You deserve to love the way your body looks. Unfortunately, stubborn fat deposits can stick around even after weight loss and can diminish your confidence. The good news is that tumescent liposuction can remove unwanted fat and has a quicker recovery than traditional liposuction.
The Process of Tumescent Liposuction
A surgeon using the tumescent technique for liposuction will first clean and prepare the area of the body that they are removing fat from. The patient lays on an operating table and the doctor applies local anesthetic to the targeted area.
Then, the surgeon makes a small incision and inserts a cannula. This thin tube distributes the tumescent fluid.
This is a combination of three different components:
- Lidocaine – a local anesthetic
- Epinephrine – reduces bleeding/bruising
- Saline – dilutes the other substances
The fluid causes the targeted area to become tumescent (swollen), which is how this method gets its name. The surgeon then uses the cannula to suction out fat deposits.
How Does This Differ From Traditional Liposuction?
During traditional liposuction, surgeons use a larger cannula, which means there is a larger incision. This technique requires general anesthesia, whereas tumescent liposuction does not.
Tumescent liposuction is typically the preferred technique, although some clinics do still perform the traditional version of the procedure depending on the circumstances.
Benefits of Tumescent vs Traditional Liposuction
- Reduces risk of complications
- Eliminates the need for general anesthesia
- Quicker recovery (a few days on average, compared to a few weeks)
- Minimizes bleeding
- Smaller incision, and therefore a smaller scar
When to Consider Liposuction
Liposuction can remove stubborn fat deposits from any area of your body. However, it is important to understand that it is not a weight loss procedure. You should be at or very close to your ideal weight before considering liposuction.
Additionally, liposuction addresses fatty tissue only, not loose skin. If skin tightening is your primary goal, a tummy tuck, thigh lift, or body lift may be a better fit for you.
Patients who benefit the most from liposuction and other cosmetic procedures have realistic expectations about possible results. If you have any questions, we are happy to answer these for you. You can also view before and after photos both on our website and at our office to get an idea of what typical liposuction results look like.
Combining Procedures
If you have multiple concerns you wish to address at one time, it’s often possible to combine other procedures with your tumescent liposuction. A mommy makeover, for example, may include liposuction along with a tummy tuck and breast lift.
One thing to keep in mind is that general anesthesia is often necessary for other types of plastic surgery. Our surgeons can discuss the potential benefits and risk factors of combining procedures with you and will help you make an informed decision.
Liposuction In Tucson
If you are interested in liposuction, our plastic surgeons can help. We also perform a wide variety of other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures at our Tucson clinic.
