Tumescent Liposuction has been shown to have fewer risks and side effects than traditional Liposuction. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia like traditional Liposuction.

What Is Tumescent Liposuction?

Tumescent Liposuction was developed in the 1980s. Considered a major advancement, it completely revolutionized the procedure.

In Tumescent Liposuction a mixture of local anesthetic and epinephrine is used to flood the targeted tissue. This allows Dr. Rosenberg to safely remove deep and superficial layers of fat without putting the patient to sleep under General anesthesia. The result is more rapid recovery and fewer potential complications.

How Is Tumescent Liposuction Performed?

During tumescent liposuction, large volumes of a solution containing diluted lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and diluted epinephrine (a drug to shrink capillaries and prevent blood loss) are infused with minimal discomfort directly into areas of excessive fatty deposits. A small incision is then made in the skin, and a small, straw-like cannula is inserted into the fatty layers. The unwanted fatty deposits are evenly and thoroughly drawn through the cannula into a collection system. An elastic garment is then worn for compression and healing.

Tumescent liposuction is performed in an office setting and hospitalization is not required. The technique allows Dr. Rosenberg to remove fat more uniformly with fewer skin irregularities and less bleeding and bruising than would be possible with traditional Liposuction.

What Happens After Surgery?

The local anesthesia fluid infused into the fatty tissue helps to keep the area numb for 18 to 24 hours following surgery. This greatly miniimizes postoperative pain. After tumescent liposuction, patients are usually alert and able to function without nausea, grogginess and the "washed out" feeling associated with general anesthesia. With the tumescent technique, there is minimal bruising, and many patients do not require postoperative medication for pain. You can usually return to a desk-type job within 48 hours; physical exercise generally can be resumed three to seven days after liposuction.

Are There Any Possible Complications?

The safety record of tumescent liposuction is well documented. Two surveys of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery in 1988 and 1995 showed no cases of death. Further, there is less than a 1% risk of developing any systemic complication such as infection. Even local complications such as a deep bruise (hematoma) and contour irregularities are seen in less than 3% of patients.

While no procedures are risk free, tumescent liposuction is extremely low risk when it is performed using local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. Risks are often greater on procedures that require general anesthesia.