How is Leg Liposuction Performed?
Liposuction is a technique used to extract excessive fatty tissue. This excess fat is suctioned out from beneath the skin. Prior to your surgery, doctors will flush the targeted area leg area with an injection made of lidocaine (local anesthetic), saline, and epinephrine (reduces bleeding).
Next the doctors insert a tube like instrument known as the cannula through incisions cut in strategic locations in your skin. The wand is pushed and pulled around under the skin and its sharp edges break the fat cells apart. The wand also contains a vacuum which slurps up the newly freed fat cells and tissue. There are several liposuction techniques used today and the quantity of injected fluid determines the technique used.
The most popular method used today is known as the “tumescent” liposuction technique. Your doctor will inject up to five times as much fluid as they plan to remove. Since the injected fluids large amounts of lidocaine, tumescent liposuction is generally performed with only a local anesthetic.
Some advanced doctors are offer a modified version of tumescent liposuction using an ultrasonic probe which aids in quickly breaking up the fat.
