Patients Say Advanced Liposuction Procedure Is Like A Day At The Beach (NAPSA)—Thanks to major advances in techniques and instruments, it’s not your mother’s liposuction anymore. Today’s procedure to remove unwanted body fat is a big improvement overliposuction surgeries of the past. In the last decade, significant strides in how liposuction using local tumescent anesthesia is performed have madeit one of the safest, most effective body con- motion. This powerful back and forth motion allows experts to sculpt excess fat in areas which were traditionally difficult to suction using manual techniques, such as the inner thighs, breasts and around thebelly button. “It was a day at the beach!” claimed Patricia G., who under- touring treatments currently available. Local tumescent anesthesia According to dermatologic surgeons, a revolutionary breakthrough was the development of the tumescent technique for local anesthesia—aless traumatic, gentler approach to removing localized pockets of excess fat. In liposuction with local tumescent anesthesia, large volumes of a solution are injected directly into the areas of excessive fatty deposits. The diluted solution contains a local anesthetic and tiny doses of adrenaline to shrink capillaries and minimizebloodloss. Byfilling the fatty layer with fluid, the fat cells become swollen and firm. This permits the skin surgery specialist to use smaller diameter cannulas (hollow tubes) to more easily penetrate and move beneath the surface of the skin. This, in turn, allows for the removal of both deep and superficial fat more efficiently with less discomfort, smaller incisions and improved cosmetic results. Liposuction with tumescent local anesthesia offers the advantages of fewer skin irregularities, less bleeding, reduced bruising @ New advances make liposuction a more effective and attractive option. and a speedy recovery. It is also designed to be performed in an outpatient surgical facility with the patient awake throughout the procedure. Additionally, potential complications from liposuction using general anesthesia in a hospital setting can be completely avoided. According to study results recently published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery, the risks associated with liposuction can usually be traced back to the use of multiple forms of anesthesia, combined drug effects, and complex, large volumeliposuction procedures typically performed in a hospital setting. Power-assisted instruments Another notable advance in liposuction surgery is the use of “powered”liposuction instruments which provide a morerefined, natural sculpting. One example is a mechanical cannula that removes fat tissue by a rapid reciprocating went power liposuction on her ankles, hips, buttocks, knees and abdomen in her dermatologic surgeon’s office. “I’ve had dental work that caused me moreanxiety,” she added. “Two days after the procedure, I was riding my bike. Three weeks after the procedure, all the bruising was gone, and I didn’t even have bruising in some places!” Consumersafety tips Whenconsidering a liposuction procedure, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) suggests the following: Check that the physician is a board-certified dermatologist and memberof the ASDS; Ask how manyliposuction cases he or she has performed; * Confirm that the procedure will be performed using local tumescent anesthesia in an office setting; and Avoid liposuction procedures that extract a large amountoffat or are combined with other surgeries or other types of anesthesia and sedation. For more information on lipo- suction and to locate a qualified dermatologic surgeon in your area, log onto www.aboutskin surgery.org or call the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery at 1-800-441-2737.
