Liposculpture

Liposculpture involves the removal of fat from an area, usually where there is an excess of it, using a technique called the tumescent technique in which dilute local anasthesia is used. Gentele liposuction is then performed, and the fat is grafted in the face as a filler in areas from which it is deficient. Fat is not particularly useful around the lips because as a graft it cannot survive.

Bruising typically lasts at least one week, and swelling lasts up to four weeks. The fat usually lasts for a very long time and in general does not require reinjection. Occasionally spots are missed, and additional fat injection is required.

Fat is not useful around the lips because as a graft it cannot survive in a host site where movement, e.g., swallowing, chewing, and talking occur, as the graft does not have as good a chance of survival. We rarely put fat in the lips for this reason and suggest other filler substances.

Liposculpture is exceedingly useful, however, in filling out the brows, eyelids, cheeks, and any other hollows that exist in the face. It is also useful for sculpturing the jaw line and I occasionally use it in patients who have had over-resections elsewhere, either from prior liposuction and/or facelift.

The procedure is done in the office or OR and requires a downtime of 1-4 weeks depending on where the fat is injected and how much is injected.

Some examples of patients are shown below.

	Click any image for a closer look at before and after photos.