Development of Tumescent Liposuction

Although Liposuction is a relatively new form of cosmetic surgery, there have been several recent improvements in the technique. One of the most significant improvements has been the introduction of tumescent liposuction, developed by Jeffrey A. Klein, M.D. in 1985. It permits liposuction totally by local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia. This technique is now considered the safest form of liposuction for removing very large amounts of fat because there is virtually no blood loss. Not only has tumescent liposuction proven to be safer than the standard technique using general anesthesia but it also has proven to be less painful, has minimized post operative recovery time, and has produced optimal cosmetic results.

Liposuction Totally By Local Anesthesia

The word tumescent means swollen and firm. Tumescent liposuction uses large volumes of a dilute solution of lidocaine, a local anesthetic, in combination with the vasoconstrictive drug epinephrine, which temporarily shrinks capillaries.

Local anesthesia used in Tumescent liposuction for liposuction is so effective that patients no longer need intravenous sedatives, narcotic analgesics, or general anesthesia. Over the years, numerous patients who previously had liposuction with general anesthesia have had second treatments with tumescent liposuction. Virtually every one of these patients has found tumescent liposuction to be less painful, to provide better results and to result in more rapid healing and recovery.