Liposuction

Tumescent Liposuction

For over thirty years, traditional liposuction has helped thousands of patients to shape and tone their stomach, thighs, and other areas on the body. Although traditional liposuction was an effective treatment method, many doctors reported that their patients occasionally experienced uncomfortable side effects including bleeding and swelling. To improve the results of the procedure and to reduce patient discomfort, a technique known as tumescent liposuction was developed. Dr. Howard Sutkin uses the tumescent liposuction method exclusively at his California plastic surgery practice, with Bay Area offices in San Jose and Los Gatos.

Liposuction is not intended as a weight loss treatment, so the procedure is not recommended for patients who greatly exceed their ideal body weight. But for those patients who have tried dieting and exercise yet have still not been able to get rid of troublesome fat deposits, liposuction is an ideal solution. Liposuction can help trim and tone the areas on the body that are the most stubborn at responding to healthy lifestyle changes, including the stomach, buttocks, thighs, and arms.

To begin the tumescent liposuction procedure, Dr. Sutkin injects a liquid solution into the treatment area. The solution contains a local anesthetic as well as epinephrine, a hormone found naturally in the body. When injected into the body, epinephrine causes the blood vessels to shrink, resulting in less blood loss during treatment. The liquid solution also causes the pockets of fat to become larger and firmer, resulting in easier extraction. Once the liquid solution has been injected, an instrument known as a cannula is inserted into the area of the body being treated. The cannula acts as a small surgical vacuum and is guided by Dr. Sutkin to remove fat cells safely and effectively.

Advantages of Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction has several significant advantages over traditional liposuction. First, the tumescent solution contains a local anesthesia that reduces pain and discomfort and eliminates the need for general anesthesia. Second, the solution contains epinephrine, a substance that helps limit the amount of blood that is lost during surgery. This results in much less discomfort for the patient after treatment, including less bruising and swelling.

To learn more about the benefits of tumescent liposuction, contact our practice today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Howard Sutkin.