Risks of any Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, Tumescent Liposculpture is associated with certain common side-effects such as bruising, swelling and temporary numbness.  Although, irregularities of the skin are possible following liposculpture, this side effect is minimized by the Tumescent Technique.  Because we use minimally invasive micro cannulas, noticeable irregularities are very rare.

Due to the slow resolution of post surgical swelling the ultimate results following Tumescent Liposculpture usually require 12 to 16 weeks to become fully apparent.  Nevertheless, patients can usually see dramatic improvements within two to four weeks after surgery.

Although the results of Tumescent Liposculpture are often quiet spectacular, it is not realistic to expect perfection.  Liposculpture of the thighs, while improving the silhouette, does not necessarily eliminate the subtle (puckering) of the skin that is often referred to as “cellulite.”  Liposculpture with the Tumescent Technique does reduce the degree of cellulite but it is unlikely to eliminate it. 

As judged by current world wide experience, Tumescent Liposculpture is amazingly safe.  To the best of our knowledge, there has never been any reported serious complication using the Tumescent Technique for liposculpture totally by local anesthesia. 

Rare problems that can potentially occur with any surgical procedure include: infections, bleeding, and nerve injury.  The Tumescent Technique minimizes these risks.

Decreased Risks of Infection with Tumescent Technique
Infections are extremely rare, irrespective of whether or not the anesthetic technique is that of general anesthesia or local anesthesia.  Although there have been reports in the medical literature of patients who have had serious infections following liposculpture surgery, to the best of our knowledge, there has never been any patients who have had a serious infection following liposuction totally by local anesthesia using the Tumescent Technique.  Lidocaine, the local anesthetic that is used for the Tumescent Technique, kills bacteria.  With the Tumescent Technique the areas that are being treated surgically are exactly the areas that receive the local anesthetic that kills bacteria.

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Quick Return to Normal Activities
By not using stitches to close incision sites there is acceleration in the rate of healing.  Open incision sites permit drainage of the slightly blood tinged anesthetic solution.  This has had a dramatic effect in minimizing bruising.  Most patients now notice that bruising is almost entirely absent one week after surgery.

Because the Tumescent Technique eliminates bleeding and the residual anesthetic solution drains out so quickly there is less inflammation and the healing process is significantly accelerated.

Due to the significant decrease in swelling, inflammation and pain after the surgery patients are able to return to normal physical activities very soon after surgery.  There is no limitation to physical activity other than what common sense would dictate.  Some patients are able to return to jogging, golf, and light aerobic exercise within a day or two after surgery.  Some patients do find the soreness after surgery more significant than others, but on the average most patients are quite surprised at how quickly they are able to return to normal activity.  Most patients take extra strength Tylenol for pain.

Which Specialists Perform Tumescent Liposculpture?
Tumescent Liposculpture is a type of surgery that is appropriately performed by surgeons from several different specialties.  The specialists who most commonly perform liposculpture are dermatologic surgeons (dermatologists), cosmetic surgeons, general surgeons, and plastic surgeons.

Interestingly, it was a dermatologic cosmetic surgeon that brought liposuction to the United States and a dermatologic surgeon that developed the safest, most minimally invasive technique of liposculpture.  Dr. Bailey was personally trained by the inventor of the Tumescent Technique, cosmetic dermatologic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey A. Klein.

Why Don't All Surgeons use the Tumescent Techinque?
True Tumescent Liposculpture is not currently taught in surgical residency.  This procedure, like most cosmetic surgical procedures, is learned after residency training.

To view before and after images of Liposculpture patients, please click here.

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