Fluid Injection, a technique in which a medicated solution is injected into fatty areas before the fat is removed, is commonly used by plastic surgeons today. The fluid — a mixture of intravenous salt solution, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a drug that contracts blood vessels) — helps the fat be removed more easily, reduces blood loss and provides anesthesia during and after surgery. Fluid injection also helps to reduce the amount of bruising after surgery.

The amount of fluid that is injected varies depending on the preference of the surgeon.

Large volumes of fluid — sometimes as much as three times the amount of fat to be removed — are injected in the tumescent technique. Tumescent liposuction, typically performed on patients who need only a local anesthetic, usually takes significantly longer than traditional liposuction (sometimes as long as 4 to 5 hours). However, because the injected fluid contains an adequate amount of anesthetic, additional anesthesia may not be necessary. The name of this technique refers to the swollen and firm or “tumesced” state of the fatty tissues when they are filled with solution.

The super-wet technique is similar to the tumescent technique, except that lesser amounts of fluid are used. Usually the amount of fluid injected is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. This technique often requires IV sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes one to two hours of surgery time.

Ultrasound-Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL). This technique requires the use of a special cannula that produces ultrasonic energy. As it passes through the areas of fat, the energy explodes the walls of the fat cells, liquefying the fat. The fat is then removed with the traditional liposuction technique.

UAL has been shown to improve the ease and effectiveness of liposuction in fibrous areas of the body, such as the upper back or the enlarged male breast. It is also commonly used in secondary procedures, when enhanced precision is needed. In general, UAL takes longer to perform than traditional liposuction.

Power Assisted Liposuction

Lipoplasty (liposuction) has proven to be a very popular surgical cosmetic procedure; see current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics. Power-Assisted Lipoplasty (PAL) is a relatively new technique, approved for general use by the FDA in December 1998, and is not yet widely used. Most lipoplasty procedures are performed using traditional suction-assisted lipoplasty (SAL) and certain procedures can benefit from ultrasound-assisted lipoplasty (UAL).

Technique:

In PAL, a reciprocating cannula, or hollow tube (powered by gas or electricity) powers through tissue and vacuums out fat and fibrous or scarred tissue reportedly with minimal effort. The back and forth motion of the tip of the cannula facilitates passage through tissue.

Benefits:

Procedure may be gentler for the patient, possibly causing less bruising, swelling and discomfort.

May provide a more rapid recovery, with quicker return to work and activities.

Patients may spend less time in the operating room and under anesthesia than with other lipoplasty techniques.

• Liposuction Surgery Techniques and Information
• Tumescent Liposuction: Brigitte Nielsen Plastic Surgery
• Tumescent Liposuction : A Better Technique?

Introduction

If you’ve ever heard about liposuction or its technique, you’ve probably heard of tumescent liposuction. Body-Jet liposuction was developed from the tumescent technique, allowing this new procedure to bring about better results.

Body-Jet new technique makes it different from and superior to the tumescent technique, which we will discuss in greater detail.

Why Body-Jet is safer and better

The Body-Jet, also referred to as Water Jet Liposuction (WAL), uses a thin, fan-shaped jet that is channeled into the fat tissue. As a result, the fat easily loses its structure and is released.

For the Body-Jet, a pressure system has been developed. This pressure system directs the infiltration solution through a closed tubing system via a piston pump and into a very thin application cannula.

The application cannula is surrounded by an external cannula, which can have different diameters and openings depending on its purpose.

The surgeon who performs liposuction using the Body-Jet technique can choose the rate of infiltration and the level of pressure by using computer software.

The solution

To minimize the side effects of liposuction, this new technique was developed with a two-stage concept.

Pre-infiltration produces rapid anesthetization and vasoconstriction in the liposuction treatment. Then, the liposuction will be carried out through a rinsing solution.

The two-stage concept uses two tumescent solutions that are combined for the water jet technique. The infiltration is performed with a short-acting analgesic with rapid uptake. In this process, the infiltration is also performed with a long-acting analgesic with slow uptake.

The process is performed under continually added and almost immediate aspiration during the liposuction treatment. Therefore, the concentration in the rinsing solution can be reduced.

The surgeon can avoid the “tearing up” effect because the Body-Jet technique gives the surgeon ability to easily “suck” the fat off the patient’s body.

Preparation

With the Body-Jet, the patient will be prepared as though for a typical liposuction treatment. Anesthetization and vasoconstriction take place over a shorter period of time, compared with the tumescent technique.

The patient will be awake during the process and can work with the surgeon to obtain the desired result. The patient can get up during the treatment and look in the mirror to see the results. This is another advantage of the Body-Jet, since it gives the patient the ability to see the results, even before the process has ended.

Result

As you can see, the way the Body-Jet performs the liposuction process makes it easier for the surgeon to remove fat out from the patient’s body.

To summarize, the advantages of the Body-Jet technique are the following:

1. The tissue is not destroyed.

2. Pain, swelling and blue patches are reduced.

3. A smaller quantity of analgesia is required.

4. The result can be optimized during the treatment.

5. Subsequent corrections are minimized.

6. The results can be seen immediately.

7. The operation period is significantly shorter.

Summary

Body-Jet gives the patient better results and satisfaction. If you compare Body-Jet with tumescent technique, you can see that Body-Jet is the better choice.

• Tumescent Liposuction : A Better Technique?
• What You Should Know About Tumescent Liposuction
• Understanding The Tumescent Liposuction Procedure

Though liposuction has been around since the seventies advanced techniques for performing it are relatively new. Tumescent liposuction is one of those newer liposuction methods that are being recommended to patients. Liposuction used to be a very invasive process where a patient needed post operative blood transfusions. This of course led to higher risks for the patient and increased the recovery time needed after the surgery. Thankfully, there have been many advancements in liposuction particularly in the methods and tools used for the surgery. Tumescent liposuction is a popular option.

The Tumescent Procedure Itself

Tumescent liposuction is liposuction that is usually performed under local anesthesia. General anesthesia can be risky in some patients so this is a big seller. During the procedure, areas of excess fat are injected with a large amount of anesthetic liquid(lidocaine, epinephrine and intravenous fluid) before liposuction is performed. The liquid causes the areas of fat to become swollen and firm otherwise known as “tumesced.” The expanded fat compartments allow the liposuction cannula to travel smoothly beneath the skin as the fat is removed resulting in less bruising and blood loss.

Though this procedure is less invasive doctors still recommend that you fit a certain profile. Liposuction, even tumescent liposuction, is still surgery and therefore can not be taken lightly.

The Ideal Tumescent Liposuction Candidate

As with liposuction in general, tumescent liposuction is for those people who are already physically fit. The best profile is a patient who has small areas of fat deposits. They have tried conventional means like diet and exercise without any results. Generally you have to have a physical from your own doctor approving you for the surgery. Sometimes a consultation with a psychologist is advised to make sure you understand why you are choosing liposuction and to make sure you set the right expectations for yourself.

The tumescent liposuction technique isn’t the only advanced method available to you when it comes to liposuction. Please be sure to ask your doctor about the super-wet technique which is similar to tumescent liposuction. Depending on what part of the body you are having the liposuction this may be a better option for you. You should also ask about Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction which uses energy to liquefy the fat.

Due to the popularity of cosmetic surgery today advances are being made regularly. Tumescent liposuction definitely was a leap forward for prospective patients. If you are prepared to do your homework and ask the right questions liposuction may be your ticket to the body you can’t seem to get on the strength of diet and exercise alone.

• Understanding The Tumescent Liposuction Procedure
• Ultrasonic Vs. Tumescent Liposuction
• Tumescent Liposuction: Brigitte Nielsen Plastic Surgery