What Is Tumescent Liposuction

What Is Tumescent Liposuction
What Is Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent liposuction involves the surgical removal of excess body fat using a combination of traditional liposuction techniques and tumescent anesthesia. The procedure is relatively new to the cosmetic surgery scene, having come into widespread use in the 1990′s. Tumescent liposuction offers significant benefits over traditional liposuction techniques for its ability to minimize post-operative discomfort, curtail surgical bleeding, and reduce bruising and swelling during the recovery period.

Tumescent liposuction is unique in that it uses large volumes of a dilute solution of lidocaine, paired with the drug epinephrine. The lidocaine serves as a local anesthetic, eliminating the need for patients to go under general anesthesia. The epinephrine serves to temporarily restrict capillaries, thereby reducing bleeding during the surgery. This combination allows surgeons to perform liposuction using minimal amounts of sedatives. The lidocaine is retained in the body for several hours after the procedure, giving the patient up to 12 to18+ hours of pain-free recovery. The use of tumescent anesthetic also eliminates the drunken feeling felt by many patients after going under general anesthesia, as well as the nausea felt by traditional liposuction patients.

At the start of the procedure, the surgeon anesthetizes the skin at select locations using tiny needles. Once the skin has been numbed, longer needles are used to anesthetize the subcutaneous fat with large quantities of the dilute lidocaine and epinephrine solution. Patients are frequently given a mild sedative, such as Valium to help relax them during the procedure. Once the areas to be treated are completely numb, the doctor begins the liposuction. Small holes, called adits, are made in the skin using round skin biopsy punches to form access sites for the liposuction microcannulas. A microcannula is a very small stainless steel tube, ranging from 1mm to 3mm in diameter, designed to effectively remove small amounts of fat. Fat is suctioned out of the body in small tunnels through the microcannula, leaving the fibrous strands attached to the skin and muscles intact. Once the desired fat has been suctioned out, the microcannulas are removed. Since the adits are such small holes, there is no need for sutures using this method. This actually serves to speed up the healing process since drainage can occur via the adits, greatly reducing the amount of swelling and bruising of the treated areas.

Tumescent liposuction, as with any other type of surgical procedure, does carry some risks. Patients should expect some side-effects from the procedure such as bruising, swelling, and temporary numbness of the treated areas. Significant drainage will occur in areas where adits were formed. Some skin irregularities may result from the procedure, though this side-effect is greatly reduced with the use of both the tumescent anesthesia and microcannulas. Other, more serious side-effects can include blood clots, infection, and allergic reactions to the anesthesia.

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Cellulite Treatment Options

Cellulite Treatment Options
Cellulite Treatment Options

Cellulite is fat that is caught between bands of connective tissue directly beneath the skin that creates a lumpy, bumpy orange peel appearance mostly on the hips, thighs and backsides of most women. While not life threatening, it is ugly, unsightly and embarrassing if you’re the one that has it.

Because cellulite is primarily caused by fat, reducing the body’s fat content by creating a caloric deficit either by eating less or exercising is the first step for reducing cellulite. However, diet and exercise do not always give women (and some men) the results that they’re looking for. This is where treatment options come in.

Cellulite is located right beneath the skin which is why many treatment options involve -treating the fat, -relaxing the bands of connective tissue and -proper skincare. Treating the fat involves both aerobic and anaerobic (muscle conditioning) exercises and proper diet with some caloric restrictions as mentioned above.

There are two treatments that are purported to minimize cellulite by relaxing the bands of connective tissue that “hold” the fat. One is called Endermologie and the other is called VelaSmooth. Endermologie is usually performed in a plastic surgeon or cosmetic dermatologist’s office. It uses a motorized device that that has 2 adjustable rollers with suction that creates smooth and regulated deep tissue mobilization. In order for it to be effective, the client must have several consecutive treatments and then follow up treatments for maintenance. The results are often visible somewhat quickly but are temporary if maintenance isn’t done.

VelaSmooth is the newest technology in the realm of cellulite treatments. It uses both infrared red light and radio frequency waves to relax the bands of connective tissue that trap fat and make it appear bumpy. It’s non-invasive and must be done twice a week for 5 weeks and then monthly. The initial results of VelaSmooth are very promising.

Proper skincare in the cellulite prone areas can reduce it’s appearance. There are a number of cellulite creams, gels and lotions that work temporarily to varying degrees. It’s important to use these topical treatments as directed. It’s also important to make sure that the cream or gel is massaged in well in order to stimulate circulation. Some of these products work better than others so it’s a matter of trial and error as well as persistence for topical treatments to work effectively.

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Four Drug Free Ways To Lower Blood Pressure

Four Drug Free Ways To Lower Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, the vessels that carry blood away from the heart. It is normal for your blood pressure to fluctuate during the day. When it stays high, you have high blood pressure, or hypertension. This increased pressure puts a strain on your heart that could lead to a heart attack. It also affects other organs in the body like the kidneys and brain. There are literally hundreds of prescription medications for treating blood pressure but certain lifestyle changes can also have beneficial effects on blood pressure.

According to The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, over 90% of Americans have or will have hypertension in their lifetime. When blood pressure reaches 115 over 75, the damage to the body has just begun. For every 20 over 10 increase, the damage actually doubles. According to a national survey, 70% of Americans are aware of their high blood pressure, 59% are being treated, and 34% have it under control.

Eating foods that are low in saturated fats, low in total fat, and low in cholesterol can reduce blood pressure. A well balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low fat dairy products should make up the majority of your eating plan. Be sure to ease into any change in eating regimen. Sudden changes can cause bloating and diarrhea, lessening your chance of sticking with it. The lowered pressure effect of this dietary change is often the same as taking a blood pressure medication.

Maintaining a healthy body weight reduces your chances of developing hypertension. The best way to control body weight is to eat less calories and exercise more. Proven calorie reduction techniques include eating smaller portions, using low fat or fat free products, and limiting sugar intake. Exercising just 20 to 30 minutes a few times a week can produce dramatic results. The physical activity can include anything like walking, bicycling, or gardening. Simply getting your body in motion and keeping it in motion for a period of time is all you need.

Reducing sodium in your diet is another way to keep the pressure down. The average American should consume no more than 2.4 grams of sodium per day. For someone with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend 1.5 grams or less of sodium. Processed and pre-packed foods usually contain a high amount of sodium. After a high sodium meal, many people have a bloated feeling due to excess water retention. This extra volume increases the blood pressure. Salt substitutes are available but be sure to check with your doctor before using any of them. Most contain potassium which reacts with certain medications.

Drinking an excess amount of alcohol can raise your blood pressure. It also harms the liver, brain, and heart. Alcohol is also high in calories, which can that lead to weight gain. If you drink, be sure to have a moderate amount. This is defined as one drink a day for women and two drink a day for men.

None of these lifestyle changes will work unless you stay on them. Americans must change how we view blood pressure. This disease is much more prevalent than previously thought. The sooner action is taken, the better.

An excellent resource for blood pressure reduction techniques is found at the National Institute for Health website at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html.

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