Tumescent Lipo

What is Tumescent Liposuction?

Tumescent Technique Liposuction is a method of liposuction that is performed with only local anesthesia without the use of general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. If general anesthesia or intravenous sedation are used, it is not tumescent technique liposuction.  All liposuction procedures have some type of fluid or solution placed into the fat as a preparation for fat removal, but if general anesthesia or IV-sedation are used, it is not, by definition, tumescent technique liposuction. Some surgeons use the term tumescent technique incorrectly. The use of tumescent fluid and tumescent technique are not the same thing.

During the procedure, the same local anesthetic, lidocaine, that your dentist uses to numb your teeth is placed into the fat space under the skin. The lidocaine concentration is only about 1/20th the concentration of what your dentist uses which allows us to use the volume needed to numb the fat. The tumescent solution numbs the tissue and eliminates the need for general anesthesia or IV-sedation.

This tumescent solution also contains epinephrine to shrink blood vessels and minimize bleeding and bruising. The very dilute concentration of the tumescent solution has a powerful effect on the small vessels of the fat and this means there is only a very small amount of blood loss. The shrinkage of the vessels also greatly slows the absorption of the lidocaine and the epinephrine from the fat. The solution’s anesthetic effect on the fat will last for 12 or more hours reducing post-procedure discomfort. The rapid heart rate some feel when a dentist uses concentrated local anesthesia is typically not felt with this very dilute solution.

The use of the tumescent solution gives all the fluids necessary during the procedure and the need for giving intravenous fluids is eliminated. This eliminates one of the known serious side effects of liposuction under general anesthesia, when too much intravenous fluid may be given by the anesthesiologist causing a serious fluid overload. And because the patient is awake during the procedure, drinking water or juice is perfectly fine.

Once the fat cells
are removed, they cannot
grow back.
This is one of the key
advantages of
liposuction surgery.
It is permanent.

Dr. Kimberly Finder is a Board Certified Dermatologist who began practicing tumescent technique liposuction in 1995. She founded The LipoSurgery Clinic in 1996 devoted to tumescent anesthesia liposuction for women. Since that time, she has performed over 4,000 tumescent local anesthesia liposuction procedures, more than any other physician in San Antonio.

How is Tumescent Liposuction Performed?

During tumescent liposuction, the area to be treated is infused with a large quantity of dilute local anesthetic tumescent fluid. After the area has been numbed, the fat extraction process begins.

The fat is removed through a small instrument called a cannula. The cannula is inserted through small openings in the skin into the fat space, and the fat cells are then gently suctioned out. Each opening in the skin is about one-eighth inch in length. This process is repeated over the entire area where fat removal is desired.

Once the fat cells are removed, they don’t grow back. This is one of the key advantages of liposuction surgery. It is permanent. Remember, though, that weight maintenance is still very important. Not all fat cells in a suctioned area are removed, both because it’s not technically possible to achieve complete removal, but also because it isn’t desirable to have zero fat under the skin. We need a thin layer of fat to cushion our skin. Residual fat cells are capable of storing more calories if calories need to be stored by our bodies. Liposuction achieves a permanent reshaping and re-contouring resulting in a more pleasing silhouette.

After the fat cells along with some of the tumescent fluid have been removed, the procedure is complete. Sutures are not required. Any remaining fluid that has not been removed is allowed to drain. This is another factor contributing to the safety of tumescent anesthesia liposuction. Fluid that is trapped in the body with sutures poses a greater risk of infection. When the fluid is allowed to drain, this acts a natural flush to the treated tissue and any skin bacteria that may have inadvertently entered the tissue are flushed out. In addition to the safety, there will be less bruising and swelling when blood and fluid aren’t trapped in the tissue.

Key advantages of the tumescent technique over traditional liposuction are: lower costs-no anesthesiologist or hospital fees, and the elimination of the risks associated with general anesthesia. You are awake during surgery, and can resume normal activity in less time.

Permanence, safety, and beautiful results—these are just a few of the reasons liposuction surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedure in the US. It permanently reduces bulges and “problem areas” that do not respond to diet and exercise.

Re-contouring your body through tumescent liposuction may be one of the satisfying things you can do for yourself. The benefits can last forever.

What To Expect From Your Tumescent Liposuction with Dr. Finder

The Tumescent Liposuction procedure is performed in Dr. Finder’s office using only local anesthesia without general anesthesia or IV-sedation. Local anesthesia eliminates the risks associated with general anesthesia. It also saves you the cost of anesthesiologist fees and operating room expenses.

Before surgery, Dr. Finder and her patient consultant will have a personal consultation with you. Dr. Finder will ask you what your goals are from liposuction. As a woman, Dr. Finder understands that every woman’s personal appearance goals are unique, and she works to understand each woman’s individual expectations.

Discussion of goals is an important part of the consultation. Just because fat can be removed doesn’t mean that your goals will be met. After an examination of the problem areas, a thorough discussion takes place. Dr. Finder takes the time to discuss expectations of surgery with each patient, and whether those expectations can be achieved. All questions are answered, and no question is trivial. If Dr. Finder believes you’re a good candidate for liposuction, a written proposal will be created that includes all the costs of the procedure.

After a procedure date has been set, you’ll meet with one of Dr. Finder’s Registered Nurses. During this pre-op visit, all the details of the procedure will be thoroughly discussed, written handouts will be given, pre-procedure laboratory work drawn, measurements and photographs taken, and consent forms signed. We try very hard to thoroughly prepare you so there are no surprises.

On the day of surgery, you should wear loose, comfortable clothing. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from you appointment, and not drive yourself. This allows us to administer mild oral or intramuscular relaxation or pain medications if desired. Even without any medications given, it’s best not to drive immediately after a liposuction procedure.

After arrival, you will be “marked” for surgery. Dr. Finder will make a map on the skin of the areas where the fat will be removed. Photos are taken of the markings so that it’s easy for Dr. Finder to see the contours that need to be changed once the tumescent numbing fluid has been placed in the fat.

You’re made comfortable on a padded table, and the process begins. The numbing solution called tumescent anesthesia is gently infused into the tissue. After the tissue has been numbed, the suctioning process is next. Because you are awake during the process, you can talk to Dr. Finder and her nurses during your procedure. You can also drink fluids, or take a bathroom break if you need it.

Once the tumescent numbing solution is in place, the suctioning part of the procedure takes place. With the introduction of the SlimLipo laser, the suctioning process includes the step of using SlimLipo to enhance the results of liposuction.

After the suctioning is complete dressings to absorb the drainage are placed over the skin openings and we help you into your compression garment. Because there is no need to recover from general anesthesia, you can be picked up by your ride immediately. Most patients eat a good lunch and rest for the afternoon. A follow up consultation for the next week will be arranged.

You are now on your way to a slimmer, shapely, and more confident you!