Facial liposuction in Korea removes fat from under the chin, along the jawline and sometimes from the lower cheeks through a thin cannula inserted via cuts a few millimeters long. It is usually done under local anesthesia, often with sedation, in about one hour. A chin strap or compression band is worn for several days, and swelling and bruising take one to two weeks to settle, so plan about a week in Seoul. Buccal fat removal is a different operation done from inside the mouth. The outcome depends heavily on skin elasticity: suction removes fat but does not tighten loose skin or lift the neck muscle.
Guide
Which areas of the face respond to suction
Suction works on fat that lies just under the skin. The area under the chin is the most common target, followed by the jowls along the jawline and, less often, a small pocket in the lower cheek beside the mouth. Fat in the upper cheeks, around the eyes and in the temples is generally left alone, because removing it tends to make the face look tired or older.
A full-looking lower face is not always caused by fat. Large chewing muscles, a wide jaw angle or a short chin can create the same impression, and suction will not change them. A surgeon should pinch the area, ask you to clench your teeth and look at your profile before deciding that fat is the main cause.
Guide
Why skin elasticity decides the result
After fat is removed, the skin has to shrink back onto the new contour. Younger skin with good elasticity usually does this well. Older or sun-damaged skin may hang lower once the supporting fat is gone, leaving a looser neck than before.
In a 2012 review in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Fattahi described the factors behind fullness under the chin and concluded that isolated liposuction helps only a limited group of patients. When muscle bands or loose skin contribute, the author favored formal cervicoplasty, an operation that combines open liposuction with tightening of the platysma muscle.
| Finding at consultation | What suction alone can do | What may be needed instead |
|---|---|---|
| Fat under the chin, firm skin | Usually a clear improvement | Often nothing more |
| Fat plus mild skin looseness | Partial change, skin may stay soft | Energy-based tightening or a small lift |
| Visible neck bands | Bands remain or look more obvious | Platysma tightening or a neck lift |
| Wide jaw from muscle or bone | Little or no change | Muscle toxin or bone contouring |
Guide
How buccal fat removal differs, and why caution is advised
The buccal fat pad sits deep in the cheek, between the chewing muscles. Removing part of it through a small cut inside the mouth thins the lower cheek, and it is often promoted on social media as a quick way to a sculpted look.
A 2018 review by Benjamin and Reish in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open found 121 citations on the procedure but only two case series of more than five patients, 53 patients in total, and none with long-term follow-up. The authors warned that hollowing with age and late secondary deformities have not been studied. Because the face loses volume naturally over the years, a cheek that looks sculpted at 25 may look gaunt at 45, and the removed fat cannot simply be put back.
Guide
Risks to weigh before facial fat removal
Common effects are swelling, bruising, numbness and firmness that last a few weeks. Less common but important problems include irregular or dented contours, visible asymmetry, and skin that looks looser than before. Over-removal is hard to correct, which is why surgeons aim to leave a smooth layer of fat under the skin.
- Injury to the marginal mandibular nerve, causing a weak or uneven lower lip.
- Injury to the parotid duct or facial nerve branches during buccal fat removal.
- Bleeding or a collection of blood under the chin that needs drainage.
- Infection at the entry points or inside the mouth.
- Hollow cheeks or a gaunt look appearing years later.
- Small scars at the entry points under the chin or behind the earlobes.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Buccal Fat Pad Excision: Proceed with CautionPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · 2018 · doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000001970
A literature review that found only two case series of more than five patients on aesthetic buccal fat pad excision, none with long-term follow-up on satisfaction, aging-related hollowing or late deformities.
- Submental Liposuction Versus Formal Cervicoplasty: Which One to Choose?Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery · 2012 · doi:10.1016/j.joms.2012.01.034
A review of submental aging arguing that isolated liposuction benefits only a limited group of patients and that cervicoplasty with platysmaplasty addresses more of the causes of fullness under the chin.
FAQ
Questions about Vline Lipo in Gangnam
How long do I need to wear the chin strap?
Most surgeons ask for the compression band to be worn almost all day for the first few days, then mainly at night for one to two weeks. The band helps the skin settle onto the new contour and limits swelling. Follow the exact schedule you are given, because surgeons differ, and bring the band home with you if you leave Seoul early.
Is fat removed from the face gone for good?
The fat cells that were suctioned out do not grow back, but the remaining cells can still enlarge if you gain weight. A stable weight keeps the result more consistent. Aging also continues, so the skin and muscles of the neck will change over time regardless of the surgery. Results vary from person to person. Keeping a steady weight is the most practical way to protect the new contour.
When can I see the final jawline after facial fat suction?
Most swelling fades within two to three weeks, but the area can feel firm or lumpy for one to three months while tissue heals. The final contour is usually judged at around three months. Gentle massage is sometimes advised after the first weeks, but only when your surgeon says so, since early pressure can worsen bruising. Photos taken in the same light help you compare.
Can fat-dissolving injections replace suction under the chin?
For a small pocket of fat they can be an alternative, though they usually need several sessions and cause marked swelling for a few days each time. Suction removes more fat at once and gives a more predictable shape, but it involves small cuts and a compression period. Neither tightens loose skin, so skin quality still decides which route is reasonable.
Who should not have fat removed from the face?
People with very loose neck skin, visible neck bands, an already thin face, or fullness caused by muscle or bone are poor candidates. Pregnancy, a bleeding disorder, blood thinners that cannot be paused and uncontrolled health problems are reasons to wait or choose another option. A careful consultation should explain when not to operate. It should also cover your medical history in detail.
Will people be able to see scars?
The cuts are a few millimeters long and are usually placed in the crease under the chin or behind the earlobes, where they tend to fade. Some people, especially those prone to darker scarring, may see small marks for several months. Buccal fat removal is done from inside the mouth, so it leaves no scar on the skin. Sun protection helps the marks fade.