Water Assisted Liposuction
Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery that removes fatty tissue from the body through a gentle suction mechanism. This reduces the volume of problematic parts of the body such as the hips, thighs, buttocks, and abs. Those who undergo liposuction procedures are able to realize more defined and proportionate bodily contours by directly targeting these stubborn and problematic areas that do not seem to respond to dieting or exercise. Liposuction can significantly improve one’s sense of self-confidence and improve the way their silhouette looks.
Water assisted liposuction is one of the most popular forms of lipo. It involves the injection of large volumes of a water-based solution containing lidocaine, an anesthetic. This fluid breaks apart the fat cells for easier removal while numbing the tissues.
Are you a good candidate?
Most candidates for liposuction are 30 to 60 years old and in good overall health. The ideal candidate should have some degree of skin elasticity remaining, so that the body will be able to adapt to the altered bodily contours. As with any other cosmetic procedure, you may not be qualified for liposuction if you suffer from any serious medical conditions.
If you are less than 30 pounds over your ideal body weight, then you might be an excellent candidate for water assisted liposuction. Surgeons advise prospective patients not to turn to liposuction as a short cut to weight loss, but as a way of sculpting the body to create a more attractive figure. If you have specific areas of the body you wish to focus on, liposuction can be an excellent spot reduction method. Your goal should be remove no more than 5 pounds of fat during a liposuction procedure.
Water Assisted Liposuction Procedure
Most liposuction procedures are classified as water assisted, or tumescent. This refers to the injection of fluids into the fatty tissue to prepare it for suctioned siphoned out of the body. During liposuction, a small, stainless steel tube known as a cannula is inserted into the targeted layer of fat you want to remove. A liquid solution comprised of saline (salt water) and anesthetic is administered through this tube into the fat. This fluid numbs the surrounding tissue while breaking the fat down into smaller particles, in order to facilitate its removal.
At the other end of the tube is a device that is responsible for generating a slight suction force. The surgeon will move the tube around underneath your skin to suck up the fat that has been loosened by the liquid solution. Liposuction can take anywhere from one to five hours, depending on the amount of fat that needs to be removed.
Complications & Risks
Water assisted liposuction techniques pose few potential complications. However, that is not to say that complications cannot occur. Two common risks that are specific to water assisted liposuction include fluid accumulation and lidocaine toxicity. Lidocaine toxicity refers to the presence of too much lidocaine in the tumescent solution, which hinders your body’s ability to efficiently metabolize the drug. If an excessive amount of the solution is injected into the area targeted for treatment, fluid could build up in the lungs. As with all liposuction procedures, there are risks, such as a bumpy or uneven post-surgery appearance, that you should be aware of before the procedure.
Recovery Time
Recovery periods for liposuction are relatively short compared to other types of surgeries. Many liposuction patients feel able to return to work in as few as 48 hours after the procedure, while others take a week away from work to heal. During this time, some soreness and bruising can be expected. For the first couple of weeks after the surgery, patients will typically wear a compression garment over the affected area of the body to help provide support to the skin as it adjusts to your body’s new shape. The desired results of the liposuction procedure will become visibly apparent within about a week as side effects dissipate.
Water Assisted Liposuction Cost
The cost of liposuction surgery fluctuates widely, from as low as $2,000 to as high as $10,000. The actual price is dependent upon a number of factors, such as the size of the area being treated, the amount of fat being removed, and the skill level and experience of the surgeon performing the procedure. Generally speaking, tumescent or water assisted liposuction is much more cost effective and affordable than the more complex and high-tech forms of liposuction procedures such as those involving ultrasound waves or lasers that facilitate the breakdown and removal of fat.