Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction was invented in 1985 by dermatologic surgeon Jeffery Klein, MD. There have been numerous improvements to the procedure but the most significant is using local anesthetic in combination with other medications in order to remove the need for general anesthesia.

Tumescent liposuction is considered to be the safest form of liposuction. Having tumescent liposuction makes a hospital stay unnecessary help with cutting liposuction cost. There is less bleeding, less swelling, and less pain during the recovery process. The local anesthesia remains for up to 16 hours which lessens or completely removes the need for pain medications.

Tumescent liposuction is a process in which anesthesia and other medications are injected into the fat which then swells and becomes firm allowing for more control in fat removal and easier sculpting of a body part. It is one of the safest forms of liposuction. The patient is awake and alert during the tumescent liposuction procedure and can assist the surgeon by changing position if necessary to help get a better end result.

The tumescent liposuction procedure itself has the fat being injected with a mixture of epinephrine, and lidocaine. Lidocaine is the anesthetic. This solution causes the fat to swell up and become firm, which allows for easier removal of the fat and better sculpting results.

The fat removal during tumescent liposuction is basically the same as traditional liposuction surgery. A small incision is made into the area being worked on. A small hollow tube, or cannula, is inserted into the incision and the fat is then sucked out with the help of a vacuum. No sutures are required, and there is minimal recovery time.

As with other types of liposuction, tumescent liposuction is not a weight loss tool. Diet and exercise remain the best tools for weight loss. Tumescent liposuction is used to remove stubborn, unwanted fat that does not respond to diet and exercise.

You should make sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions about tumescent liposuction; educate yourself with as much liposuction information as possible so you can make educated decisions about your health and body.