Liposuction Breakthrough
Article published in Valley Scene Magazine - Los Angeles
www.valleyscenemagazine.com April 14, 2006
Liposuction is the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States with over 300,000 surgeries performed annually. Since its introduction in the 1970's, liposuction techniques have become more refined making the procedure safer, the results more predictable, and the recovery much faster. Two of the greatest advances in liposuction surgery have been the use of local anesthesia only and the development of microcannulas, small suction tubes.
Using local anesthesia in the area to be suctioned offers many advantages. The local anesthesia reduces bleeding, helps break up the fat for easier removal, and provides good pain control during the procedure and long lasting anesthesia afterwards allowing for a less painful recovery. Perhaps the biggest advantage of using local anesthesia only, though, is safety. No deaths have been reported from liposuction using local anesthesia only. Also, there is no postoperative nausea which can occur after general anesthesia. Despite these advantages, not all liposuction surgeons use the local anesthesia only technique. Some use local anesthesia combined with general sedation, but this technique does not match the strong safety record of using local anesthesia alone.
Fat is removed during liposuction with a tube, called a cannula. A cannula is a little metal tube with holes in it that is attached to a suction device. In the early days of liposuction, cannulas were large and removed fat easily but they were traumatic and produced irregularities and depressions. Over the years, cannulas have become smaller and smaller, and, at this time, some surgeons use microcannulas. These very small cannulas have the advantages of producing less trauma leading to a faster recovery and smoother results. Nowadays, recovery from liposuction using local anesthesia only and mirocannulas is usually about two days. Although large cannulas provide rapid fat removal, they are traumatic to the body. Some surgeons prefer large cannulas because they remove fat quickly. The downside to using large cannulas, though, is that there is an increased risk of irregularities and depressions, and there is increased trauma. Despite their small size, the same amount of fat is removed with a microcannula as with a large one.
Using local anesthesia only and microcannulas, liposuction has become much safer with smoother results and a fast recovery. Liposuction has followed the trend of other surgical procedures in medicine to becoming less invasive over the years. Just as gallbladder surgery can now be performed as an outpatient, liposuction surgery can now be done in a physician's office that is equipped appropriately. If you are considering liposuction, you owe it to yourself to learn more about liposuction using local anesthesia only and microcannulas.
Dr. Lawrence Osman, MD, can be contacted for a consultation or additional information at (818) 885-0455. 18546 Roscoe Blvd., Suite 306, Northridge.
Chin Liposculpture in Los Angeles | Liposculpture | Abdominal Liposculpture | Liposculpture FAQs | Liposuction Articles 1 | Liposuction Articles 2 | Cellulite
