What is Tumescent Liposuction?


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Tumescent liposuction is a referral to the fluid, which is injected into the treatment sight before the treatment begins. This tumescent fluid acts as an anaesthetic and reduces blood loss by sealing the blood vessels. Tumescent fluid is used in many different types of liposuction due to its effectiveness in both anaesthetising the area and preventing a large amount of blood loss.

Tumescent Liposuction Procedure

The area will be numbed using a local anaesthetic after which a small incision will be made in the treatment area. Into this incision, a catheter will be inserted through which the tumescent fluid will be administered. Unlike other anaesthetics, which are injected into the blood, tumescent fluid is injected into the fat of the treatment area. The fluid will first be administered to the deep fat and gradually administered to the upper layers. When the tumescent fluid has numbed the area and constricted the blood vessels the cannula is inserted into the treatment area. The fat is then broken down, this can be done using ultrasonic waves, radiofrequency waves, laser, power assisted liposuction, or the cannula itself. Once the fat has been broken down, it is removed from the area using suction.

What is Tumescent Fluid?

Tumescent fluid is a solution created using sterile salt water. The main active product is lidocaine, which is an anaesthetic that numbs the area into which it is injected. The second ingredient is epinephrine, which is also known as adrenaline. The adrenaline causes the blood vessels of the area to tighten restricting blood flow to the area and preventing bleeding. The concentrations of each ingredient are variable and different surgeons use different concentrations, which are also differed for different procedures.

Benefits of Tumescent Fluid

Tumescent fluid is seen to be extremely beneficial as it limits the complications that can be caused by general anaesthetic. Tumescent fluid also limits blood loss, which is essential to ensuring that you get the results that you expect out of your liposuction without suffering risks and complications. This also causes less bruising, which means that the recovery period is less uncomfortable.

The adrenaline, which causes the constriction of the blood vessels, is also beneficial in preventing the fluid from being absorbed into the blood stream. This means that it is much quicker to get over the anaesthetic and the chances of toxicity are minimal.

Tumescent fluid creates a cushion, which protects the tissue, muscle, and blood vessels beneath the fat. This makes complications less likely and also reduces the amount of pain and discomfort that you will experience.

Disadvantages of Tumescent

Although tumescent fluid has its advantages it also carries risks that are not associated with other types of anaesthetic. Lidocaine is a toxic substance when too much of it is injected into the body. As there is no standardised limit to the concentration of lidocaine used and this varies greatly between surgeons, it is essential that you find an experienced surgeon.

If the surgeon does not remove all of the tumescent fluid through suction, it may be necessary to put a drain in the treatment area. When the tumescent fluid drains out of the area, it is mixed with a small amount of blood. Whilst this poses no danger to you, people are often alarmed by the appearance of blood.

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