Liposuction Basics

LIPOSUCTION PROCEDURES

There are several different liposuction procedures that are now performed. The goal of all the procedures is to remove the excess fat with the least amount of injury to the surrounding tissue. In addition, removal of excess fat can cause fluid imbalance that must be maintained so there are no complications. The amount of fluid injected as part of the surgical processes has generally been used to characterize each different process. There are generally four different liposuction processes:

• Tumescent liposuction
• Super Wet liposuction
• Wet liposuction
• Dry liposuction

Tumescent Liposuction. A significant amount of liquid, containing a painkiller and an agent that constricts the blood vessels, is injected in the location of the fat to be removed. The blood vessel constrictor helps prevent bleeding. The medicated liquid causes the areas of excess fat to become swollen. Tumesced is the medical term for swollen and that is why it is called Tumescent Liposuction.  The swollen area of excess fat allows a small hollow tube called a “cannula” to suction out the excess fat.  Tumescent liposuction is generally accepted by cosmetic and plastic surgeons as the most effective and safest procedure for liposuction.

Super Wet Liposuction. A mixture of water and salt containing pain and numbing medication and an agent that constricts the blood vessels is used in the super-wet technique. This mixture is injected into the location of excess fat. The fat is made easier to break up and extract with this liquid mixture. This added fluid helps to minimize post-operative pain and swelling, and reduces damage to the tissue.

Wet Liposuction. The surgeon injects a small amount of water and salt based solution, containing a painkiller and an agent that constricts the blood vessels, into the fat area. The liquid loosens the excess fat which is then sucked out.

Dry Liposuction. As the term indicates it uses no solution to break up the fat. This is the oldest procedure and it is not commonly used.

 Assist Mechanisms For Liposuction

When the liposuction procedure is undertaken the surgeon may use some mechanical or other method or process to break up the fat and make the process less traumatic on the patient and easier on the physician.

Suction-Assisted Liposuction. For this process, the cannula is attached to a vaccum pump to pull the excess fat out of the patient.

Power Assisted Liposuction. Power assisted liposuction used as modified cannula that has a spinning head or a head that moves back and forth rapidly. The benefit to the patient and the surgeon of these devices is in debate.

Twin Cannula Liposution. This process uses a power assisted cannula contained with a regular cannula. The outside cannula breaks up the fat and the internal cannula moves back and forth like a physician would do with a regular cannula.

Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction. This technique uses a cannula that has been modified to produces ultrasound vibrations whose energy breaks up the fat. The ultrasound vibrations from the cannula rupture the fat cell walls which then turns the fat into liquid. The liquid fat is removed by a suction pump. The use of Ultrasound-assisted liposuction allows removal of larger amounts of fat in a short time frame than with standard liposuction.

External Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction. This assist technique used ultrasound vibrations whose energy breaks up the fat but is done from outside the body. The benefit to the patient and the surgeon of these devices is in debate.

Laser Assisted Liposuction. This technique uses a cannula that has been modified to use a laser whose energy breaks up the fat. The heat from the laser ruptures the fat cell walls which then liquefies the fat. The liquid fat is removed by a suction pump.