Tumescent liposuction and improved postoperative care using Tumescent Liposuction Garments.

The tumescent technique for liposuction, using large volumes of dilute lidocaine and epinephrine infiltrated into subcutaneous fat, has improved safety by eliminating the risks of general anesthesia and the massive blood loss associated with older techniques. This article describes the results of the author's search for ways to optimize patient care after tumescent liposuction. The tumescent technique has dramatically improved postoperative comfort and accelerated recovery time. Using microcannulas and multiple incisions for cannula access, leaving the incisions open without sutures, and wearing a specially designed Tumescent Liposuction (TLG) Garment for compression, patients return to work in 1 to 2 days, and the first postoperative follow-up office visit is 5 to 6 weeks after surgery.