Tumescent Lipo

Lipo is a large and popular industry. Twelve out of the last thirteen years, it has been the most popular cosmetic surgery in America. Last year--even during the recession--over 340,000 Americans underwent the Lipo procedure. The year before, when the economy was doing better, the numbers were over 455,000. This high demand for Lipo, coupled with various scientific advances in the past years, have contributed to the development of many different Lipo techniques all aimed at the same goal: to permanently remove fat from the body.

With all of the different types of Lipo out there, it can be difficult to keep track of what's what. If you're considering undergoing Lipo, though, knowing what you're buying--and what your body will be undergoing--is of the utmost importance. This page will help explain tumescent Lipo, which was first developed around 1985, making it the foundation for the new Lipo procedures performed today and the main Lipo technique used by doctors.

In fact, in spite of all the new advances in recent years, tumescent Lipo remains the most common Lipo procedure performed today.

Before The Tumescent Lipo Surgery

As with all methods, the first step of tumescent Lipo is the initial consultation. During this meeting, the Lipo surgeon has a chance to explain some of the specifics of the tumescent Lipo surgery, the patient has a chance to ask questions, and they both can make sure they are on the same page about exactly what is going to be done. The patient will discuss which area he or she wishes to be affected and their goals and expectations, and the tumescent Lipo surgeon can make suggestions or clarifications if the patient's requests are unreasonable, unsafe, or simply not possible. They will also discuss the price and, if necessary, possible financing options.

After the initial consultation, the patient can decide whether or not he/she really wants to get the tumescent Lipo surgery, in light of the information just received. If they decide to go forward, they will probably be required to sign a consent form stating that they have been made aware of that Lipo can have certain side effects and complications, ranging from relatively harmless bruising to friction burns on the skin or nerves. Although tumescent Lipo has been approved by the FDA as a "safe" procedure, surgery is never without some risk and tumescent Lipo is not the exception.

The physician and patient will then work together to determine the date of the tumescent Lipo surgery, taking into account both of their schedules. In some cases, the tumescent Lipo surgery could be scheduled for as little as a couple of weeks, but it may have to be pushed back if the tumescent Lipo surgeon has a waiting list, the patient needs more time to arrange leave from their work or other commitments, or if the patient needs a longer period of time in order to make certain lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking or incorporating more exercise) to decrease the chances of complications.

In some cases the tumescent Lipo surgery should not be scheduled sooner than two weeks out, as at least that much time is necessary for the patient's body to flush out any traces of certain medications they may have been taking previously that would interfere with the tumescent Lipo surgery. Also, the physician may prescribe antibiotics, multivitamins, or anti-anxiety medications that need to be taken for the full two weeks before the tumescent Lipo surgery.

The Day Of The Tumescent Lipo Surgery

On the day of the tumescent Lipo surgery, the patient will be given a physical to make sure that his/her body is up to the procedure. If the patient has a cold or other illness-especially if accompanied by fever-the tumescent Lipo surgery may have to be postponed, but in most cases everything is normal. At this time, it is common for "before" pictures of the patient to be taken in order to document the patient's appearance before the tumescent Lipo procedure. The Lipo doctor and the patient will consult one last time about exactly what the patient wants done, and the doctor will mark the area(s) to be treated with tumescent Lipo on the patient's body.

Prior to the tumescent Lipo surgery, the room, table, and tools to be used in the procedure will be sterilized and patient will usually be given one more antibiotic to reduce the risk of infection-always a real, if small, risk when the flesh is opened. Then the targeted area on the patient's body will be disinfected. If the he or she is experiencing severe anxiety, a sedative may also be administered as well. Following all these preparations, the patient will be taken into the operating room.

The Tumescent Lipo Surgery Itself

In the operating room, most tumescent Lipo surgeons will rub a numbing agent on the injection site. After it takes effect, the tumescent Lipo surgeon injects a mixture of fluids into the area that is going to be operated on. These fluids include lidocaine, which is a local anesthetic which helps to numb the pain, and epinephrine, which acts to shrink the blood vessels. The use of lidocaine eliminates the need for general anesthesia, which significantly reduces the dangers of the surgery. Because epinephrine shrinks the blood vessels, blood loss also tends to be minimized in tumescent Lipo. The large quantities of fluid injected during tumescent Lipo enter into the fatty tissue and cause it to "tumesce", or become firm and swollen.

Next the tumescent Lipo surgeon makes a series of tiny incisions, usually no bigger than one third of an inch in length. The small size of the incisions minimizes the length of the recovery period, and also the risk of scarring.

Through the incisions, the tumescent Lipo doctor inserts a surgical tool called a cannula-essentially a narrow metal straw. The cannula is hooked up to a vacuum machine and moved back and forth through the fatty tissue. As it does this, it breaks up and suctions out the unwanted fat. Because the fat is firm and swollen, the tumescent Lipo surgeon has a very fine level of control over it, and can be very delicate and precise in the removal fat, which leads to better aesthetic results.

As fluids drain from the incisions, more are pumped into the cavity to help prevent damage or burns and to reduce blood loss. An I.V. may also be used to keep the patient hydrated and supply additional medications if needed. The patient will also be hooked up to monitors that record his or her vital signs to ensure the safety of the tumescent Lipo procedure.

What will the patient actually feel during tumescent Lipo?

The anesthetic should effectively prevent sensations of pain. What will be felt is some pressure and the impression of something scraping or a deep tissue massage. If there is pain, the tumescent Lipo surgeon can give another dose of lidocaine to dampen it.

After the fat cells have been removed, the surgeon closes the incisions and the procedure is effectively over. Because a minimum of damage has been done to the body and only local anesthetic administered, in most cases the patient should be able to walk and move without too much difficulty. They can usually go home the same day, although they should have someone else drive them home.

The surgery typically has relatively few side effects, but some amount of bruising and swelling are fairly unavoidable. There is also usually some amount of post-surgical pain, but in most cases it is manageable through over the counter pain medication. Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness are less common after tumescent Lipo but possible.

Patients should plan on taking a few days off work after their tumescent Lipo surgery for recovery. Generally they should be able to return to normal activities within two weeks or less, although they should be sure to return to their tumescent Lipo surgeon for follow-up visits as directed.

Comparative Risks and Benefits of Tumescent Lipo

One advantage of tumescent Lipo is that it requires less equipment and therefore tends to be cheaper than some of the newer types of Lipo. Its relatively long history is both a positive and a negative--the tumescent Lipo technology is the foundation for many newer forms of Lipo. Aditionally, tumescent Lipo also is better understood because of its relative age: there is also a larger body of research about tumescent Lipo's efficacy and possible side effects than about more recently developed methods.

Additionally, tumescent Lipo is combined with most forms of new Lipo techniques to give the patient even better results.

However, there are still definitely risks associated with tumescent Lipo. As with all types of Lipo, there is the danger of minor or cosmetic complications. Scarring and bruising are relatively common. There is also the possibility of a lumpy appearance or saggy, excess skin if too much fat is removed at a time.

The large amounts of fluid used in tumescent Lipo are one of its benefits, but they can also lead to problems. Sometimes the amount of lidocaine injected is too high, and this leads to a problem called lidocaine toxicity. This is a potentially serious problem. Also, if the tumescent Lipo surgeon injects too much fluid into the target area, it is possible for this to lead to an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.

While tumescent Lipo carries fewer risks than other types of Lipo the potential for complications cannot be eliminated entirely, but they can be drastically reduced. One thing you can do to help reduce risks is to make sure that you choose an experienced and skilled tumescent Lipo surgeon.

The quality of your Lipo will depend in large measure on the skill of your surgeon.

Research different offices in your area, and realize that it doesn't always pay to go with the very cheapest. You're much better off going with someone that you know will do a good job.

Also, as with any surgery, you will want to have a certain base level of health going into it. The healthier you are, the better you will recover from your tumescent Lipo surgery, which will also improve your results.