About Liposuction


Liposuction Defined
Liposuction is defined as the removal of fat deposits beneath the skin using a hollow stainless steel tube (called a cannula) with the assistance of a powerful vaccum. Liposuction at CHP is accomplished with local anesthetic (tumescent fluid) and is done in combination with our cutting-edge Lipotherme™ laser and/or our LipoSelect® ultrasound machine(s). Our patients are never put to sleep.


Tumescent Liposuction
Tumescent liposuction refers to a technique that uses large volumes of very dilute local anesthesia that is injected into the fat causing the targeted areas to become tumescent, or swollen and firm. Local anesthesia is widely regarded as the safest form of anesthesia. Post Op, patients typically will take Extra Strength Tylenol for pain.


Body-Jet™ Water liposuction System
Body-Jet Liposuction is a new liposuction technique that delivers pulses of saline fluids to gently dislodge fat for removal. This novel approach eliminates the need for the brute force movement of a suction cannula (tube) which is necessary with traditional liposuction or tumescent liposuction.  Traditional liposuction also requires a lengthy pre-infiltration phase where large quantities of tumescent fluid (a saline/adrenaline/lidocaine mixture) are introduced into the body. While Body-Jet uses these same fluids, less of the medications are typically needed during the procedure. These medications are used by your doctor to reduce discomfort and to manage bleeding. 

With Body-Jet, the quantity of fluid maintained at any given time within the body is greatly reduced, allowing the physician to accomplish a better anatomical assessment with an improved means for accurately removing fat during the procedure. This new approach using the Body-Jet often can yield a superior cosmetic result. Body-Jet Liposuction is frequently performed in less time than traditional liposuction and patients experience less bruising due to the gentle water spray technique often referred to by patients as water lipo or H2O lipo.

Body-Jet Lipo Differences and Advantages:

• Water-Jet Method --> Fluid dislodges fat, not brute force

• Local anesthesia --> Less risk

• Efficient fluid management --> Less bloating and swelling; accurate results

• New liposuction technique --> Requires less time to perform

• Gentle fluid spray --> Minimal bruising and short recovery

Lipotherme™ Laser liposuction System
Lipotherme is a revolutionary laser liposuction technology that utilizes a unique technology platform that quickly liquefies fat in cells, tightens skin and spares healthy surrounding tissue in less time than any other laser on the market. It allows dual absorbtion in water and hemoglobin; causing blood vessels to coagulate immediately, resulting in less bleeding, swelling and bruising. The simplicity and speed of the Lipotherme laser allows physicians to quickly master their laser-assisted lipolysis technique and optimize procedure time while creating exceptional patient results virturally pain-free with little to no side effects or downtime. The Lipotherme laser is the cutting-edge in laser technology, designed to be compact and portable, it requires no special maintenance, and offers unparalleled ease of use, precision and control.

The most common applications for Lipoform treatments include:

• Face
• Neck
• Back
• Arms
• Abdomen
• Thighs
• Knees
• Chin
• Back
• Buttocks

LipoSelect® by Vaser® (Using Vaser- 3rd generation ultrasound unit)
LipoSelection® only by Vaser® combines new patented technology with advanced surgical techniques to break up and melt fatty tissue. Unwanted fat can be efficiently removed from abs, arms, back, hips, knees, love handles, neck, chin, saddlebags and thighs.

The Vaser system uses a state-of-the-art ultrasound probe that melts fat, leaving surrounding tissue (such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue) relatively intact. The liquified fat is then removed through our gentle suctioning process, through which damage to surrounding tissue is further reduced.

Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
The power-assisted liposuction (PAL) technique features a cannula that vibrates at 4000 vibrations/minute to easily break up the fat for suctioning.  This technique is widely used today, but has been mostly replaced at CHP by Lipotherme and LipoSelection.


Tumescent Technique is Safest
The tumescent technique for liposuction is unquestionably the safest form of liposuction. When tumescent liposuction is done correctly (not excessively), it is a very safe procedure. For example, there have been no reported deaths associated with tumescent liposuction totally by local infiltration anesthesia. The dilute epinephrine contained in the tumescent anesthetic solution profoundly shrinks capillaries and thus virtually eliminates surgical blood loss.


Garments
Compressive garments are worn for a period of time to augment the reattachment of skin to the underlying surface and to aid in the molding of the contour of the body.


Liposuction Complications and Safety
Patients can develop seromas (a collection of lymphatic fluid) which must be drained. Patients can also develop skin irregularities, hematomas can also occur, or numbness of the skin. Liposuction should be done without general anesthesia. Most life-threatening complications have been associated with the use of general anesthesia (being put to sleep) leading to excessive blood loss, perforation of organs due to penetration the abdominal cavity causing damage to abdominal organs, including intestines, liver, stomach, etc. The important thing to remember that 97% of these kinds of complications are associated with General anesthesia, which is not administered at Centers for Health Promotion. Dr. Reynolds has performed more than 65,000 procedures without any significant complication.