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What are the Different Types of Facial Liposuction?

By Rachel Burkot
Updated May 17, 2024
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Facial liposuction is a procedure that removes fat from the neck, chin and jowls. Candidates for facial liposuction desire a thinner, tighter appearance in the facial region. However, people who are more than 30 pounds overweight should not undergo a facial liposuction. The advantage of this type of surgery is that scars are minimized. After the surgery, mild swelling occurs for a week to a week and a half.

Facial liposuction removes fat from the neck, improves the appearance of sagging jowls, reduces bags under the eyes, smooths wrinkles near the upper eye and can eliminate a double chin. The surgery uses anesthesia on those parts of the face being operated on. An incision is made in the region, and a tool called a cannula penetrates the incision to remove the excess fat. This is called Suction-Assisted Liposuction.

There are several types of surgery that those who desire facial contouring can undergo. Tumescent liposuction is a procedure in which the doctor injects fluid into the area that the fat will be removed from. He or she then uses a special, smaller cannula to suction out the fat. Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL) is reserved for patients with fat regions that cannot be reduced through diet or exercise because it can remove larger amounts of fat at once. An ultrasonic liposuction works similarly to Suction-Assisted Liposuction, but it is intended specifically to improve the proportion of the treated area.

During a Power-assisted Liposuction, a gas- or electricity-powered hollow tube penetrates the skin and vacuums out fat, scar tissue, and fibrous tissue. The tip of the instrument moves back and forth, allowing for movement through the tissue. This type of facial liposuction surgery is more expensive than most of the procedures. VASER-assisted liposuction combines technology with new surgical techniques to dissolve and remove tissues of fat. This surgery yields one of the shortest recovery times of all the types of surgeries.

Submental liposuction works most effectively for double chin removal. It directly condenses fat through excision and tightening procedures. External Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction (XUAL) is a more complex surgery. High-frequency ultrasonic fields penetrate the skin’s wet tissue that has been injected with fluid, as during tumescent liposuction. This allows fat to be easily taken out, and it differs from Internal Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction because of the energy being applied through the skin rather than through a cannula.

Although facial liposuction is an effective surgery to remove unwanted fat patches, it should only be performed by qualified doctors. The result is a more youthful appearance with tighter, more contoured and defined features. The surgery brings about dramatic results, so patients should be serious about it before making an appointment.

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Discussion Comments

By Heavanet — On Feb 18, 2014

Thanks for the information Talentryto. I've heard that the head dressing that you have to wear for compression isn't very pleasant, but worth it for the results.

By Talentryto — On Feb 17, 2014

Heavanet, she didn't have much discomfort at all, and didn't have to take any pain medications. However, she had to wear head dressing for a few weeks which she said was uncomfortable. She was thrilled with the results though, and said she would do it all over again.

By Heavanet — On Feb 16, 2014

Did you aunt have much pain with her facial liposuction procedures Talentryto? The process sounds like it would be painful, but I've heard that it isn't too bad. What was your aunt's experience?

By Talentryto — On Feb 16, 2014

My aunt had facial and neck liposuction last year, and she is very happy with the results. After researching the procedures and doctors in her area that preform them, she found the right doctor who did the best type of liposuction for the results she wanted to achieve. She looks great!

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