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Introduction to ONFA Liposuction

Everyone’s body is different, including how fat is distributed. In most instances, we can maintain a svelte figure through disciplined diet and exercise. However, stubborn fat areas refractory to lifestyle rigour can still persist. These areas include the face and neck, the upper arms, the axilla and armpits (especially in women with possible ‘accessory breasts’), the love handles, and the inner and outer thighs. Thankfully, there are now procedures that can help to permanently reduce these areas of stubborn fat.

Stubborn fat can reduce the attractiveness of the face. An attractive face includes a well-defined jaw and chin line, stronger in men and more delicate with a V-shape in women. In the lateral silhouette, there should be the gentle curve of the convex chin leading to a firm under chin area (submentum), with a distinct angle (cervico-mental angle) delineating the submentum from the lower neck. 

Poorly defined jaw and chin lines can be due to one or a combination of anatomical anomalies in the structures of the chin and neck. First of all, a retruded chin leads to the loss of anterior support for the neck line. This can be improved with chin enhancement via a genioplasty, chin implant, or enhancement with filler or fat. Moving down to the submentum, a variety of factors, including loose skin, excess fat under the skin or muscle, or loosening of supporting structures in the neck, can lead to the loss of neck definition and a double-chin or turkey-gobbler chin appearance. Treatment options to improve these deformities depend on the cause, and can include minimally-invasive skin tightening procedures, surgical neck lift, or in a large number of cases, the removal of fat through liposuction (ONFA Liposuction).

Understanding Liposuction

Liposuction refers to the reduction of subcutaneous fat using a specialized cannula attached to a suction apparatus. The suction apparatus can be in the form of a syringe or suction bottle, and can be enhanced with modalities such as VASERTM or power-assisted handpieces. The incisions by which liposuction is performed are small (<4mm) and are strategically placed to make the procedure almost scarless. Through planned, uniform inward and outward movements of the liposuction cannula, fat in any area of the body can be removed in a smooth and efficient manner, from both the superficial and the deep layers. More defined liposuction can also be performed with a smaller cannula in certain areas to highlight the natural contours and shadows of the body, in what is termed ‘high-definition’ liposuction. Liposuction has become an important tool for the plastic surgeon, both for the removal of unwanted fat as well as the harvesting of fat for transfer to other parts of the body for enhancement, for example, to the breasts.

 liposuction-bpdy-tummy

The face and neck are areas with multiple nerves and blood vessels, and care must be taken not to injure the facial nerves during any procedure in this region, as this could lead to facial asymmetry. Using intricate knowledge of face and neck anatomy as well as smaller cannulas, plastic surgeons can carefully extract subcutaneous fat from areas of excess, such as the submentum and jowl areas, and perform shadowing at the jawline where more definition is required. This is the definitive treatment for the double chin, and can also help with the ageing neck, possibly in combination with treatments to aid with tightening of the neck skin, such as VASER, Morpheus 8 or FaceTite RFAL (Radiofrequency Assisted Lipo-removal). Best of all? As long as the patient continues to watch his lifestyle habits, this procedure is permanent and really once and for all.

ONFA Liposuction for the Face, Chin, and Neck

The benefits of ONFA Liposuction to the face, chin, and neck, are the creation of a defined, attractive jawline and lower face in all profiles. The jowls of can be reduced and flattened, and the cervicomental angle can be accentuated. The ‘full cheek’ appearance will be improved. Fat removal tends to be permanent, and in cases where there is a large amount of excess fat removed, can even improve snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) symptoms by reducing effect heavy soft tissue of the neck can have on the airway.

The procedure itself can be performed as same day surgery and under local anaesthesia. The incisions are barely visible, and oftentimes the bruising is minimal. The majority of swelling resolves within the first 2 weeks, and most patients can get back to full activities and exercise at that point in time.

Ideal Candidates for Face, Chin, and Neck Liposuction

The best candidate for ONFA liposuction of the face, neck and chin are those where the majority of soft tissue fullness is due to excess subcutaneous fat. These are the individuals who will see the most significant difference after the procedure. Ideally, the chin should not be too retruded. The fullness should not be due to other structures in the neck like muscle or salivary glands, or to excess loose skin. They should be relatively healthy with no or well controlled medical problems. Seeing a qualified plastic surgeon will allow a thorough assessment of these factors as well as the appropriate recommendations. It is important that the options for treatment are thoroughly discussed to enable the individual to make the right choice to achieve the results they desire. Besides fat reduction through liposuction, other modalities may be recommended simultaneously or after the liposuction to help improve the neck contour through tightening of the skin and underlying attachments to the muscle. These modalities include radiofrequency devices (e.g. Morpheus 8 or FaceTite RFAL) and laser devices.

 

ONFA Liposuction Procedure: Step-by-Step & Results

Before surgery, you may be asked to stop any medications or supplements that can increase the risk of bruising and swelling. If you are a smoker, it is best to abstain from smoking for at least 2 weeks before and after the procedure, to minimize the risk of complications. If sedation or general anaesthesia is chosen for the procedure, you will need to fast for at least 6 hours prior.

On the day of surgery, your plastic surgeon will see you before the procedure to clear any questions you may have, and to mark the areas for liposuction as well as any danger zones to avoid. You will be tucked comfortably onto the procedure table and the area in question will be cleaned thoroughly and isolated with sterile drapes. A small amount of local anaesthesia using a very small needle will be applied at the areas of access for the liposuction cannula. For the face, chin and neck, this can be at the jowls, corner of the mouth, under the chin, or below the earlobes. Once you are comfortable, small stab incisions are made, usually 2-3mm in length. The subcutaneous fatty plane will be infiltrated with a numbing fluid and left to take effect for a few minutes. The liposuction will then be carried out through the incisions, in a gentle and uniform manner to ensure consistency in results. Any areas where important nerves may lie will be avoided. The procedure usually takes about 30-60 minutes, depending on the amount of fat that needs to be removed and whether other adjuncts are used to help. The stab incisions are either closed with a small absorbable stitch under the skin or taped.

Post-surgery, you may be asked to wear a neck pressure garment to help relieve swelling and bruising. This can be worn at home, and it is advisable to wear it as much as possible for the first couple of weeks, which is when your first follow-up will be. There are no stitches to be removed. Massage as well as ice packs can be applied to the area of liposuction to help with recovery. After the first follow-up, there is usually a subsequent follow-up at 3 months to ensure scar and swelling resolution.

garment

 

Risks and Considerations

Complications of ONFA liposuction of the face and neck are rare, but possible. General procedural complications may include pain, bleeding, infection and scar. More specific to the face and neck where many nerves are located, is the risk of nerve injury leading to facial asymmetry. In a large majority of cases, these nerve injuries are temporary due to infiltration of numbing solution or irritation of the nerves from the liposuction cannula and swelling. The facial asymmetry in these cases usually resolve in a matter of weeks. It is extremely rare to have a permanent nerve injury from the liposuction procedure. However, to minimize this complication, it is important to seek the opinion of a fully qualified plastic surgeon whose rigorous training would include intricate knowledge of facial anatomy and techniques to avoid complications.

 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I talk and eat after the procedure?
Yes you can. Eating and talking are not an issue after liposuction of the face and neck.

Will I need someone to bring me home after the procedure?

If performed under local anaesthesia, it is possible that you can head home by yourself. If sedation or general anaesthesia is given, it is advisable to have someone bring you home. Either way, because of possible pain and discomfort after the procedure, it is prudent to have accompaniment home after the procedure.

Will the fat come back after liposuction?

ONFA liposuction is performed for areas of stubborn fat. These areas are usually refractory to diet and exercise. Once removed, the fat cells are gone forever. However, with an unrestricted diet and no exercise, fat can generally still accumulate in all areas of the body, including the area where liposuction is performed.

Can I perform liposuction after childbirth?

Yes you can, but it is advisable to wait at least 6 months after childbirth to allow the body to return to its natural state and avoid the impact of hormonal changes on fat distribution.

Conclusion

ONFA liposuction is designed to help you reduce areas of stubborn fat, where no amount of diet or exercise can help, Many patients find these procedures satisfying and liberating, especially when it comes to wearing certain types of clothing. It is a relatively straightforward procedure, with minimal downtime and risks if performed by a trained individual. For more information, please reach out to the plastic surgery team at Polaris Plastic & Reconstructive surgery to schedule an appointment, if just to answer any curious queries you may have. We look forward to helping you.

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