The Tumescent Technique and VASER® Lipo System

The Tumescent Technique

Tumescent means to become swollen. Tumescent liposuction involves the use of a diluted solution made up of epinephrine and lidocaine. This solution is injected into the fat underneath the skin, causing the area to swell and firm up. (*The surgeon then uses a small surgical instrument to suction away the excess fatty deposits). 

History

The Tumescent Technique was developed in 1985 by Dr. Jeffrey A. Klien, M.D., a dermatologist from California. Prior to 1985, liposuction was quite a bit more risky, often causing so much blood loss that patients frequently required a blood transfusion. Vasoconstriction, resulting from the dilute epinephrine used in the Tumescent Technique, has virtually eliminated blood loss during the liposuction procedure. This method is now considered the safest, most effective form of liposuction. 

Benefits

Tumescent liposuction can significantly reduce some of the common side effects of older procedures. The epinephrine/lidocaine solution temporarily reduces the size of the capillaries, which results in significantly less blood loss. The majority of patients only lose about 15-30 ml of blood. It also helps reduce pain, bruising, and swelling post-surgery. 

Risks Ideal Candidate

This surgery is not meant as a substitute for weight loss. The ideal candidate should have already achieved an ideal body weight and have elastic and firm skin. The procedure is most effective on a few problem areas which are difficult to eliminate with diet and exercise alone.

Dr. Klien’s discovery has significantly reduced the risks associated with liposuction. The Tumescent Technique has eliminated the need for blood transfusions common in older forms of liposuction procedures. In addition, these surgeries do not require hospitalization and general anesthesia is not used. Patients now recover faster, experience less pain, and receive optimal cosmetic results. The Tumescent Technique is the safest liposuction technique available, and has now become the world-wide standard of care.

VASER® Lipo System

By combining the Tumescent Technique with the VASER® Lipo System, patients can anticipate fast, consistent results and a quick recovery. This system is the only one available with the ability to differentiate between the targeted fat and the surrounding tissue, which means the surgeon can safely break up the unwanted fat while preserving the connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels.

VASER® stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. It was designed by Sound Surgical Technologies, LLC and received FDA clearance for body contouring in 2002.  Although fairly new, this procedure is comparatively safe with thousands performed worldwide without serious complications.

How It Works

First, the tumescent fluid is injected into the fatty tissue around the area to be suctioned. The VASER® system then uses ultrasonic waves to cause the fat cells to break apart and emulsify.  This allows for easy removal of the fat using either a cannula or a massage. 

Areas That Can Be Treated

This technique can be used anywhere where there are small pockets of extra fat. The most common areas include: abdominals, thighs, knees, buttocks, arms, love handles, breasts, hips, back, neck and chin.

Amount of Fat That Can Be Removed

It is important to remember that liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss. The amount of fat that can typically be removed is equivalent to the amount of loose hanging fat you could grab on your belly if you stood up and bent forward. Some fat in the area is left untreated, so with significant weight gain this remaining fat will expand. It is important to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits in order to retain optimal results. 

Results

As with all cosmetic surgeries, results will vary per patient. Most patients start to see results immediately; however, final results may not be seen for up to 6 months. Results vary depending on the amount of fat removed and the number of sites treated.

Ideal Candidate

Again, this is not a substitute for weight loss. The ideal candidate is at a healthy weight seeking to treat stubborn areas difficult to lose with diet and exercise alone.

For more information please contact me,

Dr. Thomas Su M.D.

Artistic Lipo Sculpting Center

877-422-5476

http://www.artlipo.com

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Whether you have a double chin, tummy fat after childbirth, saddle bags, spare tire, or just little problem areas around the hips or thighs, the new laser assisted liposculpture and laser body contouring techniques may be what you are looking for.

Not all of the machines in use are the same. Some laser wavelengths, such as the 924nm and 924/975nm work much better than others. You need to understand which technology is best if you are considering laser liposuction.

Liposuction is the most commonly performed plastic surgery operation.

Problems Associated with Traditional Liposuction-Traditional liposuction is done by inserting a metal tube called a cannula beneath the skin into fat containing areas of the body. High pressure suction is applied and fat is suctioned out from under the skin. While the procedure works well, it is traumatic as the suction pulls out not only fat but also some of the connective tissue which holds the skin tight to the body. There are several problems which can occur after liposuction:

•    Loose Skin After Liposuction
•    Contour Deformities-Skin Irregularities
•    Prolonged Bruising
•    Difficult and Painful Recovery

How Laser Liposuction Works-During laser assisted liposuction, a very small laser fiber is inserted beneath the skin. Heat from the laser melts the fat into a thin liquid. The liquid fat is then more easily removed with very small cannulas usually only2-3 millimeters in diameter. The heat form the laser also tightens the skin, and closes many blood vessels, thus less bleeding.

Advantages of Laser Liposuction

•    Skin Tightening!!!!!!!
•    Liquefaction of Fat = Fewer Contour Deformities
•    Uniform Skin Appearance after Liposuction
•    Smaller Cannulae = Tiny Incision
•    Much Less Traumatic
•    Can Contour Visible Areas in Thinner Patients
•    Excellent for Touch Ups after  standard Liposuction

Which Laser is best for Liposuction?

There are several different machines available using several different laser wavelengths-the 924nm, combined 924/975nm, the 1064nm, and the 1308nm are the most popular.

I prefer the 924nm and combination 924/975nm laser because the 924nm is very selectively absorbed by fat tissue. The 924nm liquefies 3 times as much fat as some of the other wavelengths and is also more strongly absorbed by blood vessels, which helps reduce bleeding and bruising.
The 924nm and combined 924/975nm laser is used by the SlimLipo™ laser liposuction machine made by Palomar Medical™.

Are You A Candidate for Laser Liposuction?
If you are healthy, do not smoke, and have extra fat beneath your chin, around your tummy, on your hips, thighs, arms or knees, and are relatively fit and not obese, then you are likely an excellent candidate for laser liposuction. The younger you are the better your skin tightening will be after laser liposuction. I have, however, seen good skin tightening after laser liposuction in a 70 year old person-see photo below:

If you are obese and significantly over weight, you should lose weight first before liposuction.

For more information about laser liposuction with SlimLipo™ call 978-369-4499 or contact us by email.
Read our fee newsletter to learn about new techniques in aesthetics, non-surgical rejuvenation techniques and plastic surgery.
Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

The Tumescent Procedure Itself

Tumescent liposuction is liposuction that is usually performed under local anesthesia. General anesthesia can be risky in some patients so this is a big seller. During the procedure, areas of excess fat are injected with a large amount of anesthetic liquid(lidocaine, epinephrine and intravenous fluid) before liposuction is performed. The liquid causes the areas of fat to become swollen and firm otherwise known as “tumesced.” The expanded fat compartments allow the liposuction cannula to travel smoothly beneath the skin as the fat is removed resulting in less bruising and blood loss.

Though this procedure is less invasive doctors still recommend that you fit a certain profile. Liposuction, even tumescent liposuction, is still surgery and therefore can not be taken lightly.

The Ideal Tumescent Liposuction Candidate

As with liposuction in general, tumescent liposuction is for those people who are already physically fit. The best profile is a patient who has small areas of fat deposits. They have tried conventional means like diet and exercise without any results. Generally you have to have a physical from your own doctor approving you for the surgery. Sometimes a consultation with a psychologist is advised to make sure you understand why you are choosing liposuction and to make sure you set the right expectations for yourself.

The tumescent liposuction technique isn’t the only advanced method available to you when it comes to liposuction. Please be sure to ask your doctor about the super-wet technique which is similar to tumescent liposuction. Depending on what part of the body you are having the liposuction this may be a better option for you. You should also ask about Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction which uses energy to liquefy the fat.

Due to the popularity of cosmetic surgery today advances are being made regularly. Tumescent liposuction definitely was a leap forward for prospective patients. If you are prepared to do your homework and ask the right questions liposuction may be your ticket to the body you can’t seem to get on the strength of diet and exercise alone.

 

The Tumescent Technique

Tumescent means to become swollen. Tumescent liposuction involves the use of a diluted solution made up of epinephrine and lidocaine. This solution is injected into the fat underneath the skin, causing the area to swell and firm up. (*The surgeon then uses a small surgical instrument to suction away the excess fatty deposits). 

History

The Tumescent Technique was developed in 1985 by Dr. Jeffrey A. Klien, M.D., a dermatologist from California. Prior to 1985, liposuction was quite a bit more risky, often causing so much blood loss that patients frequently required a blood transfusion. Vasoconstriction, resulting from the dilute epinephrine used in the Tumescent Technique, has virtually eliminated blood loss during the liposuction procedure. This method is now considered the safest, most effective form of liposuction. 

Benefits

Tumescent liposuction can significantly reduce some of the common side effects of older procedures. The epinephrine/lidocaine solution temporarily reduces the size of the capillaries, which results in significantly less blood loss. The majority of patients only lose about 15-30 ml of blood. It also helps reduce pain, bruising, and swelling post-surgery. 

Risks Ideal Candidate

This surgery is not meant as a substitute for weight loss. The ideal candidate should have already achieved an ideal body weight and have elastic and firm skin. The procedure is most effective on a few problem areas which are difficult to eliminate with diet and exercise alone.

Dr. Klien’s discovery has significantly reduced the risks associated with liposuction. The Tumescent Technique has eliminated the need for blood transfusions common in older forms of liposuction procedures. In addition, these surgeries do not require hospitalization and general anesthesia is not used. Patients now recover faster, experience less pain, and receive optimal cosmetic results. The Tumescent Technique is the safest liposuction technique available, and has now become the world-wide standard of care.

VASER® Lipo System

By combining the Tumescent Technique with the VASER® Lipo System, patients can anticipate fast, consistent results and a quick recovery. This system is the only one available with the ability to differentiate between the targeted fat and the surrounding tissue, which means the surgeon can safely break up the unwanted fat while preserving the connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels.

VASER® stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. It was designed by Sound Surgical Technologies, LLC and received FDA clearance for body contouring in 2002.  Although fairly new, this procedure is comparatively safe with thousands performed worldwide without serious complications.

How It Works

First, the tumescent fluid is injected into the fatty tissue around the area to be suctioned. The VASER® system then uses ultrasonic waves to cause the fat cells to break apart and emulsify.  This allows for easy removal of the fat using either a cannula or a massage. 

Areas That Can Be Treated

This technique can be used anywhere where there are small pockets of extra fat. The most common areas include: abdominals, thighs, knees, buttocks, arms, love handles, breasts, hips, back, neck and chin.

Amount of Fat That Can Be Removed

It is important to remember that liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss. The amount of fat that can typically be removed is equivalent to the amount of loose hanging fat you could grab on your belly if you stood up and bent forward. Some fat in the area is left untreated, so with significant weight gain this remaining fat will expand. It is important to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits in order to retain optimal results. 

Results

As with all cosmetic surgeries, results will vary per patient. Most patients start to see results immediately; however, final results may not be seen for up to 6 months. Results vary depending on the amount of fat removed and the number of sites treated.

Ideal Candidate

Again, this is not a substitute for weight loss. The ideal candidate is at a healthy weight seeking to treat stubborn areas difficult to lose with diet and exercise alone.

For more information please contact me,

Dr. Thomas Su M.D.

Artistic Lipo Sculpting Center

877-422-5476

http://www.artlipo.com