Can Lipo Alone Remove a Small Jowl?

Liposuction under local anesthesia does improve small jowls in younger patients for about $1500-2000.  It is worth doing for many patients.  Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

Jowls are the skin and fat layers that used to be located above the jawline on the cheek.  With time, we lose deep fat in the mid face which causes a lack of support and with a combination of age and sun exposure, our collagen and elastin support is compromised.  All of these factors then allow the face to fall, bringing the cheek down over the jaw. This jowl can be reduced by liposuction if there is enough of a fat component and sometimes the skin will retract well but never the same as a facelift. Non invasive devices such as Ulthera and Thermage may help lift the jowl slightly, but not to the same extent of a face lift. There are risks with all of these procedures, even the non-invasive ones, so discuss this thoroughly with your physician.

The small jowling that occurs in young patients can be addressed by liposuction.  However, jowling is not due to fat accumulation alone, the sagging skin and underlying tissue need to be lifted. 

Like any cosmetic procedure, your board certified plastic surgeon by history and physical exam will help make the right decision for you. If liposuction is your choice, be careful not remove too much fat resulting in possible indentation.