Can All The Fat In My Face Be Removed By Liposuction?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had buccal fat removal a few months ago. That helped a little but I want an overall smaller face so I would like to get liposuction around my neck area, neckline my lower cheeks, areas surrrounding my jowl and chin area. I want all the fat that I have from my mid face down, ear to ear, to be all 100 percent removed.I just don’t like the fact that I have fat on my lower face instead of in my upper cheeks. When I smile I feel like the muscles or perhaps the fat pulls my nostrils out making them look wide. I thought that may be fixed with liposuction or it might just be fixed with rhinoplasty.

A: When it comes to facial liposuction, the reality is what you are asking for can’t be done with the result that you want. There is no such thing as ‘removing all of the fat’ no matter where on the body liposuction is performed. Facial liposuction is particularly unique because the fat is in very select and limited compartments, thus limiting how much facial slimming can be achieved. There are several discrete compartments of the face in which face can be reduced and includes the buccal space, perioral mounds, submental, lateral neck, lateral face and jaw angle area. Liposuction can help provide some refinement and mild sculpting to the face but it is best not to overestimate its facial slimming potential. Facial contour improvement is possible but removing all the fat is the face is impossible.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana