Lili Cordell
Tumescent liposuction is a beneficial operation for patients who desire improved appearance to their physical features but who do not require the technology of the ultrasonic liposuction. It is a simpler alternative to other types of plastic surgery, like the tummy tuck or face lift.
The Tumescent Liposuction Procedure
A common problem among patients in the past was the extensive amount of blood loss when the surgery was conducted using the “dry” method. To solve this problem, surgeons have devised two new methods to perform the surgery: the wet method and the super-wet method.
Wet method
To begin the tumescent liposuction using the “wet” procedure, the surgeon injects a tumescent fluid into the area to be operated. The fluid consists of lidocaine (a local anesthetic), epinephrine (to shrink the blood vessels), and a solution of salt water and other fluids. Because the anesthetic is local, there is more swelling, and the surgeon must refrain from making any incisions until the swelling caused by the shrunken blood vessels has receded.
Once the treated area has ceased to swell, the surgeon uses a scalpel to make tiny incisions of 2/3 inches in length or smaller. The quantity of the incisions depends on the amount of fat to be removed, as well as the size of the patient. A cannula, an instrument similar to a vacuum, is inserted into the incision(s) and begins to suck out the fatty tissue that surrounds the muscle. Unlike the ultrasonic method, the fat tissue is not liquefied. For this reason, a tumescent liposuction procedure is more time consuming.
After the fat deposits have been removed, the cannula is withdrawn from the incision, which is then closed with sutures. Because of their small size, these cuts are quick to heal and leave minimum scarring.
Super wet method
The difference between the two methods is the manner in which the anesthesia is administered. When the cosmetic surgery is performed utilizing the super wet method, the dose of lidocaine in the injection is considerably smaller, and does not provide a substantial amount of anesthesia for the patient. To supplement the difference, further sedation is required to be taken intravenously, or, the surgeon will simply administer a general anesthesia. Because of the smaller dose of lidocaine, it is unnecessary to wait for the swelling to reduce, and the surgeon can complete the procedure in less than two hours.
Risks
The risks involved in liposuction are the same as any other plastic surgery. Infection and blood clots are always a possibility. The exception is that tumescent liposuction, especially when performed using the wet method, involves the risk of fluid accumulation in the lungs. An anesthesia that contains a high dosage of lidocaine can result in the body’s inability to metabolize the solution. When this occurs, fluid can build up in the lungs, which can lead to death.
Tumescent Liposuction Costs
Insurance companies do not deem liposuction as an obligatory treatment; therefore the chances of the patient paying full costs out of pocket are great.
Although the cost of tumescent liposuction is within the range of other types of liposuctions (between $1,500 and $7,000), these procedural fees are most likely to be assessed at the lower end of the spectrum. The tumescent procedure is not as technological as its ultrasonic liposuction counterpart, and the overall time length of the procedure can often be less.
Additional fees
The amount mentioned above is not the full cost of liposuction; it does not take into account the several additional fees that are sure to be assessed, such as hospital fees, facility fees, before and after care, and medication. These fees vary depending on the location of the surgeon; a hospital in a large city will mostly likely charge a greater amount then small doctor’s suite in the country.
[page updated December 2008]