Tumescent Liposuction, also known as super-wet liposuction or Tumescent Liposculpting, is a less-invasive form of cosmetic surgery compared to traditional liposuction.
This procedure was first developed in 1985 in California by Jeffrey Klein, M.D., a leading dermatologist. Since then, this form of liposuction has been refined even further.
The Procedure
The actual procedure can be understood in simple steps. A cannula is a tiny tube that is used to either drain fluid from the body or to add fluid into a body cavity.
The miniaturization of cannulas has made it possible for the surgeon to nsert them into smaller and smaller incisions in the skin.
Before any fat removal occurs, a mixture of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (constricts your blood vessels) is injected into the fatty tissue.
This plumps up the fatty tissue as it is absorbed making the area firm and swollen (the term Tumescent actually means “firm and swollen.”) Not only does this make the procedure easier for the surgeon, it also means that a larger portion of fat can be removed during a single surgery.
After the medications have had a chance to take effect, the fat is suctioned from the area through the inserted cannulas.
Time Required for the Procedure
Tumescent Liposuction usually takes a few hours to perform. You will be able to walk out of the office that day.
Most people are back to their normal activities within a few days, but some people need up to a week of recovery time.
Realistic Expectations – What Results Can I Expect?
This procedure is intended for healthy, active people who want to correct a certain area that has been resistant to other non-invasive correction methods such as diet and exercise.
It can be used on overweight people if they are also involved in a weight loss program. This procedure is not a cure for obesity or a substitute for weight loss. Because only a certain amount of fat can be removed at one time, some people may find that they need more than one procedure to achieve the desired results.
Risk, Side Effects and Safety Considerations
When this procedure is performed by a trained surgeon, the risk of complications is minimal. The use of lidocaine also reduces the chance of infection.
The fact that this surgery is performed under local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia also greatly reduces your potential for severe complications. General anesthesia, the type that induces an unconscious state, is one of the biggest safety issues with any surgery.
You should discuss all of your concerns with your doctor prior to the surgery, and he or she should also make sure you are aware of any safety considerations. You should receive a list of possible complications and side effects to sign as a release form authorizing the procedure.
Pain, Discomfort and Anesthesia
You will receive local anesthesia for this procedure. Some people also use a mild sedative to relax, but other people don’t find it necessary.
The combination of lidocaine and epinephrine make an effective, long-term anesthesia that will prevent pain without further medication for 8-16 hours after the surgery.
The reason the effect lasts so long is that the epinephrine effectively constricts the blood vessels in the target area so that the lidocaine is not flushed away. In addition, the surgical incisions are so small that they often do not require stitches or traditional bandages.
These small incisions will produce less pain for a shorter period of time than the larger incisions required with traditional liposuction. However, this will not be a completely pain-free process.
As with any other surgery, there will be some level of discomfort that may vary from person to person. You should receive instructions on what to do in the event of severe pain that is abnormal as part of the post-op procedure.
Recovery Time
Most people can walk out of the office within hours of the procedure. There is no general anesthetic that has to wear off, so they won’t have to wait to see if you can hold down liquids or to make sure all numbness has worn off before you can be released.
There will be little or no stitches and no traditional bandages. You will leave the office with a compression garment that can’t be seen under normal clothing, and you will wear it for a period of time after the procedure.
It is designed to help your skin heal and contract to give you better results. Most people are back to their normal activities within a few days, but it can vary by individual. Almost everyone is back to normal within a week.
Will My Insurance Cover Tumescent Liposuction?
The Tumescent Liposuction procedure is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance policies. However, this procedure is much less expensive than traditional liposuction and most doctors will offer financing or payment plans.
Advantages over Traditional Liposuction
With local anesthesia, you are awake and the surgeon will be better able to see your muscle tone to determine the best place to remove the fat as well as exactly how much to remove.
This procedure also allows more fat to be removed at one time. The lidocaine and epinephrine injections will reduce the chance of swelling and maintain pain relief for an extended time after surgery.
With the tiny incisions, blood loss, swelling, scarring and recovery time are all minimized.