Womens Health in the News

This is a relatively new method of liposuction that is used in order to reduce post-operative bruising, swelling and pain. The technique is also used to avoid the need for a blood transfusion as blood loss is minimized using this method. With the tumescent technique, the excess fat is injected with a large amount of anaesthetic liquid before the liposuction is performed. This liquid will then cause the fat to become swollen and firm, this then allows the cannula to travel more smoothly underneath the skin as the fat is removed.

Are there any risks to this type of procedure?

Patients will still face the normal risks that any patient may be faced with whenever they have any type of surgical procedure, risks specifically associated with the tumescent technique although rare do exist.

Pulmonary oedema is one risk associated with this technique, this happens when there is a collection of fluid in the lungs. Lidocaine toxicity can also occur if the solution which is used for the procedure contains too much Lidocaine.

How is the technique performed?

The tumescent liquid which is a mixture of Lidocaine, epinephrine and intravenous fluid will be warmed and will then be injected into the area which the surgeon is treating. When the liquid reaches the fat, it becomes swollen and firm making the insertion of the cannula easier, the liposuction procedure is then performed on the area.

As the solution has anaesthesia included in it, there is no need for additional anaesthesia this also helps to provide pain relief after the procedure and decreases the need for additional pain medication.

For a day or two following the procedure, you are likely to experience a little pain and swelling in the area treated, however this is perfectly normal and this will gradually ease.

You may also notice some fluid weeping from the sites where the injections were given. You can normally resume normal activity within a few days and you should be back to normal within a couple of weeks of having the procedure.