Liposuction Surgery Techniques in Body Contouring

Tumescent Liposuction

Developed about 15 years ago, this is the most common, and safest, method. The term "tumescence" refers to the swelling and firming of fatty tissues by the means of infusing fluid into the tissue. After tiny incisions are made where the patient’s skin covers fatty tissue, the area is soaked with a saline solution that contains an anesthetic (Lidocaine) and adrenaline to reduce blood loss and bruising. This reduction of blood loss through the shrinking of capillaries has been a great advance, enabling plastic surgeons to remove much fat with little blood loss.Tumescent liposuction involves swelling the areas to be suctioned with a solution that equals two to three times the amount of the fat and fluid that will be suctioned out. In the Super-Wet technique however, the tissues are infused with an amount of fluid that equals the fat and fluids that will be suctioned. Super-wet involves the use smaller amounts of, or no, Lidocaine, thereby reducing the risk of Lidocaine toxicity.

Once the area has been sufficiently plumped up, the surgeon removes these fat cells through the insertion of a cannula, a tiny wand like instrument that suctions and removes the loosened fat cells via a high-power suction machine. The fat then glides through transparent vacuum-like tubes as fat and fluid are suctioned from your body. Because of the fluid loss, you need to be monitored carefully by an experienced anesthesiologist who can balance your fluid intake and output throughout the procedure.

There is nothing arbitrary about this process. A skilled surgeon, like a sculptor, has to use his sense of sight and touch to assess the areas of fat buildup and to contour and sculpt these areas into an ideal form. It also requires a great deal of arm movement and exertion by the surgeon, as he or she both suctions and sculpts. The tumescent technique has a low complication rate in and of itself, yet is also used as preparation for other kinds of liposuction techniques.

Power Assisted Liposuction

In essence, this is liposuction hastened by a vibrating suction cannula. Developed by a German surgeon, this technique employs an electric-powered cannula, which like a jackhammer sucks out the fat faster. In my opinion, while it might help the surgeon to do his or her job faster, it takes away from the surgeon’s ability to feel the contour and the topography of tissue as this machine vibrates. Also, this machine might not be safe to be used in delicate or potentially dangerous areas such as the neck and face.

Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL)

This method was first used in the 1990’s, and was considered an advance in treating especially fibrous areas, such as the male chests, back, and flanks. It uses cannulas that bombard subcutaneous fatty tissues with waves of ultrasound, thereby liquefying them through ultrasound energy and heat. An external method also delivers this energy by applying a paddle-shaped instrument to the skin. The higher general complication rate of this technique as compared to other conventional techniques has recently drawn surgeons away from this fad. Specifically, ultrasonic assisted lipoplasty (UAL) carries an increased risk of skin and tissue burns, permanent tissue damage and scarring, nerve damage causing lasting skin irritation or pain, and fluid buildup or formation of seroma – cavities of fluid beneath the skin. Because there is insufficient proof of the safety of UAL devices, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has never approved the marketing and advertising of UAL devices.

What is Large Volume Liposuction?

What person today has not heard of gastric bypass surgery, more commonly known as "stomach stapling?" The news stories about musicians, new anchors and other celebrities who have undergone this procedure are frequent. Yet, only twenty years ago, the mere mention of gastric bypass would have elicited a declaration of "that would be malpractice!" In much the same way, our assessments about the safety of Large Volume Liposuction are progressing.

Notions of what is attractive are constantly evolving. The voluptuous actresses of the 1950’s would today be considered overweight. However, while we can’t really define what an "ideal" weight is, it is widely accepted that a significant portion of Americans today are overweight. This is both a health issue, and a self-esteem issue. More than half of American women wear a size 10 or more, and are unhappy with their size.

Just as the safety of gastric bypass surgery was once questioned, so is the acceptability of Large Volume Liposuction. However, in the hands of a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon who takes all of the usual precautions that are observed during any major surgery, a patient can successfully and safely have large amounts of fat removed.

When approximately two liters of fat (about the size of a Coca-Cola bottle) are removed, this is considered Small Volume Liposuction. This is successful when smaller localized "problem" areas of the body are being contoured. However, the removal of this quantity of fat will not make a difference in a large person whose goal is significant size reduction. In the latter case, large volumes of fat, five or more liters are removed, with the dramatic outcomes- 2 to 5 size reduction in cloth size. The surgeon removes the fat with an eye towards contouring the area as well. In this procedure, it is a good practice to combine the Tumescent with the Super-Wet Technique, as the latter does not use Lidocaine (or uses less), thereby avoiding the risk of Lidocaine toxicity.

If you are considering liposuction you should seek a plastic surgeon who has very extensive experience in performing this procedure in an optimal surgical facility. A minority of qualified plastic surgeons specializes in this.

• Liposuction Surgery Techniques and Information
• Liposuction: Body Contouring for Men at Plastic Surgery Institute of California
• Specific Care of Body With Liposuction Surgery