What Is Tumescent Liposuction?

When a surgeon performs tumescent liposuction, he or she infuses a solution made of a local anesthetic as well as other types of medications into the patient. This solution fills the fatty layer of the skin before the surgeon removes the unwanted fat. The infiltration of the anesthetic fluid makes the fatty tissue puffy and firm.  When the tissue is in this firmer state, removing the fat is much easier, which allows for greater access to the areas of concern.

This is not a procedure that requires hospitalization, as general anesthesia is not used. This is actually an outpatient type of procedure done while the patient is conscious, making it quicker to recuperate from than other procedures.

One of the really great things about this type of procedure is that because there is no general anesthetic used, the patient is awake, and the surgeon can have the patient reposition themselves when necessary so he or she can easily reach all of the target areas.

What about risks?  With any type of surgical procedure, there are going to be some risks involved, however tumescent liposuction is one of the least risky cosmetic surgery procedures, and there are few side effects when the procedure is performed according to the recommended guidelines.  This means that the dosage of local anesthetic used has to be monitored and limited to the maximum appropriate for the weight of the individual patient. Medical clearance when indicated and blood work to verify normal function of the liver, kidneys, blood count and clotting function are advisable to ensure that no underlying medical conditions are present that would make the procedure inadvisable.

Where Does Tumescent Liposuction Work Best?

When fat is resistant to diet and exercise and the thickness of the layer is an inch or more, tumescent liposuction can be a good way to remove that fat to contour the body.

The best results are going to be on parts of the body that already do have some muscle tone such as the upper and lower abdomen unless the abdominal wall has been weakened due to stretching from childbirth or if the skin over the area does not have good elasticity.

In addition to the above areas, you can have tumescent liposuction on pretty much any part of your body that needs it, including the hips, love handles, the back, inner and outer thighs, arms, lower legs, and even on the neck areas to remove a double chin. Anyone who is considering having a liposuction procedure knows that the decision to do so is not one to be taken lightly.

There are many things to consider, such as whether or not the patient is a good candidate for this type of procedure, what types of results are expected, cost, and much more.

It is important to have realistic expectations and understand that the purpose of the procedure is to remove unwanted bulges in areas to give the body a better shape.  It should not be looked upon as a way to remove unwanted pounds.

If you are thinking about having liposuction, it works best if you are within 10% of your ideal body weight. Your weight should be stable or declining.  If you are in a phase where your weight has been steadily going up then this can be a warning sign that you are not ready to have the procedure done.  The weight gain would likely continue after the procedure and the benefit of the surgery would be lost.

It goes without question that eating healthy and exercising regularly after the procedure is mandatory.  Recent studies have shown that individuals who do not exercise regularly after abdominal liposuction are at risk for accumulating fat inside of the abdominal cavity around the internal organs. Regular exercise three or four times a week can prevent this.

For those who wish to have liposuction, tumescent liposuction is one of the safest ways to have this type of procedure performed. It allows surgeons to remove the excess fat, and use smaller instruments to create a smoother result.