Tumescent Liposuction


What is Tumescent Lipo?

Tumescent lipoplasty has been available since the 1980s and is thought of as the most effective method of liposuction available today. Compared to other liposuction techniques, it has two main advantages – it only requires a local anaesthetic (which is generally thought of as ‘safer’) and can be performed via small incisions, making it minimally invasive and quicker to recover from. Thanks to the use of local anaesthetic, the surgeon is more able to feel the musculature beneath the skin, and therefore more accurately remove the fatty tissue. When using general anaesthetic, a surgeon may be more cautious and therefore not remove as much fat, giving a less pleasing result.

The Procedure

A ‘tumescent solution’, made up of lidocaine anaesthetic and a weak adrenaline solution is injected to firm up the fatty tissue and make it easier to target. It totally numbs the area, practically reduces bleeding and assists in almost painless fat removal. Tumescent liposuction uses a small, slender tube known as a cannula which is connected to either a syringe or vacuum device which will draw out the fatty cells. Small incisions are made in the skin of the area which will be treated and the cannula inserted. The required amount of fat is suctioned through the cannula, leaving a thinner layer of fat cells in the desired area. This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and can take up to an hour or thereabouts, depending on the size of the area being treated. Patients are awake and comfortable throughout the procedure and as the local anaesthetic can last up to 16 hours after surgery, any post-operative discomfort is immediately minimised.

The Advantages

Tumescent liposuction offers several advantages over other modes of liposuction. These are mostly attributed to the use of local anaesthetic, as there is less chance of nausea or other side effects which usually occur after general anaesthesia. Due to the fact that it is a minimal surgical procedure, recovery time is quicker, there is less chance of scarring from the small incisions made for the cannula, and it is a more precise procedure meaning it is unlikely a second procedure would be needed on the same area. There is also less blood and fluid loss during a tumescent liposuction, meaning there is no need for blood transfusions, which were often required in the past with other forms of liposuction.

Recovery

Recovery time is minimal as it is not considered to be a large surgical procedure. Most patients recovering from tumescent liposuction feel they are able to go back to work after or within one week, depending on the location and size of the area that has been treated. A full aftercare programme is recommended to minimise the risk of infection and patients should not take part in any strenuous activity for a while until fully recovered. The incisions made during the procedure heal quickly and leave minimal or no scarring, whilst the results of the liposuction are instantaneous.