Tumescent Liposuction

Developed in the mid 1980s, Tumescent Liposuction involves filling the fatty layer of skin with a diluted solution of local anaesthesia and other medications prior to removing the excess fat. Tumescent liposuction allows the safe and efficient removal of deep and superficial excess layers of fat with minimal discomfort, quicker healing, and improved visual results.

With Tumescent liposuction the areas of excess fat are injected with a large amount of adrenaline/anaesthetic liquid before liposuction is performed. This liquid solution shrinks capillaries and minimize blood loss. The liquid also causes the compartments of fat to become tumesced, which basically means swollen and firm. These expanded fat areas allow the cannula to travel smoothly beneath the skin as the fat is removed, resulting in the sculpting of bulging areas into more attractive contours.

After tumescent liposuction, patients are typically alert and able to function without the usual side effects associated with being under a general anaesthetic such as nausea, disorientation and grogginess. An elastic compression garment is then worn to help the skin contract and heal, and a typical patient can return to work normally a few days after the procedure, and strenuous exercises should be kept to a minimum for a week or so. Heavy exercise and activities such as aerobics should be refrained from for about 3 weeks.