Liposuction
Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Long Beach, CA
Liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery that permanently removes unwanted fat. Today’s liposuction procedures include the use of a specialized solution known as tumescent fluid. This makes fat easier to remove. It also improves safety and comfort as the fat is suctioned away with a cannula, a long slender tube. Tumescent liposuction is considered the gold standard of liposuction methods. (1) Similarly, with new developments in liposuction like SmartLipo and micro liposuction, you can not only say goodbye to stubborn fat but also get even more accurate results for the ideal contour.
If you’re unhappy with hard-to-shift fat deposits in areas like your thighs, flanks, or abdomen, and diet and exercise haven’t made a difference, liposuction can help. A simple, minimally-invasive liposuction procedure targets specific areas of unwanted fat for a more sculpted body and a boost of confidence as well!
Dr. Aram Bonni is an experienced surgeon who specializes in urogynecology, pelvic surgery, and cosmetic surgery. Thanks to his expertise and skill in using advanced liposuction techniques, patients experience fewer side effects, less post-surgical pain, and beautifully sculpted results. If you are interested in learning how tumescent liposuction can help you attain your aesthetic goals, contact our offices in Westwood, Beverly Hills, or Long Beach today by calling (657) 888-3008, or by filling out our online contact form.
Contents
Before & After
About Tumescent Liposuction
Liposuction was originally developed in Europe in the late 1970’s. At first, it was performed without using the addition of fluid to the treatment area, which is known as the “dry” technique. However, in all cases, this required general anesthesia, and resulted in a large amount of blood loss. As techniques continued to be developed and improved, Dr. Jeffrey Klein, a dermatologist in California, introduced the tumescent technique.
“Tumescent” refers to the swollen effect that is caused by the solution, which is injected into the area with fat that is to be removed. (2) The solution causes fat cells to balloon, and shrinks it’s blood supply making them easier to remove. More fat and less blood is suctioned in this manner.
Tumescent fluid contains:
- Saline: causes fat tissue to swell.
- Epinephrine: acts as a vasoconstrictor, narrowing blood vessels to reduce blood loss.
- Lidocaine: a local anesthetic, which numbs the treatment area, and continues to keep patients comfortable once their procedure is complete.
Micro Liposuction
Micro liposuction is a finely-tuned fat removal technique that uses a much slimmer cannula than standard liposuction. It is most commonly used on more delicate areas of the body such as the jowls and neckline. A slender tube is attached to the vacuum pump that provides constant suction in the treatment area. The small size of the microcannula removes fat cells while causing less trauma to the surrounding skin and tissues, and this means only small incisions are needed. Thanks to the benefits of tumescent fluid, the procedure can be performed using local anesthesia.
What is Smart Lipo?
SmartLipo is a technique that simultaneously removes fat and tightens the surrounding skin. Also known as laser lipolysis, it uses laser-assisted technology to liquefy fat, and promote skin tightening during recovery. In addition, research shows that SmartLipo coagulates small blood vessels in the area of treatment, and boosts new collagen production. (3) This means many patients who undergo a SmartLipo procedure experience a fast, straightforward recovery with smoother, tighter results.
PAL
Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) is a form of liposuction that uses a high-speed rotating cannula to break up fat deposits and makes them easier to remove. Like other forms of liposuction, tumescent fluid is used, and the cannula is connected to a vacuum device that removes fat from the body. PAL is a safe and effective alternative, as it is gentler on the body and can be performed under local anesthetic. The procedure is ideal for those wanting to remove stubborn fat from areas such as the abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, and arms. It also reduces the risk of complications, such as scarring, tissue damage, and infection.
Benefits of Tumescent Liposuction
- Enables the use of a smaller cannula
- No sutures required
- Local anesthesia
- Lower cost
- Outpatient procedure
- Low complication rate
- Minimal blood loss
- Can remove up to 5 liters of fat
- Three to four-hour procedure
Candidates
Tumescent liposuction is a great choice for patients with hard-to-lose fat and minimal skin redundancy (excess skin). So if you’ve worked hard to achieve a slimmer contour, but you can’t shift some remaining areas of fat, a liposuction procedure could make a real difference! Procedures are minimally-invasive, so you can achieve great results with shorter recovery times than procedures like abdominoplasty, which requires a much larger incision. You may be a good candidate for tumescent liposuction if you:
- Want to remove fat permanently
- Are in good overall health
- Have supple skin with good elasticity in the treatment area
- Do not have any serious medical conditions
- Have a positive attitude about the process and recovery
- Have realistic expectations of what liposuction can achieve for you
Tumescent liposuction is not a good fit if:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have severe cardiovascular disease
- You have a severe blood clotting disorder (such as thrombophilia)
Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure only, not a weight-loss surgery. You can discuss your needs with Dr. Bonni at your personal consultation to see if a liposuction procedure is the right choice for you.
Personal Consultation
Dr. Bonni is a board-certified surgeon who has helped many patients achieve bodies that inspire renewed self-esteem. Tumescent liposuction offers patients an effective fat removal alternative with more accurate aspiration, a faster recovery period, and minimal blood loss as compared to conventional liposuction. At your consultation, we will discuss your goals for liposuction, your medical history, and what to expect from your procedure. We will also provide before and after images of Dr. Bonni’s prior patients, to give you a visual idea of what you can expect. If you are ready to remove fat permanently and achieve a beautiful silhouette, contact our Los Angeles or Long Beach offices today at (657) 888-3008. Learn more about our life-enhancing work on our blog!
Preparation
Successful preparation for a tumescent liposuction procedure requires careful observation of guidelines. Please follow these instructions closely to ensure the best results possible for your procedure. To prepare for your procedure, you should:
- Discuss your medical history which includes past surgical procedures, allergies, current and past medical issues, medications, and supplements.
- Three weeks prior to surgery, avoid blood thinning medications. This includes stopping NSAIDS like aspirin and ibuprofen, and supplements containing ginkgo biloba, Vitamin E, and other blood-thinning supplements.
- Two weeks before surgery, quit smoking.
- Fast the night before surgery (no food or drink after midnight)
- Pre-arrange a ride to and from our office with a trusted friend or family member
Procedure
The time it takes to complete tumescent liposuction varies depending on the patient. In most cases, it is usually three to four hours. It requires a two-step process, injection of the tumescent fluid and aspiration of the fat.
Step 1: Injection of Tumescent Solution
After administering anesthesia, Dr. Bonni will make a number of small incisions on the treatment sites. The tumescent solution will be injected through the incisions underneath the skin into the fat.
Your surgeon will allow the solution to settle for maximum effect, around 30 to 60 minutes. The solution is dispersed throughout all subcutaneous layers–this process is called detumescence. (1) Step 2: Fat Aspiration
Dr. Bonni will dislodge fat from the treatment area with a microcannula and suction it away. This process will take about 1 ½ hours to 3 hours depending on the amount and location of excessive fat. The incision wounds are left open for the solution to drain, with some remaining in the tissues to drain in the following days and provide anesthetic benefits to reduce discomfort with recovery. To finish, Dr. Bonni will apply dressings and compression garments and the patient will be released. Sutures are not required for tumescent liposuction
Recovery
After your liposuction procedure, you may experience bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort. Most swelling will have subsided after two weeks, and should resolve fully after about three months. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication to reduce initial discomfort. You should wear your compression garment throughout the day–for 24 hours–for the first few days after your procedure.
The compression garment will help to reduce swelling and aid in healing with the desired contours. Most patients can return to work one to three days after the procedure, though recovery may take up to one week for some.
Results
Patients often note improvement immediately after the procedure, with results settling in within a few days as fluid drains and swelling begins to subside. Over the subsequent 4 to 6 weeks, damaged fat cells will be naturally eliminated from the body to reveal sleeker results. (1) Full results will settle in about 6 to 12 weeks after the tumescent liposuction procedure. (1)
Upkeep will require maintaining a healthy lifestyle with health-conscious diet and exercise habits. We will also schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.
Cost of Tumescent Liposuction in Los Angeles
Like any type of liposuction, tumescent liposuction is considered an elective cosmetic procedure. Therefore, this procedure won’t be covered by an insurance provider. Medical testing for clearance, facility fees, and the areas and extent of treatment will all factor into the final cost of your liposuction surgery. We will be glad to discuss financing possibilities during a personal one-on-one consultation.
FAQ
What is the history of tumescent liposuction?
Tumescent liposuction was introduced in 1986 by Dr. Jeffrey A. Klein, M.D., a California-based dermatologist. The tumescent technique helped to revolutionize liposuction by developing a method that dramatically reduced blood loss, a common issue of liposuction at the time which often required hospitalization and blood transfusion. Tumescent liposuction allows for liposuction using only local anesthesia, which reduces recovery time; is less painful; and produces more accurate results.
How much blood do patients actually lose during this procedure?
Patients lose no more than 30 to 50 milliliters of blood in large-volume liposuction. (1) This is only about 2 to 3 tablespoons of blood, and comparable to the amount of blood that may be drawn during preoperative lab tests.
References
- Venkataram J. Tumescent liposuction: a review. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2008 Jul;1(2):49-57. doi: 10.4103/0974-2077.44159. Sood J, Jayaraman L, Sethi N.
- Liposuction: Anaesthesia challenges. Indian J Anaesth. 2011 May;55(3):220-7. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.82652. PMID: 21808392; PMCID: PMC3141144.
- McBean, J. C., & Katz, B. E. (2011). Laser Lipolysis: An Update. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 4(7), 25–34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140909/