The tumescent technique of liposuction is a fairly new technique and reduces post-operative swelling, bruising, and pain. The amount of blood loss is minimal during tumescent liposuction; this method also reduces the chances that patients will need a blood transfusion during the procedure.

Although blood loss is typically minimal, patients undergoing tumescent liposuction still face the same risks associated with any surgical procedure. Two very serious risks are lidocaine toxicity (too much anesthetic) and pulmonary edema (the build-up of fluid in your lungs.

Usually general anesthesia is the best choice for this procedure. Sometimes, however, the tumescent liquid is the only anesthesia given to the patient. Your cosmetic surgeon will discuss the various options with you at the time of your initial consultation.

The Procedure

At the start of this procedure, the warmed tumescent liquid (which is lidocaine, epinephrine and intravenous fluid) is injected into the area to be treated. As the liquid enters the excess fat, it becomes swollen. The anesthesia will provide pain relief following liposuction and will decrease your need for prescription pain medication. For the first two or three days after the procedure, most patients will experience a good amount of swelling and some fluid drainage from the incision sites. Most patients resume very light activity in the first few days following the procedure. Normal activity is usually resumed within a few weeks.

Immediately after surgery, most patients will notice the difference in their bodies. After three weeks, even more improvement is noticeable as the swelling will have subsided by now. Since all the injected fluid is removed, your weight after this procedure may be different. This should stabilize in time. Drainage from the sites of incision is common with liposuction. Sometimes a small rubber drainage tube is inserted beneath the skin for a couple of days to prevent fluid from building up in your system. You may need to take antibiotics, and you may need to wear gauze pads to keep your clothes from getting wet.

To learn more about the advances in liposuction available in New York, please visit the website of New York City cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Jerrold Gendler today.