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In 2006, more than 300,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the United States. Dr. Jeffrey Klien, M.D., developed the safest and most advanced form of this procedure, tumescent liposuction, in 1985. He trained Dr. Puente to perform it in 1994, and since then, Dr. Puente has completed over 10,000 tumescent liposuction procedures on 2,100 patients in 9,000 areas without any complications. Dr. Puente enriches his experience by training other physicians in the tumescent liposuction technique.
Tumescent liposuction can be performed entirely under local anesthesia and improves the body’s contour by removing unwanted fat deposits located between the skin and muscle. Prior to the development of tumescent liposuction, patients underwent general anesthesia during liposuction operations.
During the procedure, Dr. Puente injects a solution into the fatty tissue that anesthetizes the area, causing it to compress and swell (becomes tumescent). This process enables an accurate, smooth and uniform extraction of targeted fat.
Next, Dr. Puente connects small stainless steel tubes, called cannulas, to a suction machine. He inserts the cannulas through tiny, inconspicuous incisions, and using a high-pressure vacuum, carefully removes fat through tunnels created by the cannulas. After surgery, the tunnels gently collapse and create an improved body silhouette. Patients may notice results quickly, but improvement and contouring increases for up to six months after surgery.
Women most commonly request tumescent liposuction for their upper outer thighs (also known as “saddle bags”). The tummy taking a close second. Men commonly request tumescent liposuction to remove their flanks, or “love handles.” Other popular areas include arms, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees and chins. Men with enlarged breasts (gynecomastia) can also undergo tumescent liposuction to flatten that area.
Candidates for Tumescent Liposuction
Active, healthy people with a normal body weight who exercise regularly are ideal candidates for tumescent liposuction. These individuals have usually done everything possible to lose unwanted, localized fat accumulation.
Moderately overweight individuals can benefit from this surgery, too, if they are committed to exercising and losing weight. They must possess realistic expectations of what liposuction will achieve for them. Overall, candidates should have good general health without any significant medical problems.
Risks Associated With Tumescent Liposuction
As with any surgical procedure, tumescent liposuction carries common side effects such as bruising, swelling and temporary numbness. This technique minimizes the risk of post-procedure skin irregularities, and since general anesthesia is not required, complications are minimal.
Mild sedation allows patients to feel relaxed, comfortable and alert during surgery. Lidocaine, the local anesthetic used for tumescent liposuction, kills bacteria and therefore eliminates the possibility of infection to treated areas. Local anesthesia remains effective for 8 to 16 hours after surgery, significantly reducing post-operative discomfort.
Post-Surgery Activity
Patients who under go tumescent liposuction return to normal physical activities soon after the procedure due to the quick and significant decrease in swelling, inflammation and pain. There is no limitation to physical activity other than what common sense dictates. Most patients are able to return to golfing, jogging or light aerobic exercise a day or two after surgery.
Patients wear special compression garments under their clothing for one week following surgery. The incisions are so small they do not require stitches, and can therefore remain slightly open for two to three days. This permits drainage of most residual anesthetic solution and blood, and helps minimize bruising and swelling, which greatly accelerates the healing process. Some post-operative drainage of the anesthetic solution may be necessary.
Will Fat Return?
Once puberty concludes, no new fat cells develop. They either swell of shrink in size depending on weight gain or loss. Liposuction surgery is the only true spot reducer. When fat cells are surgically removed from a treated area they do not return. Skin & Cosmetic Solutions now has patients who underwent liposuction 10 to 14 years ago. Their weight has not changed and the treated areas still look as good as they did after liposuction.
It’s important to note that liposuction cannot prevent weight gain, and a limited amount of fat can be extracted during one procedure. In some instances a patient may choose to repeat the procedure another time.
