Am I a Good Candidate For Tumescent Liposuction?

Tumescent liposuction offers the same fat removal and body contouring results as traditional liposuction — without the associated risks. Best of all, this revolutionary method doesn’t require general anesthesia and promotes faster recovery.  

Jeffrey Klein, MD, and Dr. Norma Kassardjian offer tumescent liposuction at HK Dermatology in San Juan Capistrano, California — which makes sense since Dr. Klein is the inventor of the technique. He’s been perfecting it since the late 1980s and has trained thousands of surgeons around the world.

At HK Dermatology, we perform tumescent liposuction as an outpatient procedure in our state-of-the-art surgical suites. Our technique uses tiny micro-cannulas, meaning you have smaller scars, and you return home within a few hours after your treatment.   

Tumescent liposuction isn’t for everyone, however. Keep reading to learn more about this revolutionary surgical technique.  

How tumescent liposuction works

The tumescent liposuction procedure gets its name because of the way the solution causes the tissues to swell, making fat removal easier. The procedure involves the injectionion of a solution local anesthesia, saline, and epinephrine, which causes profound numbness, vasoconstriction and virtually no pain or blood loss. 

After injecting the solution, Dr. Klein makes a tiny incision and inserts a micro-tube to remove the excess fat from the treatment area. Once he finishes contouring your body, you’re wrapped in an elastic compression garment to promote healing. 

The local anesthetic lasts the rest of the day, helping minimize post-procedure pain. Most people manage any discomfort after this with over-the-counter medication. 

You’re encouraged to walk and move soon after your treatment and can typically resume exercise after a week. The swelling improves quickly after a few days, but it can take 3-4 months to fully resolve and your maximum results to appear. 

Benefits of tumescent liposuction

Tumescent liposuction offers several advantages compared to traditional liposuction, including:

• None of the risks associated with general anesthesia
• Less blood loss
• The solution triggers vasoconstriction, minimizing bruising and swelling
• Less post-procedure pain
• Can safely remove fat from almost any body part

In addition, people tend to recover faster after tumescent liposuction compared to traditional liposuction, with most returning to work within three days.  

Good candidates for tumescent liposuction

The best way to learn if you’re an optimal candidate for tumescent liposuction is by meeting with an expert, like the dermatological surgeons at HK Dermatology. Our team discusses your medical history, overall health, and reviews your goals to recommend the right treatment for you.

Generally, good candidates for tumescent liposuction:

• Are within 30% of their ideal body weight
• Have smaller amounts of fat to be removed (< 5 liters)
• Have good skin elasticity and muscle tone
• Are nonsmokers
• Don’t have any significant underlying medical conditions
• Are in good overall health

Keep in mind that neither tumescent nor traditional liposuction is a weight loss treatment and neither address cellulite.  

Ready to learn if tumescent liposuction is right for you? Get started by scheduling an appointment online or over the phone at HK Dermatology in San Juan Capistrano, California.