|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

Liposuction Methods

Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery operation which uses a suction device to remove unwanted fat in certain areas of the body including the abdomen, thighs and buttocks, the neck, and backs of the arms.

  1. Dry Liposuction

    • Also known as "traditional" liposuction, dry liposuction is the first type of liposuction where only general anesthesia was used. It has now been phased out as a method of liposuction due to the increase in potential complications it creates for the patient, such as severe pain, blood loss and temporary immobility.

    Tumescent

    • As of June 2010, tumescent is the most common liposuction technique used . It was invented by Dr. Jeffrey Klein in 1985 and involves a large amount of local anesthetic solution being injected into the fat causing it to become tumescent, or swollen. An expanded fat layer makes liposuctioning easier, constricted blood vessels reduces blood loss and post-operative pain is reduced. As general anesthesia is not used, the associated risks outlined under Dry Liposuction are avoided.

    Wet and Super Wet Techniques

    • Local anesthetic solution is used, but in smaller volumes than the tumescent technique. Generally for the wet technique there is a lower volume than the amount of targeted fat, while in the super wet technique there is an equal volume to the amount of targeted fat. Adrenaline may be added to the anesthetic solution in both techniques.

    Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL)

    • A large volume of tumescent fluid is injected with a specially-designed cannula (a hollow stainless steel tube), as in the other methods, but next ultrasonic waves are emitted into the targeted fat cells causing them to rupture or "melt" before suction. There are a number of different types of UAL, the latest being Vaser LipoSelection, often called just "Vaser", which uses ultrasound high frequency vibration to break fat cells apart. The disadvantage of this procedure is that it generally takes longer and costs more than other methods but ultimately offers the surgeon more control and protects other tissues, and by using saline solution there is typically less bleeding and bruising.

    Power Assisted Techniques (PAL)

    • Power is supplied by an electric motor or compressed air to a liposuction cannula that produces either a rapid in-and-out movement or a spinning rotation. This movement, normally just a few millimeters, is added to the larger back and forth movements created by the surgeon. PAL has less operator fatigue, easier and smoother fat removal, and fewer traumas to the tissues treated as the oscillating tip passes through fibrous tissues easier.

    Laser Assisted Liposuction

    • Laser energy is used to break down the fat rather than the grating action of a cannula. It is suited to small areas of fat, like the chin, where there may be some skin tightening from the laser, but is not so efficient at removal of larger areas of fat. Liposuction lasers are specially designed to target only fat cells, protecting muscle and nerve tissue. This precision often means less pain, faster healing and very little bruising after the procedure.

Surgeries - Related Articles