Tumescent And Ultrasonic Liposuction - Which One Is Right For You?
If you want to get a liposuction, you've got two options - tumescent or ultrasound lipo. This article takes a look at both and tells you the pros and cons of each.
Are you thinking about getting liposuction? If so,
you're probably shopping around for plastic surgeons to do it for you. You also probably realize that there's a head-spinning number of different options when it comes to getting it done. In this article, we'll look at two of the industry's most effective techniques - ultrasonic and tumescent liposuction.
The "tumescent" technique has a fancy name, but it's actually the standard liposuction that's been performed widely throughout the US and Europe since the 1970's. It first fills the fatty tissue with tumescent fluid that stiffens the tissue, thus preventing any pain or bleeding. Following that, the tissue is then sucked out of the body using a device called a "cannula." It can be done with a minimum of incisions.
Ultrasonic lipo is similar in some ways. First off, the tumescent fluid is put into the fatty tissue to harden it. But this is where the technique offers something new. Using ultrasound, it melts this hardened tissue into a liquid. Once the fat has been liquefied, it is even easier for the cannula to suck it out of the body. This is a newer technique that offers lots of promise in terms of making the procedure faster and easier.
One of the biggest differences between the two techniques is simply that the tumescent method has been done for many years while ultrasonic lipo is fairly new. It's safe, of course, but many people prefer to stick to the classic procedure that's been around for decades. In all of that time the technique has been constantly improved, but it's a well-worn method that all plastic surgeons know. The other advantage to the tumescent method is that it's offered everywhere, whereas ultrasonic isn't available at some clinics.
Lots of surgeons like the ultrasonic method because it allows them to take the fat off of more sensitive areas. With the traditional method, it's hard to remove fat from areas like the chin, arms, neck or inner thigh. While the procedure is painless for most parts of the body, in these areas, it's too rough. Using the ultrasonic method, the fat becomes liquid which makes it easier to take out. For this reason, it's a gentler version of the operation, and this allows it to reach more sensitive areas.
One last difference is that ultrasonic costs much more than the traditional method. This is a deterrent for many people, especially considering the fact that the results gotten by the two methods are nearly the same. As more clinics adopt the use of ultrasonic liposuctions, the price will probably come down in the future.
So, which one is better for you? Even plastic surgeons can't agree on what type of liposuction is the best. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so talk to your doctor and see what they recommend. They can give you more detail on what to expect. Discuss with them the risks, costs and recovery process, and let this guide you in making your decision.