Tumescent liposuction offers a safer alternative for reducing stubborn fat, and may be a good option for Gainesville patients who want to undergo the plastic surgery procedure without the associated risks that often accompany traditional liposuction.
What Is Tumescent Liposuction?
The word tumescent refers to anything firm and swollen. In the tumescent liposuction technique, a solution of diluted anesthesia is injected into the fat underneath the skin. The targeted area will then become firm and swollen.
The anesthetic that is used will provide complete local numbness, which can eliminate the need for general anesthesia for certain patients.
The tumescent solution also contains epinephrine, which provides localized vasoconstriction; this almost completely eliminates surgical bleeding during the liposuction procedure.
Benefits of the Tumescent Liposuction Technique
With the use of the local anesthesia, there may not be a need for IV sedatives, general anesthesia, or narcotics. Also, the epinephrine helps reduce the amount of bleeding during and following the surgery. Other advantages of tumescent liposuction are:
- IV fluid replacement is unnecessary.
- A decrease in the risk of infection.
- The tumescent procedure helps to reduce the likelihood of a secondary procedure.
- The anesthetic effect can last up to 24 hours.
- Less bruising and swelling because the tumescent liposuction technique is gentler on the surrounding tissues.
Complications of the Tumescent Liposuction Technique
As with any procedure, there is always a slight risk of complications or side effects that accompanies it.
However, with local anesthesia and less fat removal, tumescent liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure with minimal complications. In the past, the most significant complications have been linked to general anesthesia and fluid shifts during large volume liposuction. With these two factors now reduced with the tumescent liposuction procedure, the risks are also greatly minimized.
The two main risks that are unique to the tumescent procedure are lidocaine toxicity and fluid accumulation. Lidocaine is the anesthetic medication in the tumescent solution; lidocaine toxicity occurs when the amount of the lidocaine in the solution is too high, making it hard for the body to metabolize the drug adequately. Fluid accumulation may occur when too much of the tumescent fluid is injected; this could result in the development of seromas that need to be drained.
Learn More about Tumescent Liposuction
Tumescent liposuction is a great option for anyone considering plastic surgery to remove excess deposits of stubborn body fat. This alternative to traditional liposuction uses local anesthetic rather than a general one, making the procedure much safer with less recovery time. If you are interested in this type of liposuction procedure and want to learn more about how to achieve the slim physique you’ve always desired, contact Gaines Plastic Surgery for more information or to schedule a consultation today.