Chubby cheeks may have been cute when you were small, but if you would love to see a bit more of your cheekbones in the mirror as an adult, then it may be time to talk to a professional about facial fat removal, also known as facial liposuction. When you undergo this procedure at one of our Becker Plastics facilities in Philadelphia, PA, or Yardley, Princeton, and Voorhees, NJ, those fat cells will be gone for good.
What Is Cheek & Face Liposuction?
Facial liposuction removes the fat pouches that make your face look overly round. Once the procedure is complete and the swelling goes down, your face will be leaner and your cheekbones and jawline more visible. It’s important to note that this surgery is not a lifting procedure for sagging skin or facial jowls—it’s best for patients with good skin elasticity and excessive fullness in the face.
Cheek and facial liposuction is an outpatient procedure. It takes very little time for an experienced surgeon to perform, though you should plan to not be alone after the procedure as you will receive either a local or a general anesthetic, depending on your needs. You will also be given prep instructions to follow before your procedure in our Philadelphia office.
During your consultation for this procedure, your physician will give you recommendations on the steps to take prior to the procedure and the best aftercare behaviors. Your personal preparation may mean stopping certain medications, quitting smoking, and preparing for bruising and swelling that will probably last for about a week.
Facial Fat Removal Procedure
Depending on the best procedure for your skin and age, you will either get a general or a local anesthetic (with or without sedation). Small incisions will be made to allow the physician to break down the fat cells and extract them via a small tube. While this surgery doesn’t cut into muscle, it does require some recovery time.
You can expect soreness and some swelling after the procedure. You may get instructions for icing or wearing a compression garment to keep inflammation down. As guided by your surgeon, make sure that you keep the site cool and compressed to reduce any swelling and discoloration.
Prepare for Your Cheek & Face Liposuction Procedure
Most candidates for this procedure are in good health and of average weight. As you prepare for this surgery in our offices, make sure that you.
- Avoid tobacco products
- Eat a healthy diet and focus on antioxidants
- Stay hydrated
- Watch your caffeine intake
- Avoid alcohol
Choosing to undergo cosmetic surgery is a big step and a wonderful way to engage in some serious self-care; those chubby cheeks may have been a source of frustration and embarrassment since puberty. Our office staff and medical team are excited to help you on this journey.
Your pre-surgery routine can help prepare you for being in the best health of your life. Make space in your diet for plenty of berries and brightly colored veggies to increase your antioxidant levels before the procedure.
Recovering After Your Facial Liposuction Surgery
Your full recovery should not take more than four weeks. If possible, take a week off to stay on top of the worst swelling following your procedure at our New Jersey and Philadelphia offices. Always follow the icing and compression garment recommendations provided by your surgeon.
Never put ice right on your skin; even healthy skin can develop frostbite, which is painful and will add an unpleasant complication to your recovery process. Set the timer on your phone to the recommended time for icing your surgery site, generally between 10 and 20 minutes. Never lie down with an ice pack without setting your timer; you do not want to wake up with frostbite.
Wrap a bag of frozen peas in a soft cloth and gently place the cloth over the swelling. When the timer goes off, turn the bag and ice the other side of your face, then put the peas back in the freezer. Frozen peas are useful because they keep things cold without adding sharp corners or a lot of weight.
Attend your follow-up appointments so you can be sure that your incisions show no signs of infection. Any dressing changes should be addressed at that follow-up appointment.
Patient Reviews
Scheduling Your Facial Liposuction Consultation
During your consultation, you and your physician can discuss what this surgery can and can’t do. While facial liposuction can reduce fullness, it’s not a lift.
If you’re interested in tightening up the skin on your cheeks, another procedure may be needed. However, reducing the fullness of your cheeks may be just what you need for a confidence boost.
Bring a list of any medications you take to your consultation and remember to ask questions. This is your chance to get to know your surgeon and learn more about the procedure.
Why Choose Becker Plastics in New Jersey & Philadelphia?
The Becker Group in the northeastern United States is all about helping you look and feel like the best version of yourself. If there’s something about your appearance that you believe has always detracted from your best self, you can do something about it. Our experienced physicians and skilled aesthetic professionals can help you make the best choice for your cosmetic needs. You deserve to be proud of, and happy with, your appearance.
Complementary Procedures for Facial Fat Removal
There are non-surgical fat removal techniques that work on the body which are not practical for your face. However, if you’re interested in procedures that will draw attention to your best features without undergoing surgery, there are many additional treatments available in our Princeton office that can:
- Brighten skin, such as a mild to moderate chemical peel
- Tighten the skin, such as microneedling
Fillers and Botox can also reduce lines and wrinkles, leaving you looking healthier and more well-rested. Our technicians are well-versed in non-surgical skincare to give you a healthy glow.
Facial Liposuction Faqs
Genetics have a lot to do with having a round face. If your family is prone to having a full fat pad in their cheeks, you probably have them too. Losing more weight probably won’t change the size of those fat pads and surgery may be the best choice.
While there are many tools that involve cooling to remove fat cells on your abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, these aren’t really designed to work around your face. Additionally, you want a surgeon who can make sure that the volume reduction on both sides of your face is consistent so you don’t end up looking lopsided.
Any procedure with an incision is going to cause some discomfort. For most patients, the greatest source of discomfort is from excess swelling. Do make sure to ice and compress as instructed to keep swelling to a minimum; it will reduce bruising and can help you manage your post-op pain.
You should have a good idea of how slim your face will be after about four weeks.
If you live in the states of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, Becker Plastic Surgery offers cheek & face liposuction among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.
Contact Us For a Consultation at One of Our Offices in New Jersey & Philadelphia
When you’re ready to embrace a slimmer, more elegant jawline or sweeping cheekbones, contact the Becker Plastics group nearest you. You can find our offices in Voorhees, Yardley, and Princeton, New Jersey as well as in the city of Philadelphia. Your consultation in our facility will help you to understand what you need to do to prepare, how long the recovery will take, and when your results from facial liposuction will be visible.
ADDRESS:
256 Bunn Drive, Suite B
Princeton NJ 08540 US
PHONE:
(609) 874-7199
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Why choose the Doctors at Becker Plastic Surgery
Kirk Lozada, MD, FACS
- Completed his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and has trained with the top Facial Plastic Surgeons in Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey.
- Has traveled to Ica, Peru with Healing the Children on multiple occasions performing a high volume of cleft lip and palate surgery.
- Is currently a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and has numerous publications and presentations in the field of facial plastic surgery.
Daniel Becker, MD, FACS
- Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology (ENT).
- Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS).
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
- Top-Rated by US News and World Report, Philadelphia Magazine, South Jersey Magazine, Castle-Connelly, and others.
- Read more about rhinoplasty specialist Dr. Becker’s credentials
Nicole Schrader, MD, FACS
- She is a double board certified surgeon in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology & Head/Neck Surgery.
- Is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Has over 20 years of experience, 15+ years in private practice and has performed hundreds of facelift surgeries.
- Dr. Schrader Recognized as Best Plastic Surgeon by Town Topics Readers’ Choice Awards.