Tumescent liposuction is a technique that allows a surgeon to inject fat with a mixture that swells the tissue, making it firmer. The swollen tissue is then easier to manipulate when traditional liposuction is done—that is, removing fat cells. It is done under a local anesthetic and is considered quite safe.

How It Works
Tumescent liposuction differs from traditional liposuction in that the surgeon injects a solution of medications into the fat layer just under the skin. The medications consist of a local anesthetic and epinephrine, among others. When the mixture is injected, the surgeon targets fatty areas. The mixture infuses the tissue, making it firmer. The surgeon then makes a small cut and inserts the vacuum-like tube under the skin and into the fatty tissue. Fat cells are sucked out of the body. The advantage to tumescent liposuction is that the surgeon is better able to access fatty deposits and have better control than via traditional liposuction methods.

Advantages of Tumescent Liposuction
Before tumescent liposuction, the incisions for the liposuction tube had to be fairly large. Today’s incisions, with the tumescent technique, are quite small in comparison. Tumescent liposuction only requires one or possibly two tiny incisions. Another benefit of tumescent liposuction includes better control for the surgeon, which translates into better and more exact results. Tumescent liposuction surgery also only requires local anesthesia, where the patient stays awake. This is much less risky than general anesthesia for the patient. The procedure is also an outpatient procedure, which means a lower cost without an expensive hospital stay. Patients report a shorter recovery time as well as fewer instances of lumpiness, bruising or skin dimpling with tumescent liposuction surgery.