Facial liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to eliminate localized fat deposits and enhance facial contours. This method is particularly effective for addressing double chins, sculpting cheekbones, and reducing fullness in the cheek area. During liposuction, a thin, small cannula is used, minimizing the size of incisions and providing precise access to each facial zone.
The procedure is performed under sedative anesthesia, ensuring comfort for the patient and ease of operation for the surgeon. After the surgery, patients may experience swelling, and after 2-3 days, minor bruising that may settle around the neck (which is normal). However, these symptoms typically disappear within 1-2 weeks. The results of facial liposuction become noticeable as swelling subsides after 1.5-2 weeks and are usually long-lasting, especially when maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stable body weight.
Facial liposuction is conducted in two areas:
-
Chin liposuction: This operation can eliminate a double chin or excess fat under the jawline.
-
Cheek liposuction (including buccal fat removal): This procedure is performed on the face and helps make cheekbones more defined, giving the face a slimmer and more sculpted appearance. It is one of the most popular surgeries among individuals in the European and American modeling and showbiz industry.
Often, this procedure is combined with thread installation, mini-lifts, or SMAS lifts.
Brief information about the surgery
-
Surgery Time: 20 – 30 minutes
-
Type of Anesthesia: Sedation
-
Hospitalization: 1 – 2 hours
-
Return to Normal Life: The next day
-
Clinic Visits: 2-3 times
-
Stitches Removal: 7-14 days
Why patients consider facial liposuction in South Korea?
Patients consider facial liposuction for several reasons:
-
Improving facial contours and proportions: Many patients desire clearer and defined facial contours. Liposuction helps remove excess fat deposits in the chin, cheeks, or neck area, contributing to a slimmer and sculpted facial appearance.
-
Reducing the effects of aging: As people age, they often develop fat deposits on their faces that are difficult to eliminate with diet and exercise. Facial liposuction can effectively remove these deposits, giving the face a younger and fresher look.
-
Boosting self-esteem and confidence: Excess fat deposits on the face can negatively impact self-perception and self-confidence. Liposuction can help improve appearance and, as a result, enhance self-esteem and confidence.
Who is a suitable candidate for the surgery?
An ideal candidate for facial liposuction possesses the following characteristics:
-
Good physical health: Absence of serious illnesses or medical conditions that could increase the risk of complications during or after the operation.
-
Skin elasticity: Good skin elasticity is essential for proper contraction after fat removal.
-
Localized fat deposits: Presence of areas on the face with excess fat deposits resistant to diet.
-
Realistic expectations: Understanding that facial liposuction is a method to enhance facial contours, not a universal solution for weight loss.
-
Stable weight: Ideal candidates maintain a stable weight, as significant weight fluctuations can affect the results of the procedure.
Why South Korea leads in cosmetic surgery and liposuction
South Korea annually performs more cosmetic procedures and surgeries than any other country in the world. Local doctors are considered the most educated and competitive globally, as only 0.01% of medical school graduates can become plastic surgeons here. South Korea’s medical equipment and technology are on par with the USA and Germany, placing it among the top three countries with the best-equipped clinics.
All liposuction procedures are conducted in accredited clinics with permission to treat foreign patients and have in-house anesthesiologists. Surgeons operating on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience, specialize in liposuction, and perform no more than 2 surgeries per day. Fill out the questionnaire to calculate your treatment cost, schedule a preliminary consultation, and prepare a plan for your trip to South Korea for the surgery.
How to prepare for liposuction in South Korea:
-
Fasting: Refrain from eating and drinking for 8 hours before the procedure. Take a shower.
-
Medication: Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen (including Advil or Motrin), and other medications that can increase the risk of bleeding for two weeks before the surgery. Tylenol is prohibited only within 3 days before the operation.
-
Smoking: Do not smoke, including hookah and e-cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down tissue healing. If you smoke, the doctor may recommend quitting before the surgery. Some surgeons refuse to operate on smoking patients due to the high risk of complications. It is unsafe to be near smoking relatives and friends or in public smoking areas.
-
Medical history: Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses and any recent medications. Please do not hide this information from the surgeon and coordinators.
-
Consultation: Visit the surgeon for an examination and show them photos of your desired results. Try to select photos where the patient’s body type is similar to yours.
-
Medical tests: If you have had tests done less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. If not, all necessary tests will be performed in Korea.
-
Transportation: Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or assist you after the operation if you plan to arrive by car.
-
Prepare essentials: Place items next to your bed that you may need during rest, such as lip balm, water, a chocolate bar, or your mobile phone.
The liposuction process in South Korea
Before taking the patient to the operating room, the surgeon sketches the design on the face. Don’t worry about marker traces remaining on the skin – after the operation, medical staff will wipe the liposuction area with warm towels.
Before starting the operation, the patient is taken to the restroom, asked about their well-being and their last intake of food and water, and placed on the operating table. A catheter is inserted into the hand or leg, through which drugs used before anesthesia enter the bloodstream. The operation area is disinfected, and the patient’s hands and feet are secured with belts to minimize the risk of movement during sleep. Blood pressure is measured, a sedative solution is administered, and the patient’s condition is checked.
Once the medication takes effect, and the patient is asleep, the surgeon administers a pain-relieving injection (usually in the buttocks) and begins the operation. First, a medical solution is injected under the skin, turning solid subcutaneous fat into liquid, and a few minutes later, it is suctioned out using a cannula.
After completing the fat removal procedure, the incision edges (2-4mm) are sutured with threads, the operation area is dried with towels, the patient is awakened, and they are assisted to the ward for further rest and recovery.
What to expect after surgery
After the surgery is completed, the translator and medical nurses will wake you up and assist you in moving to your room. Most patients do not remember this moment and it may feel like they woke up in a warm bed, thanks to the effects of anesthesia.
In the first 10-20 minutes after awakening, you may feel a slight chill, but this will quickly pass. There is a warming mattress on your bed to make this period more comfortable. You will experience minimal pain, as it is alleviated by pain-relieving injections and medications used during the surgery. You will be offered a chance to rest, drink orange juice, and eat porridge to aid in a faster recovery. If you do not experience symptoms such as nausea and dizziness, the clinic staff will begin preparing you for discharge. You can change clothes, put on a compression bandage, collect your medications and recommendations, and head home.
Every time you strain the area where the surgery was performed, you may feel discomfort similar to muscle soreness. However, in a resting position, there will be no painful sensations, and within 5-7 days, your body will recover.
Schedule a consultation with the clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today! You can book a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or contacting us via any messenger at +82-10-4214-9603.
Recovery process and description of procedures after facial liposuction
Immediately after the procedure: There are no painful sensations at rest, and medical fluid may be discharged from the sutures (do not be alarmed if it is red in color). You can leave the clinic within 1-3 hours after the surgery if you do not experience symptoms such as nausea, weakness, and dizziness.
Day 1-2: The surgical area starts to swell, and bruises may appear. Try to move and walk as much as possible: this helps reduce swelling and accelerate recovery.
Days 3-7: Swelling reaches its maximum and gradually begins to decrease. Bruises (if present) start to turn yellow. Both swelling and bruises may extend beyond the surgical area, including the cheeks and neck. Do not be alarmed; this is a natural part of the rehabilitation process.
Days 7-14: Reduction of swelling, possible disappearance of bruises, return to normal life. The surgeon removes the sutures, and you can start taking showers without waterproof plasters. Regular extended walks are recommended for faster recovery. Do not forget to apply a healing ointment to dissolve the sutures; soon, the fact that the surgery was performed will become unnoticeable.
Days 14-21: Patients perform daily activities without discomfort. Intensive workouts and physical exercises should still be avoided.
Days 21-30: Swelling continues to diminish, and a new facial shape gradually emerges.
Days 31-60: Residual swelling gradually subsides, symmetry is restored. You can start engaging in sports, swim in the sea or pool.
Days 60-90: Swelling completely disappears, and the rehabilitation process is nearing completion.
6 months after the surgery: Full rehabilitation is achieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
We provide our patients with a final cost that includes post-operative care, anesthesia, room stay, medications, and even VAT (which can be refunded as tax-free). The cost of chin liposuction ranges from 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 KRW, while the cost of full-face liposuction ranges from 3,000,000 to 4,200,000 KRW, depending on the clinic and the patient's initial condition. Accredited plastic surgeons in Korea caution that the price of the surgery may change after a personal examination, measurements of the patient's parameters, and information about whether your surgery is the first or a revision.
Facial liposuction takes 20-30 minutes.
With a properly conducted surgery, sensitivity will fully return within three months after the operation (usually taking 2-3 weeks).
Each surgeon has their own rules. Usually, this is done on the 7th or 14th day.
In the areas of punctures just below the ears, small red dots measuring 2-4 mm will be visible for several weeks. They will start to lighten after about 2 months and almost completely disappear in 6-12 months. If you want to speed up the process, don't forget to apply scar-reducing ointment or use silicone patches.
You can return to your daily life as early as the day after the surgery.
The procedure can be performed from the age of 16 with the consent of a guardian.
In just one and a half weeks, most of the swelling will subside, and you will be able to see the new shape of your face. However, the final result will be visible in 3-6 months.
If the surgery was performed by an experienced surgeon and you followed the rehabilitation rules, there should be none.
Within 1-2 weeks after the surgery.
There are no restrictions on the number of areas for facial liposuction.
The skin may itch due to wearing a compression bandage, which is completely normal and will soon pass. You can use a skin cream to reduce itching.
Around the clock for the first 2 weeks, then it can be briefly removed during the day but must be worn at home and at night, and for the next 2-4 weeks, it should be worn before bedtime.
It should be at least three months after giving birth and the end of breastfeeding.
Yes, it is possible already 2-3 months after the surgery, there are no restrictions.
A repeat surgery will not be necessary if your surgery was performed by an experienced doctor, and you did not gain more than 15-20 kg.
You can start exercising 4 weeks after the surgery.
Yes, just be sure to inform us about your plans for other surgeries.
Surgeons agree that any time of year is equally comfortable for patients. The most popular seasons for plastic surgeries are spring and autumn, so we recommend booking at least 1-2 months before the surgery during these times.
Yes, this option is available.
Before & After
Step 1: Fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE
First and foremost, you need to fill out a form. This will help us and the surgeons better understand your expectations and review your medical history. In the form, be sure to provide your personal information, details about any previous surgeries, and your current health condition. Unfortunately, patients with HIV infection are not eligible for plastic surgeries in Korea.
Step 2: Attach photos
Attaching photos of the areas of your body or face that you would like to have corrected is a crucial step. This allows us to make a preliminary cost estimate and direct you to a specialist who can address your concerns.
Step 3: Submit and wait for confirmation
After submitting the form and photos, your application will be reviewed, and we will contact you to confirm details and schedule a consultation.
Step 4: Prepare for the consultation
Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask the coordinator and surgeon during the consultation. We recommend bringing a phone with notes or a notepad to help you stay organized and obtain all the information you need. Additionally, you can always ask any questions you have in a personal chat created for discussing the details of your trip.