A round face is often associated with youthfulness, but some may prefer a more contoured and sculpted look. Liposuction can significantly enhance your facial features by removing excess fat and creating a more defined appearance. By choosing an experienced aesthetic surgeon who can tailor the procedure to your unique facial structure, you can achieve beautifully balanced and natural-looking results.
But many patients wonder: how long does liposuction surgery take? And where on the face can it be used, considering its length, complexity, budget, etc?
This blog answers many of the questions you might currently have.
This is one of the most complicated questions an aesthetic surgeon can be asked. Liposuction differs greatly based on several factors. Generally, the length of a liposuction surgery ranges from 1 to 3 hours. It depends on the amount and location of fat being removed.
Factors that affect the duration of the procedure include:
The more areas being treated, the longer it will take for the surgery to be completed. Additionally, different types of anesthesia have varying effects on recovery time and may also impact how long the surgery takes.
It’s important to note that while a shorter surgery time may seem appealing, it’s crucial to prioritize the quality and safety of the procedure. Rushing through a surgery can lead to complications and unsatisfactory results.
Contact Aesthetic MdR’s licensed and experienced surgeons for a personalized consultation to understand how long your liposuction surgery might take.
You have a preoperative consultation with your surgeon before liposuction surgery is scheduled. You will also need intense post-operative care to speed up the healing process. All of these factors should be considered when determining how long the surgery will take or how long you should stay in the clinic.
Before the surgery, your surgeon will assess your overall health to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure. This may include a physical exam, blood work, and medical history evaluation.
Additionally, they might recommend lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking or adjusting medications before surgery to minimize any potential risks.
You may also be required to stop eating or drinking anything after midnight on the night before your surgery.
Depending on your case, all the above may require 1-3 visits to the clinic before the actual surgery.
Besides this, on the day of the surgery, you will also need some time for check-in, completing paperwork, and preparing for the surgery. This can add another hour or two to the overall procedure time.
Usually, you will be asked to arrive at the clinic 1-2 hours before your scheduled surgery time.
So, it’s a good idea to free up your day from the very beginning on the day of surgery.
Depending on your case and the extent of the surgery, you may need to stay at the clinic for a few hours or even overnight after your liposuction procedure.
During this time, trained medical staff will monitor your vitals and assist you with any discomfort or pain management.
Your surgeon may also schedule a follow-up appointment during this initial recovery period to check on your progress and answer any questions you may have about post-operative care.
When done under local anesthesia the patient can be released directly after the procedure to go home. Patients who have procedures under general anesthesia may be required to stay in a patient care facility if the surgeon requires it.
It’s important to follow your surgeon’s instructions during this time, including wearing any compression garments provided and taking prescribed medication as directed.
Your surgeon may also recommend specific activities or movements to help with healing and prevent complications.
The quick face liposuction may only take around 30 minutes. However, more complicated areas of the face and body can take 1-3 hours. The entire process, including preoperative preparations and post-operative recovery, may take up a large portion of your day. In some cases, it may even require an overnight stay.
So, planning at least 24 hours for your liposuction procedure is crucial for a smooth and stress-free experience.
It’s important to have realistic expectations about the results. Understand that it may not drastically change your appearance or make you look like someone else.
Liposuction and facial fat grafting can help define your facial features by removing excess fat. However, it cannot change the underlying bone structure or address skin sagging or wrinkles.
Additionally, it’s essential to discuss any underlying health conditions with your surgeon before undergoing facial fat grafting. Certain medical conditions may increase risks and affect the healing process.
Overall, the procedure can be an effective solution for enhancing facial aesthetics and boosting confidence. However, it’s crucial to consult with a qualified and experienced surgeon and have realistic expectations about the outcome.
Usually, extra fat is collected in the chin, neck, and jawline areas of the face.
It depends on your facial structure and concerns, so it’s best to consult with a surgeon to determine which areas would be suitable for liposuction.
Many people have a natural hollowing around the orbital rims (the area below their eyebrows and above their cheeks), which can give the appearance of dark circles or bags under their eyes. This hollowing is usually the result of genetics and can make a person look tired or older.
Liposuction is not performed on the orbital rims themselves. Instead, fat is harvested from other areas of the body, such as the inner thighs or abdomen, and then transferred to the orbital rims. This area tends to lose fat as we age, leading to a hollow appearance. The procedure helps to restore volume and gives the face a more youthful and refreshed look. Due to the delicate nature of this procedure, it should only be performed by a qualified facial plastic surgeon.
The orbital rim procedure can be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as a brow lift or upper eyelid surgery. With this procedure, the results are subtle but can make a significant difference in overall facial appearance.
Your eyes will start looking brighter and more awake, making you appear more youthful and refreshed. Besides, the procedure will make you less dependent on makeup to cover up dark circles and bags under your eyes.
Orbital rim liposuction is moderately difficult on the complexity scale. Depending on the amount of fat to be removed, it can last one to two hours.
Consult with a board-certified aesthetic surgeon to know if the procedure is right for you.
Another potential area for facial fat grafting after liposuction to the temples is the temples. As people age, they may notice a hollowing or depression in the temples, which can make the face look worn and tired. This is often caused by fat loss in this area due to aging or significant weight loss.
Temporal depressions can be addressed through facial fat grafting, which involves removing excess fat deposits in the temple area. This procedure can help restore a more youthful and fuller appearance to the temples, giving the face a more balanced and harmonious look.
The procedure usually takes about one hour to complete. Recovery time is minimal, and most patients can return to their daily activities within a few days.
Facial fat grafting to the temporal region after liposuction is often recommended for thin faces with prominent bones. It is also suggested for individuals who have lost significant weight. By removing excess fat in this area, the temples will appear more defined and rejuvenated. This enhances the overall appearance of the face.
When the fat is added to the temples, the skin may also be tightened and repositioned for optimal results. This can help further improve the contour and shape of the face, giving it a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
Consult with a board-certified aesthetic surgeon to know if the procedure is right for you.
Fat grafting to the mid-face can also be used to address fat loss in the mid-face and cheeks. This area is commonly referred to as the “apple” or “chubby cheek” region and can often create a round or heavy appearance that some individuals may find undesirable.
This can be either a genetic trait or a result of weight gain and can often be difficult to target through diet and exercise. Facial liposuction in this area can help to remove the excess fat and create a more sculpted and defined appearance.
Excess fat in this area can be removed through facial liposuction, resulting in more defined cheekbones and a slimmer, more contoured face shape. The procedure is typically performed through small incisions inside the mouth or on the lower eyelid, making scarring virtually invisible.
Recovery time for mid-face and cheek fat grafting after liposuction is relatively short, with most patients able to return to work within a week. Swelling and bruising may occur, but these typically subside within a few days.
Facial liposuction in the midface can also be combined with other procedures, such as a temporal brow lift or blepharoplasty, to further enhance the results and create a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the face.
Mid-face liposuction may be one of the most noticeable procedures on your face because this area is often the focal point of your overall facial appearance. By slimming and sculpting the mid-face, you can achieve a more balanced and attractive profile.
Consult with a board-certified aesthetic surgeon to know if the procedure is right for you.
The pre-jowl sulcus is the area located on either side of the chin and below the corners of the mouth. It is often a concern for individuals as it can create a sagging or “jowly” appearance that can make someone look older than they are.
This area usually gathers fat and becomes more pronounced with age. This is due to the loss of skin elasticity and volume in the face as we age. However, genetics can also play a role in the development of this area.
Facial contouring can be an effective solution for reducing the appearance of pre-jowl sulcus. By removing excess fat, the jowls can be lifted, resulting in a smoother jawline and a more youthful appearance.
Recovery time is minimal, with most patients being able to return to their regular activities within a week.
In addition to liposuction, other procedures, such as dermal fillers or fat transfer, can be combined to further enhance the results and create a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the face.
When considering facial rejuvenation of the mid-face or pre-jowl sulcus, it’s important to understand the expected effects. The procedure can significantly improve your overall facial appearance. However, it is not a cure-all for every sign of aging. When this area is improved, it can create a more youthful and refreshed look. Still, other factors such as skin quality, wrinkles, and volume loss in other areas of the face should also be taken into consideration for the overall youthfulness of the face.
Consult with a board-certified aesthetic surgeon to know if the procedure is right for you.
One surgery, multiple benefits. Yes, it is possible to have liposuction on different areas of the body to treat different areas of the face to achieve comprehensive rejuvenation.
While mid-face liposuction can address the pre-jowl sulcus and improve the jawline, other areas, such as the cheeks or chin, may also benefit from fat removal or contouring. These additional procedures can be combined with mid-face liposuction for an overall balanced and harmonious result.
Furthermore, facial rejuvenation can also be performed in combination with skin tightening treatments such as laser resurfacing or radiofrequency technology to enhance skin quality further and reduce wrinkles. This combination approach can provide not only a more youthful appearance but also long-lasting results.
Applying liposuction to different areas of the face during one surgery can reduce the number of times you expose your skin to anesthesia. It also shortens the overall recovery time, which can be less convenient if done separately. However, the extent of liposuction on multiple areas during one surgery should be discussed with your surgeon to ensure safety and optimal results.
For the right candidate, this approach can provide natural-looking rejuvenation results. Others may need additional procedures to achieve the best outcome.
A detailed and personalized consultation with a reliable surgeon will help you determine the best approach for your specific concerns and goals. They will assess your facial anatomy, skin quality, and degree of fat deposits to create a tailored treatment plan that addresses all areas of concern.
Again, one of the most complex questions is the degree of recovery and downtime after facial rejuvenation. In general, the recovery time varies from patient to patient depending on the extent of the procedure and individual healing abilities.
Typically, patients can expect 1-2 weeks of swelling, bruising, and discomfort after surgery. During this time, it is important to rest and avoid strenuous activities that could increase blood flow to your face and prolong healing.
Your surgeon will also provide you with specific aftercare instructions, including wearing compression garments and avoiding certain medications or supplements that could interfere with healing.
Overall, most patients can return to work within 1 week and resume light physical activity within 2 weeks. However, full results may take several weeks to appear as the swelling gradually subsides and your skin adjusts to its new contours.
The best part of local anesthetic liposuction and facial fat grafting is that you can walk, move, and care for yourself immediately after the procedure. You’ll also see some improvement in your facial profile immediately, even though the final results may take a few weeks.
The final recovery time may vary from person to person. However, the overall downtime for facial liposuction is relatively short and manageable. While you might not feel comfortable meeting people 2-5 days after surgery, you can still maintain everyday activities like walking or shopping. With proper care and patience, you can expect to see the full results within 4-6 weeks. During your recovery, you will look quite fresh and natural.
Yes if you have excess fat in the submental region and jowls or are experiencing hollowness in the mid-face, temples, prejowl sulcus, or temples, which is not responding to diet and exercise, then you may be a good candidate for the procedure. Because the face skin and tissues are delicate, it is important to have good skin elasticity and overall good health before considering this procedure. Your surgeon will evaluate your case to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this procedure.
You can confidently consult for this procedure if:
It is important to note that while liposuction and fat grafting can improve facial contours, they cannot address wrinkles, fine lines, or sagging skin. In some cases, a facelift or other facial rejuvenation procedures may be recommended alongside liposuction for optimal results.
If you’re unsure about your candidacy for this procedure, it is best to consult with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. They can assess your specific needs and advise on the best course of action. Remember, safety should always be a priority when considering any cosmetic procedure.
Liposuction to the lower face and neck and fat grafting hollowed areas of the face is a relatively safe and effective procedure for removing excess fat from the face. It can enhance facial contours and improve overall appearance, making your face look slimmer and more defined.
Before undergoing the surgery, many patients want to understand how much time it will take from their daily routine. Typically, the procedure takes 1-2 hours and is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day as the surgery.
However, considering the physical and mental preparation, as well as the recovery process, it is important to plan for at least 24 hours on the surgery day (including travel time and pre-op preparations) and a few days of rest at home after the surgery. It is also important to have someone available to assist you during this initial recovery period.
For every question you have about the procedure, consult with a qualified plastic surgeon from Aesthetic MdR!
Yes, face liposuction can effectively remove excess fat in the chin and neck area, resulting in a more defined jawline and eliminating the appearance of a double chin.
The longevity of results from submental liposuction varies from person to person. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine can help prolong the results. Usually, your aesthetic surgeon will recommend you follow a post-surgery care plan that includes healthy lifestyle habits and follow-up appointments.
The initial recovery period for face liposuction typically lasts 1-2 weeks, during which patients may experience bruising, swelling, and discomfort. After this time, most patients can return to work and resume their normal activities with some restrictions from intense exercise or strenuous physical activity.
As with any surgical procedure, facial liposuction involves potential risks and complications. These can include bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, or changes in sensation. It is important to discuss your risks and concerns with your plastic surgeon before undergoing the procedure.
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