Tumescent Liposuction


Tumescent liposuction involves the injection of large volumes of lidocaine, saline and epinephrine into the subcutaneous fat of the patient. The word tumescent means firm and swollen. The fluid is injected into the treated area to numb the area and decrease any bleeding. The amount of injected fluid is so large that the targeted area becomes swollen and firm. Liposuction is then performed with a cannula that is attached to a suction device. The fat is suctioned out in order to provide a look that is smoother and more contoured than before the surgery. Tumescent liposuction can be performed as ultrasound, laser or power-assisted liposuction.

Good candidates for tumescent liposuction are patients looking to treat stubborn areas of fat that do not respond well to weight loss through regular diet and exercise. These candidates are often looking to make a change in the appearance of the abdomen, arms, neck and thighs. Ideal patients also include people that are not approaching liposuction as a method for them to lose weight.

The cost of tumescent liposuction varies by the amount of fat scheduled to be suctioned out, the amount of tumescent fluid that is injected, the geographic location of the procedures and any fees charged by the doctor or the facility. In general, the cost is somewhere in the range of $3000 and $9500.

Most patients will begin to see some results once the majority of the swelling has gone down. After three or four weeks, patients will start to see a better silhouette. The final results will be seen after six to nine months. The fat cells that are removed during liposuction can never come back so these results are final. Fat can continue to grow around the area where the liposuction was performed so patients might need liposuction at some point in those areas.

Types of Wet Liposuction

Types of Wet Liposuction

submitted on   Tue Jan, 19, 2016 by Mark Mofid, MD, FACS     
Types of wet liposuction include wet, super wet and tumescent. The type used is determined by the amount of solution infiltrated throughout the treatment area prior to fat removal. Wet liposuction uses a combination of epinephrine, lidocaine and saline solution for a safer and more comfortable...