Abdomen
When discussing liposuction and related surgeries, physicians use the words abdomen, belly and tummy interchangeably. The words "gut" and "stomach" should not be used, as they generally refer to the internal digestive organs.
Anesthesia (local)
A drug injected into a specific part of the body to prevent nerves from transmitting pain. During liposuction, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area where the cannula is inserted into the body. This area is also known as the entrance wound.
Anesthesia (general)
A drug introduced into the body either through the lungs, through the veins, into the muscles or into the intestines to produce a state of unconsciousness with a total absence of pain.
Aspirate
The process of using suction to remove fat and fluids from the body. The word can also be used to describe the actual material that's removed from the body during liposuction.
Aspirator
An electrical pump that creates a vacuum that draws fat and fluid from the body and captures it in bottles, bags or containers.
Cannula
A sharp, hand-held instrument used to suction fat from inside the body. The suctioned fat passes through the cannula into a hose that then deposits the fat into bags, bottles or other containers.
Cellulite
A common word for the puckered appearance of skin on the thighs and buttocks. Cellulite results from the pulling of fibrous tissue that connects skin to underlying muscles. Liposuction may reduce cellulite but it is unlikely to eliminate it.
Complication
A short-term or permanent problem that arises during or after surgery.
Computer imaging
Using a computer to provide a prospective patient with a general idea of what he or she might look like after surgery.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
A registered nurse with training and certification in anesthesia. CRNAs do not have the same education and training as anesthesiologists.
Dermatologic Surgery
Surgery performed by physicians who specialize in the skin. Dermatologic surgery takes place between and including the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous fat. Tumescent liposuction was created and developed by a dermatologic surgeon.
Dermis
The layer of the skin that lies just below the outer layer of skin, also known as the epidermis. Largely made up of fibrous or connective tissue, the dermis binds and stores water, maintains body temperature and provides protection from mechanical injury. Blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, sweat glands, oil glands, hair follicles, hair erecting muscles, and other structures reside in or travel through the dermis.
Dry Method (Liposuction)
The oldest form of liposuction, the Dry Method was imported to the United States from Europe in the early 1980s. Unlike the Wet Method of liposuction, no fluids are pumped into the tissues before removing the fat. While the Wet Method is often performed with local anesthetic, the Dry Method usually requires a general anesthetic due to increased pain. The Dry Method usually involves more bleeding in the treated areas and occasionally required blood transfusions if large or multiple areas were treated.
Epidermis
The outermost layer of the skin that protects the body from the environment. The epidermis contains keratinocytes (cells that make keratin) and melanocytes (cells that make pigment) and other specialized cells but no nerves or blood vessels.
Epidural
A form of spinal anesthesia where a drug is injected near the lower spinal cord. Epidurals are generally used during labor and delivery or during surgery on the legs or lower abdomen. Also known as a spinal block.
Fat
A highly concentrated energy source found throughout the body including the eye sockets, inside bones, around the intestines (omental) and under the skin (subcutaneous). This subcutaneous fat is the only kind that is removed by liposuction. Some fat deposits are genetically determined while others are the result of food consumption and activity levels.
Omentum and omental fat
The soft layer of fat that encases the bowel. Omentum fat stores fat and calories and protects the bowel. While omentum fat can be enormous, it cannot be suctioned without great risk to the bowels.
Infiltrating needle
A small, thin, rounded needle used to inject the tumescent solution into the target fat to swell the tissues before tumescent liposuction.
Infranatant
The bottom or sinking layer of water-fluid and blood that sinks to the bottom of the collection canister during liposuction. Supranatant fluids (oil and fat) rise to the top because they are less dense.
In-patient
A patient who undergoes surgery and spends at least one night after surgery in the hospital or surgery center. An out-patient is one who undergoes surgery and returns home the same day.
Klein (Tumescent) Method and Solution
The term "tumescent" (swollen or ballooned) refers to the enlarged appearance of the tissues due to a large volume of fluid pumped into the target fat before and during the removal procedure. The tumescent fluid (also known as Klein Solution) contains sterile dilute salt water, adrenaline (to reduce bleeding), lidocaine (a numbing medication) and bicarbonate (to reduce the acidity of the IV to reduce discomfort). Invented by a dermatologic surgeon, Tumescent Liposuction is considered to be one of the safest and most effective form of liposuction, as it enables the surgical instruments to pass through the skin and tissue with less pain, trauma and bleeding.
Liposuction
Also known as lipoplasty or suction lipectomy, liposuction is the process of removing unwanted fat from specific areas of the body, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Liposuction is performed by inserting a sharp, hand-held instrument (cannula) through an entrance wound in the patient's skin. Powered by a vacuum pump or aspirator, the suctioned fat passes through the cannula into a hose that then deposits the fat into bags, bottles or other containers. While no method of liposuction is a substitute for proper nutrition and physical exercise, liposuction can remove stubborn areas of fat that don't respond to traditional weight loss methods.
Mega liposuction
A more risky liposuction procedure that removes more than the average amount of fat. Mega sessions are almost always performed on severely overweight patients and can result in removal of 8-10 or more liters of fat.
Lipoplasty
A newer, cosmetic surgery-style term for liposuction
Out-patient
A patient who undergoes surgery and returns home the same day. An in-patient spends at least one night after surgery in the hospital or surgery center.
Physical Examination
An examination of a patient's body which may be used to assess the amount of fat that can be removed in a given area using liposuction
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The process of surgically changing, shaping or reconstructing a portion of the human body.
Scar
Fibrous tissue on the exterior of the skin that results from damage to the body. Liposuction scars can be minimized by using wrinkles or natural anatomy lines for incisions and entrance wounds.
Sedation
The administration of a sedative or hypnotic drug to induce relaxation or unconsciousness during liposuction.
Spinal block
A form of spinal anesthesia where a drug is injected near the lower spinal cord. Spinal blocks, or epidurals as they are also known, are generally used during labor and delivery or during surgery on the legs or lower abdomen.
Split-session liposuction
While Mega liposuction removes all available fat in one session, Split Session liposuction involves two or three smaller sessions on separate days. Split sessions usually take place a month apart to allow the body to recuperate. Even when combined, the risks of split sessions are usually less than a Mega liposuction.
Subcutaneous fat
Fat tissue that lies below or under the dermis.
Supranatant
The top or floating layer of fluids (oil and fat) that rise to the top of the collection canister during liposuction. Infranatant fluids (water and blood) sink because they are more dense.
Tumescent Liposuction
Tumescent, meaning swollen or ballooned, refers to the enlarged appearance of the tissues due to a large volume of fluid pumped into the target fat before and during the removal procedure. Tumescent Liposuction is also known as the Klein Method, after the California dermatologic surgeon who invented it in the 1980s. The tumescent fluid (also known as Klein Solution) contains sterile dilute salt water, adrenaline (to reduce bleeding), lidocaine (a numbing medication) and bicarbonate (to reduce the acidity of the IV to reduce discomfort). Recently, surgeons have also used a small amount of triamcinolone, a hydrocortisone anti-inflammatory medication to reduces post-operative soreness. Tumescent Liposuction is considered to be one of the safest and most effective form of liposuction, as it enables the surgical instruments to pass through the skin and tissue with less pain, trauma and bleeding.
Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty ("UAL")
This form of liposuction uses an ultrasound generator that vibrates the tip of the cannula to 'shake and break' the fat cells. As fat and oil are released into the surrounding area, the cannula sucks it up and removes it from the area. UAL has been shown to improve the ease and effectiveness of liposuction in fibrous areas of the body such as the upper back or the enlarged male breast. Unfortunately, the heat at the tip of the cannula can damage nerves, vessels and organs if not properly controlled. To date UAL has been performed successfully on several thousand people worldwide, however, the long-term effects of ultrasound energy are not yet known.
Vacuum
The suction force created by an aspirator as it draws fat and fluids into the tip of the cannula.
Wet Method
The second oldest liposuction technique, the Wet Method pumps fluids containing adrenaline (to restrict bleeding) and lidocaine (a numbing medication) into the tissues before suctioning the target fat. This method has surpassed the Dry Method as it reduced bleeding and blood loss and may facilitate patient mobility. The Wet Method differs from the later Tumescent (Klein) Method in that the target fat is not infiltrated with as much fluid.
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