Liposuction Techniques - Part 2

Tumescent liposuction technique

The tumescent liposuction technique, in which a large volume of very dilute solution of local anesthesia is injected, is the only technique that permits liposuction totally by the local anesthetic. The anesthetic (lidocaine and epinephrine) is infiltrated (injected) into the fat beneath the skin, causing the targeted area to become tumescent, in other words, swollen and firm. The local anesthetic lidocaine in the tumescent solution provides such complete local anesthesia, that it eliminates the need for general anesthesia, or IV sedation. The drug epinephrine (adrenalin) provides profound localized vasoconstriction that it virtually eliminates surgical bleeding during tumescent liposuction. By eliminating the risks of general anesthesia and the risks of excessive surgical bleeding, the tumescent technique for liposuction totally by local anesthesia has eliminated the greatest dangers associated with the older forms of liposuction.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL)

This is a new method, ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), in this procedure, sound waves are use to liquefy the fat after the injection of fluids.  ultrasound-assisted liposuction also minimizes trauma, causing less bruising and blood loss. UAL is particularly useful on fibrous areas of the body, such as the male breast, the upper abdomen, and the upper back, which are difficult to treat with traditional techniques.

Laser Liposuction

Also know as Laser Lipolysis or Liposculpture. This laser procedure was developed as an alternative to the manual method used in tumescent and traditional liposuction. It was also developed to help cosmetic surgeons target specific body parts that were difficult to access with the more traditional methods, but are perfectly suited to laser  body sculpting.

This liposuction technique is different than traditional liposuction. In some techniques of laser liposuction, suction is used, while in others no actual suction is actually used. Instead of using the cannula to remove fatty deposits beneath the skin, the cannula actually houses a laser and the laser is used to literally melt the fat of the target area away. After the fat has been liquefied using laser liposuction, it is drained from the body using tiny incisions or gently suctioned away. The procedure is considered gentler than other liposuction techniques because of the smaller cannula used and because of the smaller size of the incisions. This also means less scarring. Because of the heat used in the laser liposuction procedure, the body naturally reacts by contracting the tissues near procedure which causes the skin to tighten and become smoother.

Dry liposuction

An earlier method of liposuction, called dry liposuction because no liquefying agent was used, required general anesthesia. This technique is not in frequent use today.

The technique chosen for your operation will be determined by a combination of factors, including the precise area to be treated, the amount of fat to be removed, your surgeon’s training and experience, and your preferences.

Written by PBW

Liposuction Techniques - Part 1

There are various liposuction techniques. Some of those techniques are no longer considered safe (Dry Technique), and some are recognized as world-wide standards of care (Tumescent Technique). Each technique has benefits and drawbacks, while some older techniques have lost favor. The major features that distinguish the various liposuction techniques are the amount of solution that is injected under the skin before liposuction the use of any additional devices to assist routine liposuction.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction (known as lipoplasty, liposculpture suction lipectomy, or lipo) is a type of cosmetic surgery, the goal of the liposuction is break up and suck fat from various possible parts of the body. the most common liposuction procedures are made in the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, chin, neck, upper and backs of the arms, calves, and back. The fat is removed through a hollow instrument (called cannula) which is inserted under the skin. A high-pressure vacuum is applied to the cannula.

The amount of fat that can be removed safely by liposcution is limited. Liposuction permanently removes fat cells from the body. It can alter the shape of a body. However, if the patient does not lead a healthy lifestyle after the operation there is a risk that the remaining fat cells grow bigger.

Liposuction procedures are more effective when the person has a relatively normal weight, but would like to remove undesirable deposits of body fat in specific parts of the body. Liposuction are also effective when a person has a firm and elastic skin,  liiposuction does not remove cellulite, dimples or stretch marks.

Liposuction can alter the shape of the body because it permanently removes fat cells from the body, however, if the patient does not lead a healthy lifestyle after the operation there is a risk that the remaining fat cells grow bigger.

Some Liposuction Techniques:

Wet liposuction

In this procedures, a small amount of fluid with less volume than the amount of fat to be removed is injected into the target area. The fluid is similar to the one used in tumescent liposuction and minimizes bleeding and bruising. The fluid helps loosen the fat cells, and then fat cells are suctioned out.

Super-wet liposuction technique

The super-wet liposuction technique consists in the injection of a saline solution containing a local anesthetic and adrenaline into the area to be treated, which makes the fat deposits easier to break up and extract. This extra fluid also minimizes trauma to the surrounding tissue, reducing swelling and post-operative pain. The administration of adrenaline also decreases bleeding during surgery, further reducing risks.

See Liposuction Techniques - Part 2 in the next post ..........

Written by PBW

Liposuction

Liposuction, also known as Liposculpture or body contouring, is a medical procedure for the body and its goal is improve the body shape. Liposuction is a procedure that focuses on the sculpting and removal of fat resulting in wonderful shape changes. Liposuction has been used largely by millions of patients. It is estimated that half of all liposuction patients are between the ages of 35 and 50 and approximately one-third are between the ages of 19 and 34. 

A reason for the popularity of the lipoascution is that it can be performed on a wide variety of bodies and appeals to all age groups. Candidates for liposuction are men and women who have stubborn deposits of fat that have not responded to diet or exercise. Even people who appear thin or may be at their ideal body weight can have pockets of unwanted fat. 

Am I a good candidate for liposuction?

A simple "pinch test" is a good method of determining if you are a good liposuction candidate.  In the area of concern "pinch" the skin between your thumb and index finger. If you are able to pinch more than an inch then there is probably sufficient fatty deposits present that liposuction will be helpful. 

How is performed the liposuction?

After the administration of a mild intravenous sedation, the tumescent fluid is placed in the fatty compartment between the skin and muscle. Tumescent fluid contains normal saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine  Lidocaine is a local anesthetic used in very dilute form to "numb" the fatty compartments. Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, constricts blood vessels in the fat and skin. As a result, blood loss in the average patient is measured in teaspoons. 

The surgeon then artistically sculpts the body fat by removing fatty deposits through small incisions using a 2 - 3 millimeter delicate stainless steel wand called a cannula, this results in an esthetically more pleasing body shape. These smaller cannulas are gentler to the tissues, significantly reducing the chance of skin irregularities. 

A support garment is worn for several days after surgery for comfort and tissue support. There is minimal discomfort and a gradual resumption of activity is encouraged beginning the next day. Most people return to work in three to five days, depending on the extent of their surgery. 

Postoperative discomfort is drastically reduced with Tumescent Liposuction since anesthetic remains in the tissues many hours after the procedure is performed. In addition, Tumescent Liposuction results in less bruising, and faster resolution of swelling after surgery.

Liposuction is permanent because not only is the fat removed, but the cells that store the excess fat are also removed. If a person gains weight after liposuction, the weight gain is distributed more evenly over the body rather than in "problems areas" as before. 

Multiple areas are often treated during a single operation in order to achieve the best shape. Occasionally two surgical sessions may be recommended for safety reasons depending on the number and size of the areas.

Written by PBW