|
Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Liposuction
1. How many techniques are there for facial
liposuction?
2. Is facial liposuction permanent?
3. What does a typical facial liposuction consultation entail?
4. How is facial liposuction performed?
5. Where are the incisions made; are there any scars?
6. What should I expect post-operatively?
7. Is it quite painful? Is there much bruising?
8. When will I be able to return to work?
9. When will I be able to see the results?
10. What are the risks of facial liposuction?
11. What is Arnica montana, I have heard that it reduces swelling and
bruising? Which is the best kind to take?
There is the tumescent technique which is widely used by doctors every
where. There is also the ultra sonic technique which can leave patients with serious post-operative burns if not performed
correctly or without care. The high
frequency waves excite the water particles (or any fluid) causing
them to boil beneath the skin as well as damaging superficial tissues as well.
With the tumescent technique, if the surgeon does not
over inject the
area with a Lidocaine solution, this technique is proving pretty successful.
Once upon a time they just
shoved the cannula in there and sucked away. With the tumescent technique, they engorge
the tissues with a saline/Lidocaine/epinephrine solution and suction the fat cells which are
not
engorged with the solution. This technique also hinders of suctioning out of tissues that
are not targeted for removal and lessens bleeding. However, if a surgeon injects too
much of the solution the patient can get Lidocaine toxicity which can cause sickness,
complications and sometimes death. Although Lidocaine toxicity is most often seen in body
sculpture where large amounts of solution in injected within the body and the operation my
require a longer period of anesthesia.
To a certain degree, yes. Although the
remaining fat cells will expand, and sometimes divide, if you over eat
and gain weight again. Liposuction, in any application, is not to be used for weigh loss.
Patients have died from suctioning out too much of their body weight.
Your body
needs fat to function -- period. Of course this pertains to body lipo as you don't
exactly store enough fat in your face and neck to constitute death by excessive
removal. You must realize, that if you gain weight you will re-gain
the fat stores in your neck and face. Although it may not look the same or be as
much.
First off, your doctor will discuss your goals with you and he will explain what can be
achieved realistically. A surgeon should take into account what your facial features and
underlying bone structure is and be able to recognize where your facial fat is needed.
Which is pretty much everywhere. Beware of the doctor that wants to remove all of your
facial fat. You need the majority of facial fat, especially in the cheek area or you will
look very drawn or gaunt. The majority of facial liposuction patients have the
complaint of facial fat under the chin and jaw line (upper neck area). There is no
one size fits all technique when it comes to this procedure. It is all
individual. Just like you!
Small incisions are made within the natural folds of the
face and under the chin or jaw line. Normally an endoscopic technique is used and the
excess fat is suctioned out through these small incisions. Sometimes a tumescent
technique is used where a solution of saline (delivery and tumescent agent ), Lidocaine
(pain reliever) and epinephrine (prohibits bleeding) are injected into the targeted area.
This technique's purpose is to engorge the tissues with the solution for a firmer
working area and the fat cells (which are softer) are suctioned out. The epinephrine
prohibits bleeding during the operation and less blood is lost during the procedure.
There is a technique which involves ultrasonic waves.
These ultrasonic waves excite the tissues water molecules (fat molecules being the target)
and literally melt the fat into a liquid for ease of removal by suction.
Unfortunately, each patient's molecules may react differently or in the case of unskilled
surgeons, may improperly handle the equipment resulting in severe burns.
Either way, the targeted fat is suctioned out, sutures
are sometimes used in the closure of incisions and a support garment is worn for proper,
compact healing.
The incisions are made within the natural folds of the
face, under the jaw line or chin. Unnecessary scarring is generally avoided in all
techniques. Discuss with your doctor his or incision placement of choice and why?
You may feel a little sore but excessive pain is
very rare in facial liposuction. Your pain relievers prescribed by your doctor
should alleviate this pain. There will be swelling and your doctor may prescribe a
pharmaceutical grade Arnica montana for the relief of this. There may be some bruising but
the Arnica montana will help alleviate some of this. You will be asked to wear a support garment
postoperatively for the first few days and then only at night for a few weeks if there was
excessive removal of facial fat. This will insure proper healing in the surrounding
tissues for a more compact appearance.
It takes about a week and a half
for most of the swelling to subside. There is really not too much bruising with average
cases, although it should be looked upon as individual. Some are prone to bruising more
than others. Some doctors prescribe a pharmaceutical grade Arnica montana product called
SinEcch and a topical ointment as well. These two products are thought to decrease both bruising and swelling in all procedures
and in most cases have shown a significant decrease in both complaints. You should take
your prescribed pain medication to alleviate any pain or discomfort that you may
experience.
Most patients return to work within 2 weeks.
Although some patients have
returned just after 5 days. It is highly individual. The swelling is more than likely the
main reason people tend to take off work. The bruising, if any, can be camouflaged with
cosmetics. Still, you should not bend over or exercise until well after 3
weeks post-op.
After the swelling subsides you will begin to notice a difference in the
compact appearance of your tissues. It is advised to take before and after photos to fully
appreciate the results as a gradual decrease in swelling will give your mind time to
accustom itself to the changes. They may not seem too great to you, but with photos your
appreciation and understanding of the results are clarified through visual realization.
Back to Top
Although, the risks with facial
liposuction are less than body liposuction there are risks involved. There are more risks
with liposuction due to the fat and its surrounding tissues becoming necrotic (dead
tissue). If the fat becomes necrotic from lack of blood supply, the fat tends to turn
orange-ish clear and drain from the incision. If the tissue becomes necrotic,
that's a completely different story. You must have the tissue removed before a major
infection develops, possibly causing gangrene. Even with the ultrasonic technique,
patients have been known to receive actual burns from the ultrasonic technique.
The fat is
actually melted within the body by 'exciting' the fat molecules with high frequency radio
waves and is suctioned out. There may be asymmetry, hyper-pigmentation (permanent dark
spots) from the bruising. Major blood loss is a factor is some cases.
As is hematoma and
infection. Liposuction is NOT the way to lose weight.
Another risk of liposuction* is pulmonary
Thromboemboli. A thromboebolus is a blood clot and this blood clot can
break free and travel to the lungs resulting in pulmonary Thromboemboli. This can put a
patient into adult breathing distress and subsequently into cardiac arrest or coma. Pulmonary Thromboemboli can happen within three (3)
weeks of the surgery but will most likely show symptoms of shortness of breath and fatigue
within the first 72 hours. However, pulmonary Thromboemboli can occur suddenly, without
warning. Most patients with P.E. collapse and begin rapid deterioration after attempting
to climb a flight of stairs.
*facial liposuction risks are far
less than body liposuction due to the amount of fat that is suctioned and disrupted.
also
known as: Mountain Tobacco, Mountain Arnica, Common Arnica, Leopard's Bane
and Sneezewort
plant family: Asteraceae
type: Herbaceous perennial
parts used: Roots and flowers
description: Arnica montana or Leopard's Bane is a perennial herb,
growing close to the ground. The leaves form a flat rosette, from the center of
which rises a flower stalk, 1 to 2 feet high, bearing orange-yellow flowers. The
rhizome is dark brown, cylindrical, usually curved, and bears brittle wiry
rootlets on the under surface.
habitat: Indigenous to Central Europe, in woods and mountain pastures,
although it has been found in England and Southern Scotland.
warning: This herb should NEVER be taken in raw form. This plant, like
many medicinal plants if ingested, can cause intestinal bleeding, abdominal
cramping and sickness. Homeopathy is the medicinal use of tinctures and
suspensions using herbs and other plants and should never be consumed without
proper preparation. Only respectable homeopathic remedies and tinctures should
be consumed.
Other products or supplements
that you may heard of or have been recommended may be Bromelain, Vitamin A,
Vitamin K or Vitamin C -- please discuss these with your surgeon if you are
interested or have questions.
ALWAYS ASK YOUR SURGEON FIRST
BEFORE TAKING ANY MEDICATION.
|
