Tumescent Liposuction: Technique, Risks and Recovery

Tumescent liposuction uses a fluid containing local anaesthetic and other medicines before fat removal. The term describes a technique, not a promise of greater safety, a fixed volume or a standard recovery.

Assessment and procedure scope

The surgeon should review health, body mass index, skin quality, treatment area, medicines, smoking, clot risk and previous surgery. Liposuction changes selected fat contours; it is not treatment for obesity and does not reliably remove loose skin, cellulite or stretch marks.

Anaesthesia and fluid planning

Ask about the planned fluid, medicine doses, anaesthesia, treated areas, expected volume and monitoring. The appropriate limit depends on the person, facility and procedure. Combining operations can change risk and recovery.

Risks and recovery

Risks include bleeding, infection, fluid imbalance, local-anaesthetic toxicity, contour irregularity, asymmetry, numbness, skin injury, fluid collection, blood clots, fat embolism, organ injury, anaesthetic complications and revision. The NHS liposuction guide notes that results cannot be assured and describes pulmonary oedema and embolism among possible complications.

Confirm the contracted surgeon and hospital, procedure extent, anaesthesia, tests, garments, follow-up and complication pathway. Read Revitalize’s liposuction guide, male liposuction information and assessment route.