Liposuction’s Skyrocketing Popularity: The Tumescent Lipo Advantage
Breast augmentation held the title of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States for nearly two decades. From the early 2000s until 2019, this breast enlargement procedure consistently ranked as the top choice for patients seeking to enhance their appearance.
The number of liposuction procedures performed in the U.S. has steadily increased since 2013, and recent data reveals that liposuction has surpassed breast augmentation in popularity. This growth and shift can be attributed to the advanced tumescent techniques that make liposuction safer and more effective than ever before. Let’s dive into why tumescent liposuction is superior and why it might be the procedure for you.
The Evolution of Liposuction: A Brief Overview
Liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure that removes excess fat from the body, and it has come a long way since its inception. In the early days, liposuction procedures were invasive and carried a high risk of complications. However, as technology and surgical techniques have evolved, liposuction has become a safer and more effective option for those looking to achieve their desired body contour.
Tumescent Liposuction: The Game Changer
Tumescent liposuction was first introduced in the mid-1980s by Dr. Jeffrey A. Klein, a dermatologist from California. This innovative technique quickly gained recognition for its safety and efficacy compared to traditional liposuction methods. By the early 1990s, tumescent liposuction had become more widely accepted and began to be adopted by plastic surgeons around the world.
As awareness about the benefits of tumescent liposuction grew, the technique gained popularity among both patients and surgeons. Its minimally invasive nature, reduced risk of complications and shorter recovery times contributed to its widespread use in the field of cosmetic surgery.
Today, tumescent liposuction is considered the gold standard for liposuction procedures and is a preferred choice for many patients seeking body contouring treatments. Its continuous advancements and refinements over the years have solidified its position as a leading technique in the world of cosmetic surgery.
What Is Tumescent Liposuction?
The tumescent liposuction technique involves injecting a large volume of a diluted local anesthetic solution, known as tumescent solution, into the fatty tissue. The tumescent solution causes the area to become firm and swollen, which allows for more precise fat removal with minimal blood loss and a significantly reduced risk of complications.
What’s Tumescent Solution Made Of?
The tumescent solution is a mixture of several ingredients. Each plays a vital role in enhancing the outcome and reducing potential risks for the patient.
The primary components of a tumescent solution include:
- Saline solution: Saline solution is sterile water with a small amount of salt (sodium chloride) to match the body’s natural salt concentration. The primary function of the saline solution is to dilute the other components of the tumescent solution and provide a medium for even distribution throughout the treatment area. This ensures proper hydration of the tissues and helps minimize tissue trauma.
- Local anesthetic: A local anesthetic is included in the tumescent solution to provide numbing and pain relief during and after the liposuction procedure. Lidocaine is the most commonly used anesthetic, but bupivacaine may be used in some cases. The local anesthetic reduces the need for general anesthesia or heavy sedation, leading to fewer anesthesia-related side effects and a faster recovery for the patient.
- Vasoconstrictor: Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, is a vasoconstrictor that causes blood vessels to narrow. Epinephrine in the tumescent solution reduces bleeding during the procedure by limiting blood flow to the treatment area. This results in less blood loss and minimized postoperative bruising and swelling that ultimately leads to a quicker recovery.
- Sodium bicarbonate: Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, is sometimes added to the tumescent solution to neutralize the acidity of the local anesthetic. This buffering action can make the injection of the solution more comfortable for the patient and increase the effectiveness of the local anesthetic.
What Is SenzaLipo?
SenzaLipo is a minimally invasive liposuction procedure developed by Dr. Rasi at Senza Aesthetic Medicine that combines the optimal techniques from various liposuction options. It uses a tumescent solution, small instruments, tiny incisions and gentle fat removal with a special powered cannula to provide safer, more precise body sculpting.
Key Advantages of SenzaLipo With Tumescent Solution
When you opt for minimally invasive SenzaLipo using a tumescent solution, you’re choosing a technique that offers numerous benefits over traditional liposuction and other cosmetic procedures.
Some of the main advantages of SenzaLipo include the following:
Enhanced Safety
Safety is a primary concern for the patients undergoing cosmetic procedures and the surgeons performing them. The tumescent technique used in SenzaLipo minimizes the risk of complications by employing local anesthesia, which reduces the need for general anesthesia or heavy sedation. This means you’ll experience fewer anesthesia-related side effects and have a lower risk of blood clots and other complications. SenzaLipo also uses smaller incisions and a gentler technique to further enhance patient safety.
Reduced Blood Loss
One of the main concerns with traditional liposuction is excessive blood loss. The tumescent solution in this advanced liposuction technique constricts blood vessels, resulting in significantly less blood loss during the procedure.
Less Pain and Discomfort
The local anesthetic in the tumescent solution provides pain relief during and after the SenzaLipo procedure. Patients are typically surprised at how comfortable the treatment is. As a result of local anesthesia and the delicate technique, you’ll experience less discomfort and won’t require strong pain medications during your SenzaLipo recovery.
Smoother Results
The specialized cannula and tumescent solution used for SenzaLipo allow for more precise fat removal, which leads to smoother, more natural-looking results. This is particularly important when treating areas like the abdomen, thighs and hips, where uneven fat removal can cause unsightly lumps or uneven contours.
Quicker Recovery
The minimally invasive nature of SenzaLipo means you’ll recover more quickly than with traditional liposuction or other more invasive procedures. Most patients can return to work within a couple of days and resume moderate activities within a week.
Is Tumescent Liposuction More Expensive Than Traditional Liposuction?
Tumescent liposuction and SenzaLipo are typically more affordable than traditional liposuction, primarily due to the use of local anesthesia. Unlike general anesthesia, which requires an anesthesiologist to administer, local anesthesia in the tumescent solution numbs the treatment area. The absence of an anesthesiologist and the associated fees contribute to a lower overall cost for tumescent liposuction or SenzaLipo compared to traditional liposuction.
Embrace a New, More Slender You With SenzaLipo in Redlands, CA
Tumescent liposuction’s rise in popularity over breast augmentation is a testament to its safety, effectiveness and versatility. With this technique employed by SenzaLipo, you can achieve a more slim and sculpted appearance with minimal risks and downtime.
Dr. Rasi has extensive knowledge of tumescent liposuction and over 16 years of experience performing the procedure. Schedule your consultation with him at Senza Aesthetic Medicine and explore the life-changing benefits of this body contouring procedure.
Call our Redlands office at 909-793-3563 or contact us online today!