Liposuction Techniques

There are a very large variety of liposuction techniques. Not all of these are considered safe or appropriate and the procedure itself is constantly being refined. The liposuction techniques available in Mexico are generally the same as those in the US and your plastic surgeon will go through each one with you to work out which is best for the body area you want treated.
Here are some of the more common ones used today categorised by the amount of fluid injected and the liposuction mechanism:
AMOUNT OF FLUID INJECTED
Tumescent Liposuction
A large volume of diluted local anaesthetic and epinephrine (capillary constrictor) is injected into the fat deposit making it swollen and firm. A general anaesthetic is not required and the whole process is therefore much safer. Fluid is also provided to the body thus eliminating the need for traditional IV fluids.
Dry Liposuction
Dry liposuction was the earliest form of liposuction but is not used anymore because it was considered too dangerous and often resulted in many complications. The name came from the fact that no liquids were inserted into the body during the liposuction procedure.
Wet Liposuction
A small amount of fluid (less than the amount of fat to be removed) is injected into the area. Wet liposuction requires general anaesthetic. It is slightly safer than dry liposuction but still results in significant amounts of blood loss.
Super Wet Liposuction
In super wet liposuction, the amount of fluid injected into the fat deposit is equal to the amount of fat to be removed. This is still less than half of the amount used in tumescent liposuction. General anaesthetic is required for super wet liposuction.
Laser Assisted Liposuction
This is a relatively new technique that uses thermal and photomechanical energy to affect the lipolysis. It is also known as laser lipolysis or liposculpture and may or may not involve suction. A laser basically melts the fat which is then drained or suctioned away. Laser assisted liposuction is thought to be safer and gentler than other liposuction techniques.
LIPOSUCTION MECHANISM
Suction Assisted Liposuction
This is the standard liposuction technique and involves the insertion of a cannula or microcannula into a small incision above the fat deposit. The surgeon uses these to break up the fat cells and then suction them out using the aspirator.
Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction
The cannula used in this liposuction technique transmits ultrasound vibrations into the fat cells thus liquefying them before suctioning out. Ultrasound assisted liposuction is particularly useful for fibrous fat deposits.
Power Assisted Liposuction
This is much like ultrasound assisted liposuction but uses a special cannula with mechanised movement so that the surgeon doesn’t have to manually break up the fat cells as much.
Twin Cannula Assisted Liposuction
The cannula used in this liposuction technique is actually two cannula’s – one within the other. The inner cannula does the suction while the outer cannula prevents friction burns by not allowing heat to get through.
External Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction
This liposuction technique requires the application of an external ultrasound to break up the fat cells before being removed by a regular cannula. External ultrasound assisted liposuction is a fairly new technique and studies are still being carried out.
Water Assisted Liposuction
A pressurised jet of saline solution is used to dislodge the fat in this liposuction technique. The fat cells are not destroyed but gently removed by suctioning along with the water used. Recovery from water assisted liposuction is relatively fast and painless and general anaesthetic is not used making it safer.

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