What happens to jowl fat during a face/neck lift? Is it repositioned or removed or a combination of both? (Photo)

Thanks for your question and images. Jowls predominantly occur as the deeper facial tissues descend with ageing. Increased fat content will also produce more prominent jowls. A facelift is the most definitive procedure for elevating the jowls but it can be combined with liposuction to help reduce the volume of the jowls. The other aspect to consider is your overall weight. Reaching an ideal body weight prior to surgery is also very important to achieve the best results with facelifting. Please follow the link for more before and after images and information.RegardsDr Guy Watts

#Facelifts and jowl fatThis is a great question.The answer may be both.  The fat is elevated as the SMAS layer and skin are tightened.Excess fat can also be sculpted for better contours

Sagging jowls are typically due to a laxity in the underlying muscles as well as fatty deposits. The fat is usually liposuctioned away while the muscles are lifted and tightened. If you want a more accurate recommendation as to the right procedure for you, I would suggest that you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area to discuss. Hope this helps -- Dr. Nazarian

Good question. The short answer is both. Or in other words - "whatever it takes". It usually takes a combination of moving some of the fat back up into the lower cheek as well as reducing the amount of the bulge when there is simply too much there. creating a smooth jawline is the goal.

During facelift surgery, treatment of the jowls depends on each individual patient. If there are significant deposits of fat in the jowl area, liposuction using small blunt cannulas can be used to sculpt the region. Most individuals, however, simply require repositioning of the lax skin and deeper tissue layer to re-establish a smooth jawline. Be sure to consult with an experienced facial plastic/plastic surgeon in your area. These are great questions to bring up during your examination. Good luck!

The answer to this question is tailored to each individual patient.  Many times jowling is merely excess skin that is resuspended and trimmed.  If there is fat present, small cannulas are used to lipocontour the area and this fat can be processed and replaced in other areas of the face that have suffered volume loss.  Although your photo is limited, it appears in your particular case that tailoring of the jowl region, in combination with adding volume to your chin (with fat or implant) would significantly improve the overall youthful contour of your face.  Best wishes!

Fat does not sprout in the jowl region. Dissent of the midface fat creates fullness there. Proper treatment is to reposition that fat in the cheek region to restore youthful volume to the face.

Depending on the size of the jowls, the fat is either directly removed from under the skin flap or it is brought up with a SMAS flap so it does not affect your mandibular contour.  If the neck skin is not dissected, liposuction can also be used to remove this fat.  The procedure is customized to the patient's needs. 

Hi.  The jowl fat is usually just suspended but occassionally it will be combined with liposuction to remove some fat.  With ageing comes a descent of the facial tissues but also there is often a loss of volume as well.  Suspending the jowls and other areas of the face can put the volume back where it is needed.RegardsDamien

it is a great question. During a facelift that gel fat can be elevated to improve the loss of volume in the cheeks. Some of it can also be removed. Typically during a facelift a small amount of fat that hangs below the jaw line will be removed, and the remainder is elevated. This can help accentuate the jaw line and create a more angular youthful appearing face.Good luck!