction?

If you are troubled by a double chin, jowls or a turkey-waddle neck, facial liposuction may be an option. The best way to determine if facial liposuction is for you is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience performing facial liposuction and/or other facial rejuvenation procedures. He or she will examine your facial anatomy and engage you in a candid discussion of your aesthetic goals and expectations.

Weight loss or gain may affect the results of your facial liposuction, so you should be at your ideal weight before considering the procedure. Tell your surgeon if you are planning to lose weight. Other lifestyle factors also may affect your candidacy. For example, smoking can impair healing and compromise the results of your surgery; If you smoke, tell your surgeon. Alcohol use may also increase facial liposuction risks. Certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications can increase bleeding risks and complicate your healing. Make sure you tell your surgeon about all medications you take on a regular basis, including dietary supplements.

Facial Liposuction: The Basics

Facial liposuction can be performed in less than an hour using light sedation plus a local anesthetic. If you are having other facial procedures performed simultaneously, general anesthesia may be warranted. This decision will be made together with your surgeon following a thorough consultation.

Facial liposuction is similar to liposuction on other areas of the body. The main difference is the amount of fat that is being removed. In general, just a few ounces of fat are removed from your face. By contrast, liposuction of the thighs may involve the removal of pounds of fat.

Your precise surgical plan will depend on what facial areas are being treated with liposuction. To treat the jowls or chin area, your surgeon will make a two- to four-centimeter incision beneath your chin or between your gums and the bottom of your inner lower lip. He or she will then insert a thin tube called a cannula, which is moved back and forth to break up the fat. The fat is then vacuumed out.

Some surgeons may use other liposuction technologies to emulsify the fat before it is removed. These can include ultrasound-assisted liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction or water-assisted liposuction. These techniques may allow for a gentler procedure. After the appropriate amount of fat is removed, your surgeon will close your incisions. Facial liposuction results are immediate.

Facial Liposuction RecoveryFacial Liposuction Recovery

Your facial liposuction recovery process depends on whether or not you have other procedures performed at the same time. If facial liposuction is performed on its own, recovery is more straightforward. Expect some mild pain and discomfort, which can be controlled with OTC or prescription painkillers. Some swelling and bruising is also common. Wearing a compression garment for several weeks can help reduce any swelling.

You can likely return to work within five days or sooner if you can cover the treated area with a scarf or turtleneck garment. If the incisions are in your mouth, your diet may be restricted. Follow your surgeon's postoperative instructions carefully to minimize your risk of complications.

Facial Liposuction Risks

No surgery is risk-free. Potential facial liposuction complications may include:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Nerve damage, loss of sensation
  • Scarring
  • Dissatisfaction with the cosmetic results
  • Anesthesia risks
  • Hematoma (collection of blood pooling under the skin that may clot)
  • Seroma (collection of fluid under the skin)

In general, the risks of facial liposuction are lower than those seen with liposuction of the body. Discuss the risks of facial liposuction with your surgeon before scheduling your surgery. He or she should provide important information on how to minimize them. Quitting smoking, for example, can reduce your risk of developing a postsurgical infection. Your surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to lower your risk of infection. Take the full course of these medications to make sure you are protected.