I fully understand your confusion. But it will not last much longer.
In the very early days of Suction Assisted Lipectomy or Lipoplasty (SAL), in the early 1970's, the suction tubes were pushed into the fatty areas and with a high vacuum the fat was pulled into the tubes and removed. The problem was that along with fat removal so was a considerable amount of blood. In those early days liposuction was not tumescent (note use of adjective) liposuction.
To correct the issue of blood lose and temporarily increase the target area of fat removal Tumescent Liposuction was introduced. This ingeniously simple technique involves the injection of the fatty areas with a solution of either Saline or Ringer's Lactate (both of which are used in IV fluids millions of times every day across the globe). The sheer act of inflating the fat results in pressures some of the blood out of the area so even if the vessels are cut by the suction and pulling - little blood is lost. The fluid also enlarges the target area and makes it easier to both push the tube through and to stay in the areas and depth the surgeon wants to stay in. In addition, the tumescent solution contains epinephrine (which cases blood vessel spasms - preventing further blood losses) and a local anesthetic - to reduce the amount of point operative pain.
So - WHY isn't it then called a SWELLING SOLUTION LIPOSUCTION?? Come on guys, why is it that foreign cars are sold by men with Italian accents or women with French accents? Why is it that to project sophistication commercials use announcers with English (Public School) accents?
Medicine is not different. We like to use either Latin or Greek words. So - In Latin - tumescere means to to begin to swell; Giving us the word - Tumescent -becoming swollen; swelling. Wow! Real fancy talk there, Doc!
To finally answer your questions, if your surgeon does not use tumescent liposuction these days, he is probably not doing the procedure properly. Tumescent liposuction is the way we all do Liposuction.
Taken a step further, be weary of anyone who advertises the fact that they actually use Tumescent liposuction as if it is a new technique. Would you necessarily be impressed enough to be operated on by a surgeon who was proudly advertised the fact that he washed his hands and used a sterile gown and gloves in the operating room??
Good Luck.
Peter A Aldea, MD
