What is tumescence?

Answer 1

A little background: Tumescent liposuction was invented and developed in 1985. The word "tumescent" means swollen and firm. By injecting a large volume of very dilute lidocaine (local anesthetic) and epinephrine (capillary constrictor) into subcutaneous fat, the targeted tissue becomes swollen and firm, or tumescent. Tumescent Liposuction uses unprecedented large doses of lidocaine and epinephrine. When general anesthesia is added to the tumescent Liposuction technique there are increased complications.

Liposuction surgery is an invasive, non-curative, harmful surgery. The complications from this surgery are not accurately followed. Because the reporting of adverse affects is not mandatory.

The HTAC issued this caution in 2002: "Death and disfigurement due to the cosmetic surgical procedure of liposuction should be a matter for serious public concern."An article in the Anesthesiology News, 2012, is entitled: "As Liposuction Deaths Mount, Study Exposes Cracks in Safety". The article states that, a quarter-century after the nation's plastic surgeons received what amounted to carte blanche to perform liposuction, a new analysis suggests that the procedure is no safer than it was back then.

Even patients who initially feel satisfied with a cosmetic outcome have had their bodies irreversibly changes in ways that will negatively affect their long-term physical and mental health, and their overall well-being. No matter how often it is renamed, or how the medical community spins it, liposuction is unsound. Scientific studies remind us that, regardless of the surgeon, the problem of liposuction has to do with the biology of fat.

Liposuction increases visceral fat, causes long-term fat mobilization, increases insulin resistance, and instigates metabolic syndrome - and all of these affects are so detrimental to one's health.

Liposuction is responsible for a spectrum of harm including:

· Permanent damage to muscles, nerves, underlying organs

· Painful skin adherence which is disabling and limits sitting and mobility

· Disturbing fat regrowth causing unnatural, disfigured appearance

· Possible increased in visceral fat which is linked to slowed metabolism and disease conditions known to shorten life

· Infertility and difficulties with lactation

· Loose sacks of skin that require risky skin excision and fat grafting

· Sunken pockets of divots

· Lack of transparent, clearly-communicated consent

· Problems of exceeded consent

· Financial hardship and even ruin

· Chronic pain, loss of quality of life

· Lidocaine toxicity, third-space swelling, Death

COMPETING DOCTORS INCREASE PUBLIC CONFUSION

A push-pull within sub-groups of the medical profession complicates the issues regarding liposuction / adipose removal: Board certified surgeons fault dermatologists (who don't have hospital privileges) for using local anesthesia and not being plastic surgeons. Dermatologists fault board certified plastic surgeons for performing too much toxic, aggressive surgery at once via general anesthesia. This internal finger pointing implies that the side effects are related to the doctor's training and technique, when in fact, the Biology of fat is At Fault. Not to be overlooked is also the invasive technique and guesswork that goes into liposuction.

In sum, several competitive groups of doctors who benefit handsomely from the surgery have convinced the public that - contrary to its poor track record and scientific studies proving otherwise - liposuction is safe. Of course, this does not make it so. The idea that doctors (board certified plastic surgeons or not) are above the fray should be earnestly questioned in order to prevent further widespread iatrogenic (medically induced) harm.