Laser Assisted Tumescent Liposuction

Some of the most significant improvements in liposuction surgery include the use of local anesthesia , the use of laser technology, and the use of very small cannulas to suction away fat. The tumescent technique for liposuction by local anesthesia with the use of a laser is so effective that liposuction patients no longer need general anesthesia. Post-operative discomfort is minimized since the local anesthesia remains in the surgically treated areas for hours.  Patients may require pain medications for some discomfort after the surgery.

The tumescent technique uses large volumes of a dilute solution of lidocaine, a local anesthetic, in combination with the drug epinephrine, which temporarily shrinks the blood vessels.  Sodium bicarbonate is also added to lessen the stinging sensation when infusing the lidocaine.

Both the tumescent technique and use of the laser dramatically reduce both the bleeding during surgery and the post-operative bruising and swelling as compared to liposuction by general anesthesia.  Minimal bleeding reduces post-operative recovery time.  Most patients can return to work and begin exercising again within a day or two after surgery.  An elastic support garment is worn for two weeks after surgery.

About 90% of patients can actually see at least some improvements in their physique by one week after surgery. However because of the slow resolution of post-surgical swelling, the ultimate results following liposuction usually require 12 to 16 weeks to be achieved.

The fat cells that are removed by liposuction do not grow back. The patient’s new, more pleasing physique is permanent.  If the patient later gains or loses weight, the change tends to be distributed proportionately over the entire body.

The change of the physique produced by liposuction is the equivalent to the effects of dieting to specific areas of the body. The degree of skin change after liposuction is the same as one would expect after having lost an equal amount of localized fat by dieting. Since the fat is removed by suctioning small tunnels through the fat, the skin remains connected to the underlying muscles by fibrous attachments. As healing occurs after surgery these fibrous strands contract and pull the skin into close proximity with the muscles.  It is this process which assures that the skin will not hang in loose folds after liposuction surgery.

Although the results for liposuction are often quite spectacular, it is not realistic to expect perfection.  As with any surgical procedure, liposuction is associated with certain expected side effects such as bruising, swelling and temporary numbness.  Although irregularities of the skin are possible following liposuction,  this side effect is minimized by the tumescent technique and use of the laser.  There have been no reported fatalities using the tumescent technique with laser-assisted liposuction.

*Actual patients.  Results may vary.