These procedures include transformative surgical procedures for facial sculpting, neck contouring and age-related facial changes.
Definition: Minimally invasive removal of subcutaneous fat from cheeks, jowls, and jawline to enhance definition.Goal: Sharpen jawline, reduce “chipmunk cheeks,” improve facial harmony.Candidates: Non-smokers with elastic skin, localized fat deposits resistant to diet/exercise.Surgical Details:– Anesthesia: Local with sedation or general.– Incisions: 3–4mm hidden in scalp hairline, behind ears, or under chin.– Technique:– Cannula Insertion: Thin tubes loosen fat via tumescent fluid (lidocaine + epinephrine).– Fat Extraction: Suction-assisted (SAL) or laser/VASER-assisted for skin tightening.– Duration: 1–2 hours.Recovery:– Compression garment × 7 days.– Swelling/bruising peaks at 48hrs; resolves in 2–3 weeks.– Final contour visible at 3 months.Risks: Asymmetry, skin laxity, nerve injury (temporary numbness).
Definition: Fat removal from submental region (below chin) and anterior neck.Goal: Eliminate “double chin,” define cervicomental angle (90° ideal).Candidates: Good skin elasticity, isolated submental fat (pinch test >1cm).Surgical Details:– Anesthesia: Local with sedation.– Incisions: Single 4mm under chin.– Technique:– Cross-Tunneling: Criss-cross cannula movement for even fat removal.– Skin Tightening: Radiofrequency (FaceTite) or Renuvion may be combined.Recovery:– Neck compression strap × 14 days.– Stiff neck sensation resolves in 1 week.Key Consideration: Skin laxity may require neck lift for optimal results.
Definition: Removal of Bichat’s fat pads deep within cheeks.Goal: Reduce midface fullness, accentuate cheekbones.Candidates: Round/square faces with prominent buccal fat (common in 20s–30s).Surgical Details:– Anesthesia: Local or IV sedation.– Incisions: 2cm intraoral (upper molars).– Technique:– Fat pad exposed, gently teased out, and partially excised (typically 2–4cc/side).– Dissolvable sutures close incisions.Recovery:– Liquid diet × 3 days; soft foods × 1 week.– Cheek swelling resolves in 4 weeks.Risks: Over-reduction (premature aging), asymmetry, injury to parotid duct.
Definition: Creation of artificial dimples via selective muscle-skin adhesion.Goal: Natural-appearing dimples when smiling.Candidates: Patients with thick cheek skin (thin skin risks visible scarring).Surgical Details:– Anesthesia: Local.– Incisions: Intraoral.– Technique:– Suture Technique: Small buccinator muscle section sutured to dermis.– Excision Technique: Tiny skin ellipse removed to form indentation.– Duration: 30 minutes.Recovery:– Soft diet × 3 days.– Dimples visible immediately; soften over 6 weeks.Risks: Infection, dimple asymmetry, suture extrusion.
Definition: Removal/repositioning of excess skin, muscle, and fat in eyelids.Upper Blepharoplasty– Goal: Correct hooded eyelids, improve visual field.– Incision: Hidden in eyelid crease.– Technique: Skin/muscle excision ± fat repositioning.Lower Blepharoplasty– Goal: Reduce bags, smooth tear troughs.– Approaches:– Transcutaneous: Incision below lash line (skin/muscle adjustment).– Transconjunctival: Incision inside eyelid (fat removal/repositioning only).Recovery:– Bruising/swelling: 7–14 days.– Sutures removed at 5–7 days.Risks: Dry eyes, ectropion (lower lid sag), hematoma.
Definition: Harvesting patient’s own fat via liposuction, purifying, and reinjecting into face.Goal: Restore age/weight-loss-related volume loss in cheeks, temples, lips, nasolabial folds.Candidates: Significant midface hollowing, no active infections.Surgical Details:Fat Harvesting: Tumescent liposuction (abdomen/thighs).Processing: Centrifugation/purification to isolate viable adipocytes.Micrografting: Layered injections using blunt cannulas (0.5–1cc per pass).Recovery:– Donor site soreness × 1 week.– Facial swelling: 2–3 weeks.– 30–60% fat survival; touch-ups may be needed.Risks: Lumps, oil cysts, over/under-correction.
From precision contouring (liposuction, buccal reduction) to functional-aesthetic harmony (blepharoplasty) and volumetric restoration (fat transfer), face/neck surgeries offer transformative results. Success hinges on anatomic expertise, customized planning, and realistic expectations.
