What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure which physically removes fat cells from the body. Fat is removed from deposits deep below the skin using a combination of to and fro movements of fine stainless steel tubes, called cannulas, assisted by suction.

How is liposculpture different ?

Liposculpture refers to the use of liposuction to sculpt the body and achieve a more desirable silhouette. It is used interchangeably with the term liposuction where the emphasis of the procedure is on improving body contour rather than simply removing fat.

Liposuction can be performed under local or general anaesthestic. At Liposuction Auckland we have the advantage of being able to offer both options thereby tailoring the procedure to your specific needs.

Liposuction under local anaesthetic is also called “Tumescent Liposuction”

This procedure was developed by American Dermatologist Dr Jeffery Klein in 1985 to improve patient safety, avoid the risks and recovery associated with a general anaesthetic and allow more accurate fat removal resulting in a sculpting of the body.

How is Tumescent Liposuction performed?

Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area being treated. Tiny holes are then made in the skin and a fine hollow stainless steel tube called a cannula is gently inserted into the fatty tissues between the skin and the muscle. A warm dilute anaesthetic solution is then gently instilled which makes the fat and its surrounding tissues become numb, swollen and tense or “tumescent”.

Careful placement of the cannula into the fat layers is done slowly and gently minimising discomfort, which is usually mild and well tolerated. Additional pain relief and/or sedation is available if required during the procedure. However in our experience, this is rarely necessary.

You will be awake for the procedure but are given pain relief and a sedative beforehand to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. You can also bring music to listen to via headphones during the surgery. The area being operated on will be screened off so you do not have to see the procedure being performed. A change in position is usually required during the procedure to enable more accurate contouring of the area being treated. However, a nurse will help you change position when this is needed.

Once the area is completely numb, a different type of cannula called a micro-cannula is used to remove the fat using a to and fro motion assisted by suction. These micro-cannulas are specifically designed for the tumescent technique and require less force to advance into the fatty tissues permitting a more delicate, gentle and accurate approach to liposuction. Multiple small intersecting tunnels are created in the fat which then collapse following the procedure, reducing the volume of the treated area.

There is very little bleeding with the tumescent technique. A medication called “adrenaline” is added to the local anaesthetic solution to constrict the blood vessels in the fat minimising blood loss. The tiny holes made to facilitate liposuction are left open to drain the residual fluid so very little blood remains under the skin. Therefore any bruising, swelling and tenderness is minimised.

Local anaesthesia persists in the treated area for more than 12 hours so there is minimal pain after the surgery. The majority of patients require only paracetamol for postoperative discomfort.

Liposuction under general anaesthesia

If you choose liposuction under a general anaesthetic an Anaesthetist will ensure you are deeply asleep and have no awareness of the procedure. A dilute solution of local anaesthetic is used but less than what would be required for tumescent liposuction. The fat is removed the same way as it is with tumescent liposuction using different cannulas. However as you are deeply asleep it is more difficult to accurately sculpt the areas being treated.

The advantages of this technique is that there is no discomfort during the procedure itself and potentially larger areas can be treated in one session. However the post-procedure discomfort and recovery time is greater than with the tumescent technique. The additional personnel, equipment, anaesthetic drugs and post-procedure monitoring also increase the cost of the procedure.

- mild discomfort inserting local anaesthetic
+ ability to accurately contour areas
- limit to the number of areas treated
+ minimal pain post procedure
+ mild bruising following the procedure
+ discharge 1-2 hours after the procedure
+ short recovery time (3-5 days)
+ no additional personnel/anaesthetic drugs required

+ no pain during the procedure
- more difficult to accurately contour areas
+ larger areas can be treated in one session
- moderate pain post procedure
- moderate bruising following the procedure
- usually requires overnight stay
- longer recovery time (7-10 days)
- additional cost

What can be achieved with Tumescent Liposuction?

Tumescent liposuction combines an artistic element with scientific techniques to improve body contour so people feel confident with their body shape and what they see in the mirror.

As some fat is essential to ensure a smooth contour of the skin, it is the fat which remains helps determine the final results. Removing too much fat can create contour irregularities and does not give natural results. The amount of fat which can be removed from an area varies between individuals and is influenced by the proportion of fibrous supporting tissue around the fat cells. We aim for a 50% reduction of fat and above all, results which appear natural.

About Liposuction