Liposuction remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, and new techniques have improved both the process and patient satisfaction. This blog will discuss tumescent liposuction and power-assisted liposuction (PAL) and the benefits of these liposuction methods.
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What Is Liposuction?
Liposuction, also called liposculpture or simple “lipo,” is the most popular plastic surgery procedure performed today. This slimming and sculpting surgery is designed to remove stubborn fat so you can achieve the silhouette you desire. Liposuction techniques can be applied to various body parts, including the abdomen, flanks or “love handles,” chin, arms, legs, and more.
What Is Tumescent Liposuction?
This liposuction technique involves injecting a solution into the targeted areas of fat. The solution contains a mixture of saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine. This mixture makes the procedure more successful in a few ways:
- The saline permeates the area evenly and makes the tissue swell for easy contouring.
- The lidocaine acts as a local anesthetic and, if desired, allows for the procedure to be performed without general anesthesia and its side effects.
- The epinephrine shrinks blood vessels and minimizes bleeding.
What Are the Benefits of Tumescent Liposuction?
There are many benefits to choosing tumescent liposuction over traditional liposuction. These include:
- Reduced need for general anesthesia
- Less bruising, swelling, and inflammation
- Faster recovery
- Removes 5–10 pounds of fat
- Effective for broad areas of the body
For these reasons and more, many practices use tumescent fluid in their liposuction procedures, whether they call it “tumescent liposuction” or not. Tumescent solutions have largely replaced previous methods as the new traditional or standard form of liposuction.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tumescent Liposuction?
Good candidates for any plastic surgery procedure are those who are in good health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations. You may be a good candidate for tumescent liposuction if:
- You want to remove fat from a larger area
- You want to avoid general anesthesia
- You desire a faster recovery
To determine if liposuction is a good option for you and which technique will best suit your goals, schedule a consultation with a trustworthy and experienced plastic surgeon. Dr. Jason Jack and Dr. Robert Oliver are board-certified plastic surgeons with years of experience giving patients beautiful results.
What Is Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)?
Power-assisted liposuction refers to the vibrating cannula, the thin tube used to suction out fat from the body. A rapidly oscillating cannula means less exertion for the surgeon and allows them to dislodge fat more effectively. The overall procedure is smoother and faster.
What Are the Benefits of Power-Assisted Liposuction?
Power-assisted liposuction has many advantages, including:
- Faster, more efficient, and safer procedure
- Stimulation of skin contraction, resulting in tighter skin post-procedure
- Enhanced precision, as a vibrating cannula allows for better control and accuracy
- Easier to navigate dense areas of fat
Who Is a Good Candidate for Power-Assisted Liposuction?
In addition to the above guidelines for good plastic surgery candidates, you may be a good candidate for power-assisted liposuction if:
- You have a larger amount of fat you’d like to remove
- You have dense fat in small areas
- You have precision areas you’d like to target, such as the chin
How Can Patients Improve Liposuction Results?
While it is essential that you choose a highly trained, board-certified plastic surgeon with plenty of experience in the procedure you desire, there are some things that you can do to improve your liposuction results.
Achieve a Healthy Weight Before Surgery
Liposuction can help you lose a few pounds, but your results will be much better if you are already at or near your ideal weight before you get liposuction. This way, your surgeon can focus on contouring, and you can specify which areas you’d like to chisel.
Rest After Surgery
Following your procedure, it is important to rest. This way, your body can focus on healing properly. Your skin can adjust to your new contours, and if you can avoid complications, you can enjoy your new look sooner.
Exercise When You Have Healed
Once you’re totally healed and cleared by your surgeon to exercise, please do so! Even though the fat cells removed are gone forever, that does not prevent the remaining fat cells from growing if you gain weight. Most patients love their bodies so much after liposuction they naturally want to take care of their results with a healthy diet and consistent exercise. Plus, increased muscle tone, feeling connected to your body, and being in excellent physical shape are all ways to not only maintain your results, but to fully enjoy them.
Interested in Liposuction in Birmingham, AL?
If you are considering liposuction, want to learn more, or would like to schedule a consultation, call (205) 298-8660 or fill out our online contact form. We would be delighted to hear from you!