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| Tumescent Liposuction |
This is a question I get frequently. Some of the newer
approaches have made great claims as to their superiority over the more
traditional method, but these have yet to be proven and published in scientific
journals. I always think that if those new techniques are really what they
promote, then every plastic surgeon in the world would do them, and that is not
the case. They have been around for a long time and they haven't substituted
traditional liposuction, and probably never will. At any rate, the variable
of highest importance when selecting liposuction surgery is the experience
level and efficacy of the provider.
Tumescent Liposuction is the original mode of treatment and
continues to be regarded the gold standard by which other methods are compared.
It functions by applying a local anesthetic to the area, injecting a fluid to
shrink the blood vessels and expand the fat cells, and then inserting through
small incisions a long rod-like device called a cannula through which the
targeted fat cells are removed by vacuum suction. Some temporary bruising and
swelling are typical with this procedure.
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| Micro-fat Grafting |
This is the method that my team and I employ in my practice
most frequently. Done correctly, it provides the incredible results that
liposuction is known for with minimal risk. Unlike all other types of
liposuction, the fat tissue removed is still in tact enough that it may be
inserted into different areas of the body where more volume is desired, such as
the buttocks or facial deposits. This is a common procedure known as micro-fat
grafting.
Laser (Smart-Lipo, Slim-Lipo), Ultrasound (VASER), Water
(BodyJet), and Power Assisted Liposuction are the newer, more heavily marketed
types of liposuction. They all act to liquefy the fat tissue more thoroughly
than the traditional approach prior to its removal, which disallows the removed
fat to be used elsewhere in the body. While it seems true that this
liquification may lead to slightly less blood being extracted with the fat, the
claims about producing less swelling and tissue trauma have yet to be proven
and published in medical journals.
Because of the extreme measures taken to liquefy the fat
and the precision required, these alternative methods also come with elevated
risk for skin, nerve, and tissue damage, mostly depending on the skill level of
the operator of the equipment. There is a much greater learning curve involved,
so it’s crucial that the providing surgeon has been utilizing these techniques
for a long time. They can also require more time in the operating room. I would
say that the most important contributing factor to these techniques, which
separates them from the traditional method is less bleeding. Besides that, I
don't see any other true benefit.
