The Advantages of Tumescent Liposuction
Liposuction is not a new procedure. In fact, the first lipo-like surgery was performed in 1921 in France. While it resulted in infection and later an amputation, it started a trend that has shaped the way plastic surgery ahs evolved- the trend of finding a way to remove fat surgically. Today, patients seeking lipo often turn to the tumescent technique.
Developed by Dr. Jeffrey Klein,
the tumescent liposuction procedure allows the surgery to be performed under local anesthetic. The local anesthetic called lidocaine is injected directly into the fatty tissue along with a solution, such as epinephrine, that constricts the blood vessels. The fatty tissue absorbs the lidocaine, causing it to swell and become firm. It is then numbed and also somewhat liquefied, allowing for easier, pain-free removal. The epinephrine constricts the blood vessels, limited blood loss and also preventing the blood vessels from taking the lidcoaine away from the tissue. This procedure requires a smaller canula to remove the tissue as well.
This surgery carries many benefits over the traditional lipo technique. One of the primary benefits is that little blood is lost. In traditional surgery, many patients require a blood transfusion due to the amount of blood lost in the procedure. With the tumescent version of the surgery, this is rarely the case. Most patients also do not need any IV fluid replacement.
Since the procedure is performed under local anesthetic, not general, the risk of serious reactions to the anesthetic is greatly lowered. Most patients have few complications after this surgery. Also, because of the general anesthetic, many patients have little pain for the first 24 hours post-surgery, which lessens the need for immediate drugs for pain relief.
When the fat tissue is inflated during the tumescent procedure, any defects are magnified. This makes it easier for the surgeon to see these and fix them during the treatment. This can lower the likelihood that they need to have a repeat procedure.
The smaller canula, limited blood loss, and gentler overall procedure lead to less swelling post-surgery with tumescent liposuction compared with the traditional procedure. For many patients, this limited swelling allows them to be up and on their feet within hours of surgery, and back to work or normal activities within a few days. The smaller canulas also limit the scarring because they require smaller incision sites. In fact, for some patients, the scars are practically invisible.
If you are considering tumescent liposuction, the first step is to find a plastic surgeon who performs this type of procedure. Then, discuss the pros and cons of this type of surgery versus the traditional type, including the differences in cost. If you feel that the pros outweigh he cons and your doctor feels that you are a good candidate, then schedule your procedure. Soon you will be a little more toned and lighter without those excess fatty deposits hanging on, and with the tumescent procedure, you will also have an easier recovery with fewer risks.
