Liposuction surgery is the removal of fat using a hollow tube called a "cannula" and a suction device. This technique, originally developed by Dr. Illouz in Paris, France, has recently taken great strides in safety and superior results.

Originally done in a hospital setting under general anesthesia, liposuction surgery used to be associated with significant healing times and potential for blood loss.

In 1988, Dr. Pat Lillis published his famous study, "Liposuction Surgery Under Local Anesthetic: Limited Blood Loss and Minimal Lidocaine Absorption." This study and many other studies like it since that time show that this new technique using large volumes of saline and a small amount of local anesthetic not only produces superior results, but is significantly safer than the prior methods.

Tumescent liposuction is done painlessly under local anesthesia with minimal blood loss. This eliminates the need for blood transfusion. It also eliminates the risk and expense of general anesthetic and the expense of a hospital or outpatient surgical facility.

A review of over 5,000 cases of liposuction surgery performed using tumescent liposuction was published in the Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and showed no serious complications and a very low percentage of minor problems (i.e., temporary swelling, irregularity, numbness, etc.)

Liposuction enables the physician to remove unwanted bulges created by excess localized fat deposits. The most common areas treated are the upper outer thigh in women or "saddle bags" and the upper and lower abdomen. Other areas include the hips, buttocks, inner thighs, and the neck area or "double chin."

Liposuction is not a substitute for weight loss and is not recommended for the very obese patient. Patients who are their normal body weight or slightly overweight are the best candidates for this procedure. Weight loss is usually minimal after liposuction because fat weighs very little.

Liposuction is ideal for the patient who has isolated fatty bulges that they can't seem to lose by exercise or diet. Most of all, it is important that a patient have realistic expectations of what she or he can achieve. The patient should be in good health without any significant heart or lung problems. Many healthy patients in their 60's have undergone this procedure and obtained excellent results.

There is a limit to how much fat can be safely removed in one session, therefore patients who are moderately obese, or who have many areas needing treatment, may require more than one procedure.

Most patients will lose inches and not pounds. The difference is usually seen in the way clothes fit. Overall, the patient will look slimmer in the areas treated. The appearance of cellulite is sometimes, but not always, improved.

Improvement following liposuction is usually noticed between ten to thirty days. However, improvement may continue for up to one year. The procedure occasionally may be repeated for optimal results.