Liposuction is a surgical technique that improves the body's contour by removing excess fat from deposits located between the skin and muscle using a hollow stainless steel tube (called a cannula or a microcannula) with the assistance of a powerful vacuum. Fat removal is accomplished as the suction cannula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. After surgery, these tiny tunnels collapse and thus result in an improved body contour. The tumescent technique for liposuction was invented and developed in 1985 and is unquestionably the safest form of liposuction provided the volume of fat removed and the number of areas treated during a single surgery is not excessive. Tumescent Liposuction refers to a technique that uses large volumes of very dilute local anesthesia (Lidocaine with Epinephrine) that is injected into areas of subcutaneous fat causing the targeted areas to become tumescent, or swollen and firm. This profoundly shrinks capillaries and thus virtually eliminates surgical blood loss and causes the absorption process to be spread over 24 to 36 hours. Because local anesthesia persists for many hours there is no need for narcotic pain medications after surgery. The tumescent technique eliminates both the need for general anesthesia and need for IV narcotics and sedatives.

In summary, the tumescent technique for liposuction:

1) provides local anesthesia
2) constricts capillaries and prevents surgical blood loss
3) provides fluid to the body by subcutaneous injection so that no IV fluids are needed
4) eliminates the need for post-surgical pain medications
5) eliminates the dangers of general anesthesia.

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