Facial Liposuction & Buccal Fat Removal FAQ

Facial liposuction is surgery that refines the facial contour by suctioning fat through a thin tube inserted through small openings in areas with a lot of subcutaneous fat, such as the cheeks, jawline, and double chin. It is considered when fat, rather than bone, makes the face look wide, and buccal fat may also be removed through the mouth if needed.

Buccal fat is a pad of fat located deep inside the cheek between the muscles, and if there is a lot of it, the cheeks can look full and the lower face wide. Because it is not fat right under the skin, it does not shrink much with facial liposuction or dieting. Whether you have a lot of buccal fat is checked by facial shape and palpation.

Facial liposuction suctions the subcutaneous fat right under the skin, while buccal fat removal takes out the buccal fat deep in the cheek through an incision inside the mouth. If the cheeks are full overall, both may be done together, and the method is decided after checking which layer of fat is the issue.

Buccal fat naturally decreases with age, so removing too much can make the cheeks look hollow or older over time. That is why, in buccal fat removal, it is important to remove only an appropriate amount and only when there is a lot of buccal fat, and it is not recommended when the cheeks are thin or already hollow. If sagging is the main concern, lifting is considered rather than removal.

Whether the skin sags after facial liposuction depends on skin elasticity and the amount suctioned. With good skin elasticity, the skin often contracts and settles as the fat is removed, but if elasticity is reduced or a large amount is suctioned, the skin may look saggy. If skin sagging is already present, lifting is considered at the same time.

If a double chin is caused by fat under the chin, it often improves with double chin liposuction. Fat is suctioned through a small opening under the chin to define the border between the jawline and neck, and if loose muscles under the chin are also a cause, platysmaplasty (double chin muscle tightening) is considered as well.

Platysmaplasty is surgery that pulls together and ties the loose, separated platysma muscle under the chin to sharpen the border between the jaw and neck. It is considered for a double chin caused by loose muscle that does not improve with liposuction alone, or when the front of the neck looks loose, and it is often done together with double chin liposuction. An incision of about 2–3 cm under the chin is needed.

If a double chin is mainly due to subcutaneous fat under the chin, liposuction is usually the option; if loose muscle under the chin is the cause, platysmaplasty (double chin muscle tightening) is considered. The two causes often occur together, so liposuction and muscle tightening are sometimes done together, and the cause is identified by looking at the shape under the chin when you lower or raise your head and the fat thickness.

After facial liposuction, swelling and bruising are most noticeable on days 2–3 after surgery and gradually decrease, and if there are no stitches, face washing and makeup (except on the treated areas) are allowed from 2 days after surgery. The face may temporarily feel tight or numb, but this gradually improves after about 1–2 months. It is best to avoid alcohol, smoking, saunas, and strenuous exercise for 4 weeks.

Wearing a compression band after facial liposuction is recommended, because it helps reduce swelling and helps the skin settle to the new contour. For 7 days after surgery, wear it 24 hours a day except during meals and showers, and from 2 weeks until 2 months after surgery, wear it only while sleeping.

Yes, firmness or lumps in the treated area after facial liposuction are common during recovery. The tissue where fat was removed becomes temporarily firm as it heals, and warm compresses and neck stretching from 2 weeks to 2 months after surgery can help it soften. If pain or redness is severe, it is best to visit the clinic for a check.

Facial liposuction is performed through small openings below the earlobes and under the chin, so the scars are often not very noticeable after recovery. Buccal fat removal is done through an incision inside the mouth, so there is no incision on the skin of the face, and the inside of the mouth is closed with dissolvable stitches. How noticeable scars become depends on skin type and constitution.

Besides temporary swelling, bruising, tightness, and reduced sensation, facial liposuction can rarely cause unevenness, asymmetry, skin sagging, or hollowing from excessive suction. When buccal fat removal is done at the same time, the wound inside the mouth can become infected, so contact the clinic if you notice a bad smell in the mouth or yellow pus.

The cost of facial liposuction depends on the extent of the treated areas and whether it is combined with procedures such as buccal fat removal, platysmaplasty (double chin muscle tightening), or a fat graft. Because the extent of surgery varies with your face, an exact cost can be given after consultation.