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 DESCRIPTION: Liposuction is not an alternative to weight loss. It is for patients who have stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to diet and exercise. These problem areas are hereditary and tend to develop with increasing age.
The commonly treated problem areas in women include the lower abdomen, outer thighs, inner thighs, inner knees, hips, buttocks, waist, arms, and neck. Typical areas treated in men include the abdomen, waist ("love handles"), and neck.
 Localized accumulations of subcutaneous fat can be removed gently and painlessly through suction. Tumescent liposuction is a safe and painless procedure performed under local anesthesia.
Tumescent liposuction is performed entirely using tumescent local anesthesia, which means the patient is awake and comfortable throughout the entire procedure. The best candidate for tumescent liposuction is one who follows a regular diet and exercise program, is in good health, and is within 15 percent of his or her ideal body weight.
Patients who are overweight are not usually strong candidates for this liposuction, except for in their neck area. Some overweight individuals have successfully achieved cosmetic improvement and improved self-esteem from liposuction of the neck area.
SUCCESS RATE: This procedure has a very high success rate. The Journal of Dermatologic Surgery reported no significant complications following a study of over 15,000 patients who underwent tumescent liposuction by dermatologic surgeons, including Dr. Hanke.
TREATMENT TIME & RESULTS: Tumescent liposuction is an outpatient procedure that is performed in our licensed ambulatory surgery center. During the surgery, fat is removed using a tumescent local anesthetic solution that contains diluted lidocaine and epinephrine. Appropriate amounts of this solution are injected directly into the areas in need of treatment. Dr. Hanke then uses a small vacuum to remove the excess fat from both the deep and superficial layers. This technique, however, is not recommended for the removal of cellulite. Instead, the tumescent method allows Dr. Hanke to remove large amounts of fat uniformly with fewer complications.
AFTER CARE: Patients can expect the tumescent solution to drain from the treated area for the first 18 hours following surgery. Pads can be worn to absorb the solution. In addition, an elastic garment is worn for compression and healing. The compression garment should be worn both day and night for approximately seven days. It should then be worn overnight for another week or so.
This new, advanced technique results in constriction of blood vessels, which minimizes bleeding, bruising, and post-operative soreness. Most patients return to desk jobs in three to four days and physical exercise in seven days. Final results tend to require approximately six months' time, though many patients see a rapid improvement soon after their treatment. Touch-up treatments are occasionally necessary.
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