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Tumescent Liposuction Technique

Tumescent Liposuction Technique St Louis Tumescent Lipo Treatments

tumescent liposuction

Liposuction is an excellent choice for patients who are looking to smooth their physique and remove displeasing physical blemishes caused by the collection of fat deposits in the body. Learn more about our St Louis lipo technique below.

While regular exercise and healthy diet are always the first line of defense in keeping the body in prime condition, there are instances when no amount of physical effort or restricted consumption will suffice. For patients who find themselves in this situation,  Our St Louis lipo technique can be an extremely effective solution.

Liposuction Index

Liposuction Prices
Procedural Advancements
How Tumescent Liposuction Is Performed
Liposuction Safety
Risks of Liposuction
Insurance
Recovery from Liposuction

Tumescent Liposuction Cost in St. Louis

The liposuction in St Louis cost is based on a patient’s BMI (Body Mass Index), as well as the number of treatment areas. These costs will be discussed in detail during your initial Liposuction consultation. St. Louis lipo cost varies on a case-by-case basis. For a more accurate price, give us a call!

Estimate Liposuction Cost in St Louis*BMI (Body Mass Index) is calculated using your height and weight.

There are financing and payment arrangement options available. For instance, CareCredit can help with financing options. Please call our office to set up an appointment to discuss liposuction options and the associated cost.

We are pleased to provide patient financing for Cosmetic Surgery procedures through United Medical Credit. You can get more information on their website at United Medical Credit. United Medical Credit offers affordable monthly payments, competitive interest rates, multiple financing plans to choose from and many more!

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Procedural Advancements

Patients seeking liposuction procedures will now have the option of selecting tumescent liposuction when it comes to treating problematic areas. Developed by Dr. Jeffrey A. Klein, this approach to liposuction makes for an extra safe and efficient alternative to many methods currently used by physicians.

The term tumescent means “swollen and firm” and refers to the approach’s effect on capillaries. This innovative procedure utilizes large volumes of a diluted solution of lidocaine and epinephrine that temporarily shrink capillaries, ultimately reducing bleeding and bruising. The greatest advantage to this method of St Louis lipo is the use of local anesthetic in place of general anesthesia. IV sedatives or narcotic analgesics. The risks associated with general anesthesia are well-recognized and can include cardiac and circulatory depression as well as unpleasant side effects post-procedure. Patients who undergo plastic surgery with general anesthesia tend to experience longer recovery periods as well. Tumescent liposuction gives patients the freedom to avoid general anesthesia altogether and quickly get back to everyday life with a drastically shortened recovery period.

 


 

How Tumescent Liposuction is Performed

At the St Louis Lipo Center, every patient is scheduled for an initial consultation with an attending physician. This consultation is extremely important as it provides an opportunity for potential patients to meet with their physician in a comfortable setting and discuss any questions, concerns or hesitations they may have. It is also an ideal moment to discuss procedural goals and expectations. Understanding how a procedure works will help a patient and physician put together a personalized treatment plan, making for a customized and comforting experience overall. In some cases, you and your surgeon may elect to use RFLA instead.

For patients who elect to use a tumescent liposuction technique as a method for treating fat deposits, a step-by-step outline of how the procedure works will always be provided during the course of conversations with the performing physician. Prior to the procedure, the problematic areas to be treated are clearly mapped out and marked. A local numbing anesthetic is then injected through a series of small incisions in these areas to ensure a painless experience. Once the marked areas are numb, the physician will begin removing fat deposits using a small cannula and gentle suction. This simple procedure allows for permanent fat removal and allows patients to remain awake during the process. Remaining conscious through the procedure gives patients an opportunity to consult with their physician in real time concerning symmetry and desired results.

St Louis liposuction

Post-Procedure and Recovery Expectations

Once tumescent liposuction is complete, patients will be required to wear compression garments that help direct the treated area into its new shape and assist in the reduction of swelling. Compression garments also promote healthy blood flow and aid in the prevention of blood clots. These garments are worn for about 8 weeks to allow skin to tighten around the treated areas. A follow up appointment is scheduled for two days after the procedure, so the area can be checked thoroughly by the physician.  It may be necessary to schedule regular appointments afterwards as a way of ensuring continued success with results.

While patients may experience a couple days of minor discomfort following the procedure, over-the-counter pain relievers generally suffice in curbing these sensations. In the majority of cases, patients are able to return to their normal, every day activities a day or two after the procedure is completed.

What You Need to Know About the Safety of Liposuction

Dr. Thomas Wright takes liposuction safety seriously. For most patients, liposuction performed by a physician is a safe and reliable procedure. However, for some the blood loss and other risks of the traditional liposuction procedure have them considering the new “safe liposuction” technique.


 

The “Safe Liposuction” Technique

With the new Tumescent Technique, our patients have never required hospitalization or blood transfusions.  Neither have our patients ever had infections or other serious complications. Liposuction safety is our priority, and we are dedicated to ensuring patient safety and care.

Tumescent Liposuction is also the only technique that, in the hands of an expert surgeon, permits liposuction totally by local anesthesia, avoiding the dangers of general anesthesia, IV sedation and narcotic analgesics. General anesthesia adds risks * to the liposuction procedure; these are not present with our treatment, giving it the nick name “safe liposuction.”

There are surgeons who prefer to simultaneously use general anesthesia and the Tumescent Technique. The addition of general anesthesia adds significant risk to the surgery. Some surgeons rely on general anesthesia because they do not have the skill to achieve complete anesthesia with the tumescent technique. Others recommend general anesthesia just because they prefer patients to be unconscious. Still others use general anesthesia because it permits liposuction to be completed more rapidly, which allows for more procedures to be done on the same patient and or more patients.

However, the use of general anesthesia ought not to be based on what is most convenient for the surgeon, but rather what is best for the patient. Ultimately, the patient should choose the type of anesthesia with the best safety profile.


Dr. Wright Discussing “How Safe is Liposuction”


Recovery with Tumescent Liposuction technique is quicker than General Anesthesia

Virtually every patient who has had both traditional liposuction and the Tumescent Technique has said that the recovery with the Tumescent Technique is a quicker and less painful experience than with general anesthesia. With the Tumescent Technique, local anesthesia is associated with minimal discomfort. In addition, since the patient is awake during the procedure, the doctor is much gentler and more aware of the patient’s comfort. Once the area has been completely numbed, surgery in the area is essentially painless. In addition, because the local anesthesia persists in the treated area for more than 12 hours, there is no pain immediately after the surgery. Pain after that period may be treated with over-the-counter medication.

Cosmetic surgeons are consulted by patients for a long list of reasons but settling in comfortably at the top of the list of preferred procedures is liposuction. Over 250,000 liposuction procedures were performed in the United States alone in 2018. Advances in cosmetic technology have made this popular procedure safer than ever but being mindful of the recovery period is key to safe and successful long-term results. While the liposuction follow-up process will look different from one patient to the next depending on the severity of the treatment area, there are a few important points that are consistent when ensuring a successful recovery.

The First Few Days Following Tumescent Liposuction

While the vast majority of liposuction treatments performed are outpatient procedures, it’s important to adhere to a few standards at home for one to three days following liposuction. Your surgeon will apply a compression garment at the end of the surgery. Patients should regularly be wearing compression garments to stimulate healthy blood and lymphatic flow. Compression helps control the swelling and aids proper healing. It is critical to keep skin compressed and help it “ learn “ its new shape. In the first few days, you can expect moderate pain and soreness. Some people can treat the pain with over the counter pain relievers while others may need prescription pain medicine. It is advisable to stick to the prescribed pain medication plan and a schedule of limited physical activity during this time.

Before and After Cosmetic Thighs
Lipo at the St. Louis Laser Lipo and Vein Center

The First Two Weeks of Healing after Liposuction

Over the first week, the skin is swelling gradually improves until about 6-7 days. Then the skin starts to harden just a bit. This is normal as the healing process is kicking into high gear. After approximately day 8-10 the skin begins to soften and reduce in swelling as it starts to take its new shape. The patient will notice pain reduction during this time. It is still very important to continue to wear compression daily.

The Weeks Following St Louis Liposuction

Compression garments should still be worn for 6-8 weeks following the procedure while light exercise can be resumed three to five weeks after liposuction. At eight weeks post-procedure, patients are free to resume normal exercise routines and compression garments are no longer required. At six weeks after your surgery, the majority of your swelling and bruising will be gone but some can last a bit longer.

Tips to a Healthy Recovery
In addition to compression garments and reduced activity, the weeks following liposuction are most successful when combined with healthy eating habits, plenty of rest and ample hydration. Including all of these factors into the recovery period is a great way to reap the many benefits of liposuction long-term.


Risks of Any Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, liposuction is associated with certain common side-effects such as bruising, swelling and temporary numbness. Although irregularities of the skin are possible following liposuction, this side-effect is minimized by the Tumescent Technique. When using larger cannula occasionally there were patients with an irregularity of the skin. Dr. Wright, putting liposuction safety at the highest level, uses a microcannula, noticeable irregularities are very rare and results much more accurate and pleasing. The smaller cannula is a safer way to remove fat, resulting in less discomfort.

Because of the body’s slow resolution of post-surgical swelling, the ultimate, permanent results following liposuction usually require 12 to 16 weeks to become fully apparent. Nevertheless, patients can usually see dramatic improvements within two to four weeks after surgery, if not sooner.

Although the results of liposuction are often quite spectacular, it is not realistic to expect perfection. Liposuction of the thighs, while improving the silhouette, does not necessarily eliminate the subtle “puckering” of skin that is often referred to as “cellulite.” Liposuction with the Tumescent Technique does reduce the degree of cellulite but it is unlikely to eliminate it.

As judged by current worldwide experience, liposuction is amazingly safe. To the best of our knowledge, there have never been any reported serious complications using the Tumescent Technique for liposuction totally by local anesthesia. Dr. Wright’s ongoing participation in Liposuction technique training — and instruction by the inventor of the Tumescent Technique, Dr. Jeffrey Klein — ensures his skills and methods are state-of-the-art and reflect the very latest in results, patient comfort, and medical safety.

Rare problems that can potentially occur with any surgical procedure include infections, bleeding and nerve injury. The Tumescent St Louis lipo Technique minimizes these risks.


The Risks of Liposuction


These potential risks of Liposuction must be well understood by all prospective liposuction patients:

Excessive liposuction is dangerous and is a cause of liposuction complications. Patient safety requires that the number of areas treated or amount of fat aspirated in a day be within reasonable limits. Too much is too much.

Though local anesthesia carries much less risk than general anesthesia, unnecessary prolonged exposure is not wise. Unrelated procedures should not be undertaken at the same time.

Skin irregularities may result, particular when liposuction is performed with large cannulas. We only use small cannulas, in a technique called microliposuction.

Unfamiliarity with a patient’s current shape and desired outcome also present a risk. At some liposuction chains, the patient doesn’t even see the doctor until the surgery begins. Our doctor cares about liposuction safety and therefore personally meets with and consults with every patient to determine their needs and discuss results, and is present with the patient through pre-operative appointments, day of surgery, and follow-up progress check appointments.

Dr. Wright’s liposuction results are undeniable, check out his before and after pictures.

For more information on Liposuction Safety, please visit our friends at Liposuction.com.


When making the decision to undergo liposuction, many people are concerned about the amount of post-operative pain that may be experienced. Fortunately, post liposuction pain is something that you shouldn’t worry about; here is some more information to settle your fears!


How Long Will Liposuction Pain Last?

Generally, during the two days immediately after liposuction, the amount of pain experienced will depend on the type of anesthesia used for liposuction. Local anesthesia used for tumescent liposuction can last up to 24 hours after surgery, for a less painful post-op experience.

After tumescent liposuction procedures, the local anesthesia used will last for 12 to 24 hours, with the discomfort being described as tenderness or soreness. The day after the procedure, the pain is often described as being similar to muscle soreness or that of a sunburn. Mild to moderate pain generally lasts for 7 – 10 days and rarely requires any medication stronger than an over-the-counter pain reliever.


What is the Pain Level After a Liposuction Procedure?

When liposuction is performed by a skilled surgeon, most patients experience far less discomfort. The level of pain after liposuction, however, is somewhat dependent on size of the procedure area. For instance, after a small liposuction procedure, pain is actually considered quite mild. The pain level experienced after a larger procedure is considered to be moderate for about 7 – 10 days. Patient’s rarely require more than an over-the-counter pain reliever.


What Can Be Done to Minimize Soreness After the Procedure?

Most often, the swelling and soreness experienced by patients is a result of some of the anesthetic solution being trapped under the skin. Blood cells and small bits of fat that may have not been suctioned away can remain and cause some inflammation that can result in pain and swelling. To ensure complete drainage, the incision sites may be left open and the patient will be asked to wear compression garments.


Much of the soreness of the liposuction surgery is related to the swelling and healing of the skin.

After liposuction, the skin undergoes three periods of healing, over which you will experience different symptoms. For the first seven to ten days, you may notice swelling in the treatment area, as the skin is attempting to remove the tumescent fluid. Next is the longest healing phase, lasting from six weeks all the way up to three months. During this inflammatory phase, proteins and immune cells flood the treatment area to repair and rebuild; the skin may still seem swollen, but it should feel firmer and tighter to the touch. Finally, the skin begins to soften during the remodeling phase. All in all, this process can take anywhere from three to six months in length.


Is Liposuction Using Local Anesthetic Less Painful Than Under General Anesthesia?

The majority of patients who have undergone liposuction under general anesthesia and local anesthesia indicate that the tumescent technique is far less painful. This is probably due to the fact that the local anesthetic covers three stages of the procedure: the initial injection of the fluid, during the procedure, and postoperatively.
Dr. Wright will discuss any potential post liposuction pain that may occur during your liposuction procedure to ensure that your experience is as pain-free as possible. Visit today to learn more about St Louis cosmetic surgery, as well as post liposuction pain!

Make an Appointment to Discuss The Safe Liposuction Technique

For more information about our liposuction or to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation, please use the form to the right or call us now.

*  Risk of Mortality for young healthy individuals for general anesthesia is  0.1 – 0.5 %  per surgery. Reference: Clinics (Sao Paulo). Oct 2009; 64(10): 999–1006.  and   Wikipedia : General Anesthesia .

My experience with Dr. Wright and his staff was exceptional. I have had two liposuction procedures performed by Dr. Wright and both were very successful. I would recommend Dr. Wright and his staff highly. The staff was professional and helpful with after care and follow-up appointments. If I had any other needs they would be on the top of my list.

– D.H.

 

Insurance Coverage

While many patients seek out liposuction as a solution to cosmetic alterations, it’s very possible insurance companies may cover the cost of services if they are linked to underlying medical issues. In some cases, our liposuction technique is considered a therapeutic solution to more complex diseases including Lipedema. Additionally, liposuction may take pressure off of restricted veins that increase the risk for blood clots. Patients who suffer from venous deficiencies should be sure to check with their insurance companies prior to receiving services to see if the liposuction cost in St Louis could be covered.

What You’ll Pay Here at the Laser Lipo and Vein Center

The initial consultation for St Louis liposuction procedures at Laser Lipo & Vein Center is free and without obligation. You will be able to discuss the procedure, as well as the complete cost of this procedure.

There is no fixed fee structure for the liposuction cost in St Louis. The price varies depending on factors, including:

  • The number of treatment areas
  • Type of area treated
  • Amount of fat to be removed
  • Length of procedure time

There are also other variations in the liposuction cost. Generally, the cost per treatment area decreases if more than one area is treated. This is because it is more efficient and easier to treat multiple areas during a single session.

The amount of fat removed also affects the price. Liposuction takes a considerable amount of time to perform, therefore if a large amount of fat needs to be removed, it takes longer and the cost increases.

Actual Patient – Individual Results May Vary

Dr. Wright’s liposuction results are undeniable, check out his before and after pictures.

Value Quality Over Cost for St Louis Liposuction

While the cost is an important factor when considering lipo; however, the quality is more important. Liposuction is a surgical procedure and the doctor’s expertise and knowledge, attention to detail and his safety concerns should be paramount in making the decision.

The ultimate goal is to give you the best results possible. This is why the surgeon’s experience and expertise are more important that the overall cost. You don’t want to experience any undesirable liposuction results that can include:

  • Little to no evidence that the lipo was even performed
  • A disfigured appearance from excessive liposuction
  • Unsightly or irregular depressions or bumps in the skin
  • Large scars

Due to the fact that Dr. Wright performs only tumescent liposuction, patients will not incur fees for general anesthesia, anesthesiologist fees or hospital use.

At St Louis Lipo & Vein Center, fees are tailored to each patient. During your consultation, the doctor will get a sense of your ultimate goals and will work with you to assess any specific goals or needs. A “one price fits all” method is not used, so this consultation is confidential and personal. To find out more about liposuction cost, don’t hesitate to reach out!

The following is an estimate of the liposuction cost in St Louis at Laser Lipo & Vein. These prices include:

  • Pre-operative consultation
  • All follow-up appointments
  • Compression garment

Still Have Questions about Liposuction Cost in St Louis?

If you are worried about the liposuction in St Louis cost of your surgery, you don’t need to be! Here at the St Louis Lipo and Vein Center, we accept CareCredit, the leading provider of liposuction financing. With CareCredit, you can break down the cost of your liposuction payments into monthly installments so you can pay off your surgery at your own pace. Add in the low interest rates (with good credit) and it’s easy to see how CareCredit can make your liposuction surgery more affordable than ever before! For more information about CareCredit and how it can help you, call the Laser Lipo and Vein Center today or visit https://www.carecredit.com/. We can’t wait to hear from you soon! If you’re interested in St Louis lipo, give us a call!

My experience with Dr. Wright and his staff was exceptional. I have had two liposuction procedures performed by Dr. Wright and both were very successful. I would recommend Dr. Wright and his staff highly. The staff was professional and helpful with after care and follow-up appointments. If I had any other needs they would be on the top of my list.

How to Take Care of Yourself after Liposuction Surgery

Recovery after Liposuction in our office is a simple process. Because the Tumescent Technique uses epinephrine to minimize blood and bruising, and because local anesthesia keeps the patient awake thus Dr. Wright works very gently, there isn’t much to recover from. Incisions involved in this procedure are tiny, about the size of the tip of a pen. Minor bleeding or seepage through the incision site(s) is common after this procedure for day or several.

After liposuction, our patients wear a discreet support garment (like gymwear or Spanx) for six to eight weeks. The support garments can be removed during bathing 24 hours after surgery. The garment helps the treated area conform to its new shape and also helps the fluid introduced into the area evacuate more quickly.

St Louis Lipo Patient Discusses Her Liposuction Recovery

View video of a patient just after her treatment with us.


Recovering from Liposuction


Liposuction recovery for most, entails very little downtime. However, for the first postoperative day, there may well be some discomfort requiring over-the-counter pain medicine. Soreness or aching may persist for several days. A person can usually return to normal activity within days. Postoperative bruising will go away within 10 to 14 days. Postoperative swelling begins to go down after a week. It may take three to six months for the final contour to be reached.

Any and all exercise or activity can be safely resumed. There are no stitches and no general anesthesia recovery period, no heavy bruising to the body. Most people begin enjoying their new shapes right away with no restrictions.

Contact Us For Detailed Liposuction Aftercare Instructions

To learn more about our St Louis lipo, please contact us for your free consultation without obligation. You may call the number above or use the contact form at the right to ask a question or set up a consultation time with the doctor.

Actual Patient – Individual Results May Vary

Dr. Wright’s liposuction results are undeniable, check out his before and after pictures.

My experience with Dr. Wright and his staff was exceptional. I have had two liposuction procedures performed by Dr. Wright and both were very successful. I would recommend Dr. Wright and his staff highly. The staff was professional and helpful with after care and follow-up appointments. If I had any other needs they would be on the top of my list.

– D.H.

St Louis Lipo Center

Keeping patient safety as a top priority, Dr. Wright and his dedicated staff at the St. Louis Laser Lipo and Vein Center are committed to providing world class service. Tumescent liposuction provides a time-efficient solution to fat removal while ensuring a quick recovery. When diet and exercise are no longer viable options, consider scheduling a consultation to see how tumescent liposuction could be the life-changing solution you’ve been looking for.

FAQ’s

Is tumescent liposuction painful?

Answer: It is much less painful than traditional methods because of the use of local anesthetics. Pain sometimes occurs two or four days after the procedure. The removal sites can be tender.

How long does it take to recover from tumescent liposuction?

Answer: 1-2 days of recovery time where you will experience some swelling and tenderness around the area.