Indianapolis Institute for Plastic Surgery

Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction:

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure which allows us to remove localized areas of fat and smooth overall contours of the body. Several advances have been responsible for the evolution of Liposuction techniques over the past several years. The first of these involve the use of smaller cannulas, which allow more accurate suctioning ability and decrease the chance of subsequent irregularities of the tissue. This improved the results that were obtainable with the traditional types of Liposuction by decreasing complications associated with the larger cannulas of the past and by allowing smaller incisions. As plastic surgeons learned more about Liposuction techniques, the importance of "cross-suctioning" became obvious and results were further enhanced.


UAL		Traditional

The jar on the left is fat from an Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction, while the jar on the right is fat from a Traditional Liposuction.

Probably the most revolutionary advance, however, was the introduction of the tumescent technique. Although often referred to as the "new liposuction," this has been commonly used for several years and is almost exclusively used as the technique of choice by most plastic surgeons. This procedure involves the injection of local anesthetic in solution, which causes a contraction of the blood vessels and significantly decreased blood loss associated with Liposuction. Even with very large volume Liposuction, it is now possible to avoid blood transfusions for patients. The local anesthesia, or numbing agent, also has allowed surgeons to perform Liposuction without general anesthesia. Patients can remain comfortable throughout the procedure but often have less nausea and drowsiness afterwards because of the lighter anesthesia. The tumescent technique decreases the recovery time and, in addition, significantly improves the smoothness of the result and decreases bruising and discomfort after Liposuction.

With the smaller cannulas and the tumescent technique, Liposuction has become a much less traumatic procedure, and many patients are able to return to a low level of activity within a few days. Although most patients are encouraged to take a week off normal activity, many are able to return to work, depending on the type of job at which they are employed, within five or seven or ten days. Most patients take 7-10 days off work depending on the amount of Liposuction planned. Roughly 30% of the swelling is gone in the first week, approximately 75% will be gone by the end of the second week, and after six weeks essentially all of the swelling has resolved. Patients are asked to wear an elastic garment much like a girdle for at least six weeks to decrease swelling and improve contouring during the healing phase. Aerobic exercise activity can be resumed after two or three weeks.