The tumescent technique refers to refers to an anesthesia method and fat removal aid used during liposuction procedures by Connecticut Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Beth Collins. Tumescent fluid also engorges and firms targeted fat cells, allowing fatty tissue to be removed more easily.
Who Should Get Tumescent Liposuction?
Patients should be at a stable, healthy weight and in generally good health before undergoing tumescent liposuction or any other liposuction procedure. The tumescent technique is effective for any body area you wish to treat with liposuction, including the chest, belly, back, hips, thighs, knees and buttocks.
What Does Tumescent Anesthesia Do?
Tumescent fluid is injected into the treatment area(s) to prepare them for liposuction. Also called tumescent anesthesia, the tumescent technique uses a diluted solution of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) to numb treatment area(s) and epinephrine to shrink capillaries prior the removal of fatty tissue. Once fat cells are ready to be removed, Dr. Collins will make tiny incisions and insert a cannula, or thin suction device, to extract fatty tissue prepared with the tumescent fluid. The final result is a better body shape and fewer fat deposits, as well as reduced bruising and swelling during the recovery period.
After Tumescent Liposuction: What Should I Expect?
The recovery time for tumescent liposuction is the same as most other liposuction procedures, however if no general anesthesia is required, your immediate post-op recovery period should be shorter. Most patients are back to work within one week of having liposuction with the tumescent technique, and see close to full results at about six weeks. At this point, patients are usually directed to discontinue wearing a compression garment and resume full activity.
Related Procedures and Tumescent Liposuction Alternatives
There are many ways to prepare fat cells for removal during liposuction, which has resulted in the advent of laser liposuction, ultrasonic liposuction and power-assisted liposuction. But no matter which of these devices is used, the tumescent technique is almost always still incorporated into the liposuction procedure. Tumescent liposuction is regularly combined with a number of other plastic surgery procedures, including tummy tuck, body lift and body contouring after major weight loss.
Fellowship-trained tumescent liposuction expert Dr. Beth Collins routinely sees Connecticut plastic surgery patients from all over New Haven County, including patients from East Haven, West Haven, Madison, Branford and Guilford who want to safely and effectively reduce their body fat with tumescent liposuction. If you’re interested in learning more about the tumescent technique, please call or email Dr. Collins to arrange a consultation.
