What is the difference between the tumescent technique and ultrasonic liposuction?
Tumescent liposuction involves the injection of salt water containing lidocaine and small amounts of adrenaline. This numbs the affected area and shrinks the blood vessels. This also has the effect of expanding the fat layer for easier removal. Then the plastic surgeon suctions out both the water and the excess fat. Ultrasonic liposuction is more properly referred to as Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty (UAL) . UAL is a new technique in which a specialized liposuction cannula emits high frequency sound waves to liquefy the fat before it is removed.
