Both men and women can accumulate fat which cannot be removed by exercise or diet. Liposuction is a surgical procedure designed to remove small pockets of excess fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. The procedure is not intended to be a substitute for weight loss, but rather as a contouring process. It is best utilized in conjunction with a program of exercise and optimal weight maintenance. The best results are achieved in body areas where there is reasonable muscle tone, where skin has good elastic quality, and where fat is not excessive.

How does it work?

The fat is vacuumed out using a thin tube called a cannula attached to a suction machine. The cannula is placed under the skin through several quarter-inch incisions. The number of incisions depends on the areas to be treated.

Older methods of liposuction required the use of general anesthesia and its inherent risks. Old procedures also resulted in greater blood loss, bruising and swelling than the current tumescent technique.

Tumescent liposuction was developed by dermatologists in the 1980's. Tumescent liposuction has a very low incidence of risks and complications when properly performed. In a 1995 survey of 15,336 patients, fewer than 0.5% of patients experienced complications such as infection, dimpling, blood clots and allergies. No deaths occured as a result of the procedure.

What should I do before tumescent liposuction?

Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory drugs, oral vitamin E, or blood thinners for two weeks prior to surgery.

Be sure to obtain your prescribed post-operative medications prior to treatment. Take the first dose of antibiotics the night before your procedure. Take the second dose the morning of your surgery. You must have a responsible adult escort you home after the surgery.

Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours prior to treatment. Eat a high-carbohydrate meal the day prior to your procedure.

Wear no contact lenses on the day of your surgery. Shower with antibacterial soap and wash your hair on the morning of your surgery. Apply no creams or lotions to your skin on the day of your procedure.

Do not wear garments that must be pulled over your head or that are tight-fitting. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

What happens during treatment?

First, the patient is lightly sedated by taking a pill.

The surgeon then infuses large amounts of salt water, anesthesia and adrenaline into the areas to be treated. The adrenaline shrinks blood vessels, resulting in decreased bleeding, bruising, and post-operative swelling and pain. In addition, the use of local anesthesia allows the patient to sit or stand during the operation, enabling the surgeon to fine-tune the progress of body contouring.

Photographs will be taken before, during and after the procedure to monitor your progress.

What happens after treatment?

After surgery you will be taken to a recovery room. When you are feeling well-oriented, you may be escorted home.

The local anesthesia injected into the tissue during the procedure lasts for 18 to 24 hours, greatly minimizing post-operative pain. Patients are usually alert and able to function without nausea and grogginess associated with general anesthesia. Most patients are able to return to a sedentary job within three to seven days after surgery.

You may not exercise or perform other strenuous activities for seven to ten days. You will be given a compression garment, which must be worn 24 hours a day for two weeks. After the second week, you may wear a more comfortable and attractive garment, such as bicycle pants. This garment must cover the entire area that was liposuctioned, and should be worn as much as possible for the following two weeks.

Am I a candidate for tumescent liposuction?