Liposuction
Types of Liposuction Surgeries in New York
What is Liposuction with the Tumescent Technique?
The most significant refinement in liposuction over the last decade has probably been the development of the Tumescent Technique. The tumescent technique of liposuction involves the injection of relatively large volumes of a saline solution containing dilute local anesthesia and adrenaline into the fatty tissues, thus forming a safety cushion on which the cannulas can slide. More importantly, these elements contribute to the loosening of bonds between the fatty cells, thereby facilitating their removal. As a result of the adrenaline there is a decrease in the bleeding from blood vessels thus allowing us to remove larger quantities of fat more safely. Less bleeding also means less bruising. The infiltration of large volumes of dilute anesthesia also allows the procedure to be performed under local anesthesia with or without sedation if desired.
What is Ultrasonic Liposuction?
More recently, newer liposuction instruments have been approved and used. One of latest is the new ultrasonic liposuction device. Since its inception, Ultrasonic liposuction has been changing rapidly and new news comes out every month. Some news is good; unfortunately some news is not so good. Ultrasonic means high pitched sound and this property has already been in use outside the operating room in "shaking things loose" as in the new ultrasonic toothbrushes. The ultrasonic principle is to loosen the fat so that the fat can be vacuumed out of the body faster than it might with other methods. Unfortunately as a result of the high frequency generated by these instruments (20,000Hz), the ultrasonic cannulas used may overheat and there have been a number of reports of burns to patients. Recently ultrasonic cannulas have, in inexperienced hands, even perforated patient's kidneys and gallbladders.
Ultrasonic liposuction also results in more seroma formation than other methods. Seromas are collections of fluid, which are made in the tissues as a response to injury.
Finally, the ultrasonic cannula presently available are rather bulky and cumbersome and cannot be bent to customize the approach. On the plus side however there have been reports which say that it is better in removing fatty areas which have a high content of dense tissue as well(such as breast tissue in the male chest). Allegedly it is also safer in the removal of very large amounts of fat (20 litres plus!) because of less bleeding.
What is Power Assisted Liposuction?
The cannulas used to remove the fat in this technique are of a conventional type. The difference lies with the Micro Aire power handle which allows the cannula to be mechanically as opposed to manually driven. The results are a vibrating cannula with a frequency of about 100 times a second (much lower frequency and heat generation than the Ultrasonic device) which progresses through the fatty tissue which much more ease. In doing so, this also allows the surgeon to channel his efforts and concentration into sculpting the treated area much more reliably and efficiently, rather than expending his energy into manually pushing the cannulas back and forth. This technique can be used to great benefit in all areas of the body. Power assisted Lipoplasty is especially of benefit in male patients who desire reduction of their chest. In these patients, the nature of their firm, dense breasts, makes the improved penetration of the Micro-aire power handle an asset.