Tumescent Liposuction Seattle

Throughout life, fat accumulates in various areas of our bodies, creating what we consider to be an unattractive appearance. Typical fat-prone areas include: face, chin, neck, upper arms, abdomen, waist, and hips, inner and outer thighs, buttocks, and knees. Dieting, active lifestyle, and targeted exercise programs never seem to be enough to eliminate or sufficiently reduce the problem. Internationally recognized plastic surgeon, Dr. Javad Sajan, uses tumescent liposuction as a safe, effective, and highly accurate fat removal procedure for these patients.

Tumescent liposuction is one of the newer fat-removal options that has a reduced risk, facilitates faster healing, and produces superior results. What sets tumescent liposuction apart from traditional and other liposuction procedures is how anesthesia is achieved. Large volumes of a diluted local anesthetic (containing lidocaine) and dilute epinephrine (to shrink capillaries and reduce/prevent blood loss) are injected into the subcutaneous fat of the treatment site.

The term tumescent is Latin for "swollen" or "firm" and in this lipo procedure, it relates to the firmness or fullness of the treatment site created by the injected anesthetic. This unique solution produces a long-lasting local anesthesia of the treatment area.

Your tumescent liposuction will be completed in our state-licensed surgery center on an outpatient basis.

Only the treatment areas will be anesthetized and you will remain alert throughout the procedure.

Once the treatment site is completely anesthetized, Dr. Sajan will make a micro-incision and insert a very fine tube called a cannula (connected to a vacuum) into the fatty layer of the treatment site. He will move the cannula back and forth to draw the fat through the tube and into a sterile collection system and repeat these steps at each treatment site. Your procedure time will depend on the number of sites to be treated and the extent of fat removal done at each site.

The tumescent liposuction procedure offers these benefits to patients:

• It is minimally invasive.
• Only micro-incisions are used.
• Tumescent-based anesthesia generally wears off within 24 hours of treatment.
• Recovery is faster than with traditional liposuction.

You may be asked to wear a compression garment for a number of days following treatment. Dr. Sajan also may encourage you to drink plenty of water and electrolyte-based beverages (like sports drinks). Frequent mini-walks around your home or immediate environment can help speed your recovery. You should be able to return to a desk-based job in 2 – 6 days and to more vigorous activity in 3 – 4 weeks. You will be provided detailed recovery and follow-up information to help guide you with each step of your tumescent procedure.

Tumescent liposuction is considered a remarkably safe procedure that leaves the patient with few of the unpleasant side effects of general anesthesia and traditional liposuction. Results are quickly noticeable and the removal of fat is permanent. A positive outlook, healthy diet and appropriate activities will be the best follow-up support to the ongoing success of your tumescent liposuction procedure. Contact Dr. Sajan's office and book your consultation when you are ready to learn if tumescent liposuction may be appropriate for you.