Over the years, various liposuction techniques have been developed. Some types of liposuction are better suited for particular types of treatments while others have been simply replaced by newer, safer methods.
The most basic definition of liposuction is the removal of fatty tissue by using a suction device. The different types of liposuction can be categorized by the fluid injection or by the suction mechanism.
Types of Fluid Injection
Dry Liposuction – This is an outdated method that is rarely used anymore. It is called the “dry” technique because no fluid is injected into the patient.
Wet Liposuction - Before the fat removal process begins, there is an injection of fluid containing lidocaine as the local anesthetic and adrenaline to minimize bleeding. The amount of fluid injected is less than the volume of the fat that will be removed.
Super-wet Liposuction – This is a commonly used technique for liposuction procedures where a greater amount of fat is to be removed. In super-wet liposuction the amount of fluid injected is equal to the volume of the fat being removed.
Tumescent Liposuction - A high volume of fluid is injected into the patient containing a local anesthetic and lidocaine and epinephrine. This is a popular technique and commonly used in most instances. It is often used in conjunction with popular assistive techniques such as laser assisted liposuction (LAL) or ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL)
Types of Liposuction Mechanisms
Suction-assisted Liposuction - The most typical method and commonly associated with traditional liposuction. A small cannula (the suction tube) is moved back and forth through the fat to break up the fat cells as a vacuum device suctions the fat from the body.
Power-assisted Liposuction - Similar to suction-assisted liposuction but instead of requiring the surgeon to move the cannula back and forth, the movement is mechanized.
Ultrasound-assisted Liposuction - In this technique, the principle remains the same but the cannula is special in that it emits an ultrasonic vibration which helps burst the fat cells to liquefy the fat. It is ideal for areas of the body where the fat cells might be more fibrous and tougher to break and remove.
Laser-assisted Liposuction - This technique involves a special cannula that is also attached to a fiber optic which guides a laser pulse that generates thermal heat to literally melt the fat in the surrounding area. This makes the fat easier to remove.
Water-assisted Liposuction - This is still a relatively new technique and is has not yet been widely adopted by most surgeons. It relies on a thin fan-shaped water beam to break up and fatty tissue to be removed by the cannula.
As with any plastic surgery procedure there are risks involved. Popular techniques like laser liposuction come in many varieties differentiated by their patented trade names. It is important as a patient to consult with a variety of plastic surgeons to get a range of advice before making a final decision. Some plastic surgeons are more experienced in one technique over another while some surgeons are biased toward their expertise. It is important to consider your desired goals and expectations from the surgery.
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