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Is Liposuction Above Jaw Line a Bad Decision?

asked 1 year ago by i want to be pretty in california
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 612 times
Tags: jaw line, options

Buccal fat removal isn't for me and my chin area is not bad. The areas that really bother me is the area right above my jaw line and under the apples of my cheeks. My upper cheeks are full and jaw line is reasonably defined. Can smart lipo fix the lower cheeks? Traditional liposuction? Is this a dangerous procedure in terms of appearance and abnormalities? Where would the incisions be?

19 answers to Is Liposuction Above Jaw Line a Bad Decision?

Facial liposuction

Liposuction above the jaw line can be accomplished if completed with attention to small cannulae ("microcannulae") as well as low vacuum suction.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction of Jawline

I would recommend liposuction of your jowls using a handheld syringe and cannula. The biggest risk with this procedure is injury to the facial nerve branches. Use of a blunt cannula and syringe suction minimizes this risk. I would not recommend more aggressive forms of suction. Incision placement is typically behind each earlobe and in the crease where the chin meets the neck. All incisions are the width of a pencil. The most important aspect of... more

Paul S. Gill, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.drpaulgill.com

Liposuction not recommended for facial contouring

Generally liposuction is not recommended for facial contouring. It would require great care to be done properly. I would consult a surgeon to determine if you are an appropriate candidate and placement of incisions.

Usha Rajagopal, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.sfcosmeticsurgery.com

Smart Lipo of the jowls and cheeks

I have found Smart Lipo of the jowls and cheeks to be very effective. It must be done at low power and very carefully, but excellent results can be attained. The incisions are tiny and can be made anywhere, but I choose to put them under the chin and at the junction of the earlobe and cheek.

Kenneth L. Stein, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction of the face

I perform liposuction of the face quite often. I make the incision inside the nose. I do not use SlimLipo or Smart Lipo there because these may cause injury to the facial nerves. Swelling there may be longer than usual but it looks like the patient has the mumps,especially since the cut is not visible.

Edward J. Domanskis, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Facial Liposuction

While you can perform liposuction of the face and along the jaw, it is often not a good idea as an isolated procedure. In most cases, adding fat or a lower lifting procedure is more appropriate. I woudl suggest talking with a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who performs facial surgery to discuss your options further.

D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction on neck and face

The area that you are describing is the jowl. Liposuction with tiny cannulas and tiny incisions as possible in these areas. Liposuction in the face is always a tricky procedure because of how little you have to take out to get a good result. See an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who has done a lot of lipo on the face and neck. Many people that offer Smart Lipo are not even plastic surgeons. Make sure that whoever you see has experience. Your problem is fixable and in... more

Andrew Kaczynski, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction above the jawline is almost always a bad idea.

Facial aging is distinguished in part by loss of subcutaneous fat. Few patients who develop jowls do so because of the growth of fat. The fat should be repostioned, not removed.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Yes, liposuction above the jawline is not usually wise.

Liposuction will remove fat that you will need later in life as you age. Also you can have irregularities as well.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction above jawline

Liposuction of the face is usually limited to the neck. Most doctors frown upon liposuction of the face to avoid a prematurely aged look from hollowness.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction in the face may be problematic

We agree, for the majority liposuction above the jaw line is a bad decision. As you can see others feel that liposuction in this area is fine. The issue come down to aesthetics and future aging and fat loss. Facial liposuction to us just does't look 'right'. The procedure is controversial, so be careful and understand fully what you will get. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Facial liposuction vs. fillers

Your overall facial appearance is important to evaluate in person. Your age is important also. You may regret reducing volume in the cheeks when you get older. It may be better to lift that area rather than losing more volume that you might regret later.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Is Liposuction Above Jaw Line a Bad Decision?

Very difficult area to treat. I recommend 12 watt Smart Lipo But a photo would have been helpful. Best to you from MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

It is called lower face and neck liposuction.

Liposuction of the face is done through tiny incision behind the ear lobes and under the chin. The procedure is very comfortable and can be done while you are awake in the office setting. Recover is brief. The important thing is to determine if this is actually what will be right for you. A personal consultation should answer that.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Liposuction of the Face

Liposuction of the neck and below the jaw line is a fairly common procedure. It can contour the neck and help to better define the jaw line. Liposuction above the jawline is rarely performed, and is much more risky. Injury to the nerves that control the movement of your face can occur, and the benefit is usually small. Alternative procedures, such as bucal fat pad removal, can help decrease fullness in the lower and forward part of the cheek. This will work well, but only for... more

Joseph Mele, MD
Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon

Face liposuction is rarely advisable!

Liposuction may be recommended as a solution for heavy smile lines, jowling and occasionally cheek fat. However, this will rarely be recommended by experienced Plastic Surgeons! Repositioning tissue above the jaw line is the correct solution rather than removing the fat. Liposuction in the face can injure tissue, create grooves, accelerate tissue sinking and sagging. Selective use of laser assisted lipo techniques in the face are still being evaluated. The benefits of this technology is in... more

Mathew C. Mosher, MD
Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.drmosher.com

Liposuction face

I would be very cautious about having this done. The risk of injury to nerves and the risk of deformity is signicant.

Samer W. Cabbabe, MD
Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon

Facial liposuction

Without a picture or more information, I cannot advise what is right for you. If the fat is abnormally positioned and you are young, then any type of liposuction in VERY experienced hands may work very well. If the fat is positioned there because of descent from gravity, then liposuction is a bad idea. You need a consultation with a Plastic Surgeon experienced with facial rejuvenation and liposuction.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD
Highlands Plastic Surgeon

Facial liposuction - not for me

I personally do not advocate any liposuction above the jawline as there is a thin margin betwen the muscles and nerves that make your face move and going too superficial to avoid these and creating grooves and dents in the cheeks. I have seen several bad examples of patients who have come to me with these deformities and I wouldn't go there if I were you.