When it comes to defining the contours of your body, you have many options for reshaping those hard-to-reach areas that don’t seem to respond to your healthy diet and consistent exercise. When it comes to cosmetic body contouring, liposuction is perhaps the most commonly-requested, and successful, procedure available. In our efforts to provide to the most innovative treatments while maximizing our patient’s comfort, Edina plastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Kobienia, offers tumescent liposuction to get rid of stubborn fat deposits for a leaner, trimmer appearance.
The Liposuction Procedure
Liposuction is a popular plastic surgery technique that helps refine the shape of your body by suctioning out excess deposits of fat. The procedure is diverse enough that it can be performed in a number of different areas on the body, and simple enough that you won’t require extensive surgery to complete it. Liposuction involves creating a small incision in the target area, through which your plastic surgeon can insert a small, tube-like instrument (cannula) attached to a suction device. Depending on your specific preferences, Dr. Kobienia can recommend an appropriate approach to liposuction, including the popular tumescent technique that minimizes discomfort, bleeding, and overall healing time while maximizing the end results.
The Tumescent Technique
Tumescent means swollen and firm, which aptly portrays the core concept of the tumescent liposuction technique. Tumescent describes a form of local anesthesia that combines lidocaine with the hormone epinephrine, which shrinks the capillaries to reduce bleeding and overall healing times. The injection causes the area to become swollen and firm, or tumescent, and allows for a smaller cannula to be inserted. The potency and long-lasting effects of tumescent local anesthesia mean that you can likely avoid intravenous (IV) sedation and general anesthesia throughout your liposuction procedure.
The Benefits of Tumescent Liposuction
Though tumescent liposuction wasn’t developed until the late 1970s, it has proven a highly-effective and preferred method of performing liposuction. It also provides numerous benefits over other liposuction methods;
- Fewer skin irregularities thanks to smaller cannula and firmer surrounding tissues
- Less bleeding
- Significantly lower risk of infection
- Less chance of dimpling and other skin effects
- Reduced risk of fluid accumulation underneath the skin
- Minimal post-operative recovery time
- Produces optimal cosmetic results.
Is it Right for Me?
As beneficial as tumescent liposuction can be, it can only benefit you if it’s the right procedure for your condition. Ideal candidates for liposuction are people who are close to their target weight, but still have trouble trimming the fat and skin around the legs, arms, torso, or tummy. If you are overweight, then you should not expect liposuction to provide an effective method of weight loss. To determine which option is right for you, your plastic surgeon will perform a comprehensive examination to determine if liposuction is right for you, or if you may benefit more from one of our other cosmetic procedures.
Learn More by Calling Us Today
To learn more about the tumescent liposuction technique, or to find out if any of other plastic surgery procedures are right for you, schedule a consultation by calling or visiting our office today.
