Liposuction (Body Contouring)
Tumescent Liposuction
Liposuction was first developed in the 1970s to remove undesired fat from nearly all body areas, including the face, neck, chin, breast, abdomen, hips, flanks (love handles), inner and outer thighs, knees and ankles. The original procedure used large instruments, general anesthesia, and had significant complications.
The Safe Method of Liposuction
Several years ago, a dermatologic surgeon, Jeffrey Klein, M.D., developed a major advancement called the tumescent technique of liposuction which completely revolutionized the procedure. Tumescent liposuction allows us to safely and effectively remove deep and superficial layers of fat under local anesthesia with relatively little discomfort, virtually no complications and improved cosmetic results.
Dr. Peppercorn and Dr. Cox trained in tumescent technique (featured on ABC-TV 20/20 and other media programs) from the master himself, Dr. Klein. After working side by side with Dr. Klein in his operating room, they were certified to perform this modern liposuction procedure.
With tumescent liposuction, large volumes of a solution containing dilute lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and dilute epinephrine (a drug to shrink capillaries and prevent blood loss) are injected with minimal discomfort directly into areas of excessive fatty deposits. Once the liquid is injected, tiny incisions are made in the skin, and a tube (called a cannula) connected to a vacuum is inserted into the fatty layer. The new liposuction uses straw-like cannulas that are almost as small as needles. Using to and from movements, the fat is drawn through the cannula into a collection system. The tumescent method enables our cosmetic surgeons to remove large amounts of fat uniformly with fewer skin irregularities and less bleeding and bruising. An elastic compression garment is worn for four to six days after the procedure which helps to speed healing.
The local anesthesia injected into the tissue remains for 18 to 24 hours following liposuction surgery, greatly minimizing postoperative pain. After tumescent liposuction, patients are usually alert and able to function without nausea, grogginess, and the "washed out" feeling associated with general anesthesia. Our patients usually return to desk jobs within 48 hours; physical exercise can generally be resumed in six to seven days.
Liposuction is not intended as a method for weight loss. It is used as a shaping procedure for areas where hereditary fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise have accumulated. It is not intended as a substitute for weight loss programs, but rather as a contouring technique. Although a solid exercise program and good diet can ensure that the treatment will create the best results, overweight patients with specific problem areas can also be good candidates for the procedure. The best results from liposuction occur in body areas where there is reasonable muscle tone, where skin has good elastic quality, and where fat is not excessive. Our most popular areas of treatment for tumescent liposuction include: