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| Liposuction: About the Procedure |
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What are the various methods of liposuction?
Dry Method
The oldest form of liposuction, the Dry Method was imported to the U.S. from Europe in the early 1980s. Unlike the Wet Method of liposuction, no fluids are pumped into the tissues before removing the fat. While the Wet Method may be performed with local anesthetic, the Dry Method usually required a general anesthetic due to increased pain. The Dry Method may result in more bleeding into the suctioned areas and occasionally required a blood transfusion when large volumes were removed.
Fluid Injection or Wet Method
The second oldest liposuction technique, the Fluid Injection Method pumps a salt solution containing adrenaline or ephinephrine (to restrict bleeding) and lidocaine (a numbing medication) into the tissues before suctioning the target fat. This method has surpassed the Dry Method as it helps fat be removed more easily, reduces bleeding and blood loss, provides some anesthesia during surgery and possibly results in enhanced patient mobility. The Fluid Injection method differs from the later Tumescent (Klein) Method in that the target fat is not tumesced (ballooned or swollen with fluid).
Tumescent Liposuction
Tumescent, meaning swollen or ballooned, refers to the enlarged appearance of the tissues due to a large volume of fluid pumped into the target fat before and during the removal procedure. Tumescent Liposuction is also known as the Klein Method, after the California dermatologic surgeon who invented it in the 1980s. The tumescent fluid (also known as Klein Solution) contains sterile dilute salt water, adrenaline (to reduce bleeding), lidocaine (a numbing medication) and bicarbonate (to reduce the acidity of the IV to reduce discomfort). Recently, surgeons have also used a small amount of triamcinolone, a hydrocortisone anti-inflammatory medication that reduces post-operative soreness. Tumescent Liposuction is considered to be one of the safest and most effective form of liposuction, as it enables the surgical instruments to pass through the skin and tissue with less pain, trauma and bleeding.
Super Wet
This technique is similar to the Wet Technique except that greater amounts of fluid are used. Usually, the surgeon injects fluid equal to the amount of fat to be removed.
Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL)
This form of liposuction uses an ultrasound generator that vibrates the tip of the cannula to 'shake and break' the fat cells. As fat and oil are released into the surrounding area, the cannula sucks it up and removes it from the area. 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. Unfortunately, the heat at the tip of the cannula can damage nerves, vessels and organs if not properly controlled. To date UAL has been performed successfully on several thousand people worldwide, however, the long-term effects of ultrasound energy are not yet known.
Mega Liposuction
A more risky liposuction procedure that removes a large amount of fat. Mega liposuction is almost always performed on severely overweight patients and can result in removal of 8 or more liters of fat.
Split Session Liposuction
While mega liposuction removes all available fat in one session, split session liposuction involves two or three smaller sessions on separate days. Split sessions usually take place a month apart to allow the body to recuperate. Even when combined, the risks of split sessions are usually less than a mega liposuction.
Other names for fat removal
- Liposculpture
A technique where surplus fat is removed and injected into other areas to fill in lines or dimples created by cellulite.
- Hydroliposculpture
A more contemporary word for tumescent liposuction.
- Lipoplasty
A newer, cosmetic surgery-style term for liposuction.
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