Definition: Tumescent liposuction is a popular liposuction technique in which fluid is injected into the target area to create space between the muscles and fatty tissue. This causes the tissue to become swollen and firm (tumescent), loosening the fat cells, reducing bruising, and allowing the surgeon more room to perform the movements that loosen the fat cells before they are suctioned out of the body.
A very large amount of liquid (up to 3 or 4 times the volume of the fat to be removed) is injected. This injected liquid is comprised of a combination of lidocaine (a local anesthetic), epinephrine (contracts blood vessels to minimize bleeding), and saline (a saltwater solution similar to our own body fluids). The fat cells are then suctioned out via a surgical vacuum device affixed with a cannula (the thin hollow tube used to suction out the excess fat cells).
Pronunciation: too-MESS-ent LYE-poh-suk-shun
