Liposculpture

“Double chin” before neck liposuction

6 months after neck liposuction

 

Facial liposculpture refers to techniques that aim to achieve better definition of facial contours. The basic principle of liposculpture is to remove excess fat when it is present (for example the chin/ neck) and to inject fat into areas where volume has been lost (for example the cheek area). Care and precision is required in “sculpting” the fat to achieve smooth, well defined contours.

Excess fat is removed surgically using the technique of micro-liposuction (see section on liposuction). Facial liposuction is commonly used to help achieve better definition of the jaw line and to reduce double chins. Dramatic improvements can be achieved using liposuction alone (particularly in younger patients where skin quality is good). Sometimes excessive skin remains when the fat has been removed and the only way to remedy this is to combine the liposuction with a lower neck facelift (see section on face/ neck lift).

Fat transfer (lipomodelling/ fat cell grafting/ Coleman fat injection) is a technique that has become very popular over the last 10 years or so. It involves the removal of fat from one part of the body (usually the abdomen, buttocks or thighs) and its transfer to another part of the body. The fat is removed using liposuction techniques and is prepared in the operating theatre to separate out the fat cells. It is then injected into the required areas. The areas of the face most commonly treated are the cheeks, to restore the youthful appearance of “high cheek bones”. Fat is used in an analogous way to fillers but has the advantage of being completely natural. It can give a long lasting result but some absorption of fat is expected and a repeat procedure may be required. Fat transfer can be used in isolation or in combination with other facial surgery when indicated.