How is liposuction performed? (updated 5.29.
On the day of surgery you will be marked in a standing position because we know that skin and fat shifts when you are laying down. Your surgeon will determine at that time approximately how much fat he will remove. You are then taken to the operating room and either general anesthesia or local anesthesia will be administered. The fat to be removed is first injected with a special fluid. The fluid contains epinephrine (adrenaline), saline solution and in some cases lidocaine (a local anesthetic). The fluid is intended to create pressure in the fat to reduce bleeding. In addition, the adrenaline will shrink the small blood vessels in the fat which also reduces any bleeding. A cannula is then placed through incisions less than a quarter of an inch in length. With a back and forth movement, the fat is broken up and suctioned into a canister.
