Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction is a surgical technique that is used for small areas, such as small volume areas such as beneath the chin, areas of abdominal irregularity, or minimal volume reduction of the thighs or flanks.

The tumescent fluid is a mixture of an anesthetic and a vasoconstrictor, such as lidocaine or epinephrine. The anesthetic in the tumescent solution replaces the need for a secondary anesthetic, while the vasoconstrictor greatly decreases bleeding during surgery.

The procedure is called "tumescent" because the fluid causes fat tissue cells to swell, or become tumescent. It makes the cannula (a surgeon's suction tool) glide easier, making aspiration less fatiguing and less traumatic for the patient. Enlarging the fat tissue is helpful because smaller cannulae are used during tumescent surgery to reduce asymmetric dimpling effects.

Tumescent liposuction under local anesthesia can also reduce the risk, cost, and discomfort of general anesthesia. Patients should be aware that this type of liposuction is generally not as precise as more advanced types of liposuction such as Vaser liposuction, which produce much more even and predictable results. Many surgeons that are not board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery use this type of liposuction exclusively as they are not eligible for hospital privileges that would allow them to perform more advanced techniques such as Vaser liposuction. Dr. Shapiro, a Scottsdale Vaser liposuction expert prefers to use these more advanced methods.