The following observations comparing and contrasting the two techniques have been compiled from these journals.
Traditional Tumescent Liposuction:

• Best suited for women and men close to their ideal weight.
• Best suited for women and men with good,i.e., youthful skin tone and texture.
  

• May require multiple procedures to achieve ideal proportions.
• Requires surgeon's strength and dexterity to manipulate cannulas to "shear" fat for suctioning. This method can be referred to as "mechanical" liposuction as opposed to "ultrasonic."

• Ultrasonic waves delivered through the cannula emulsify or liquify the fat while traditional liposuction requires manual effort to pulverize adipose tissue.
• Ultrasonic waves actually target fat cells specifically, causing them to "implode" and liquify for suction removal. Because fat cells alone are selected, blood and tissue loss is minimal.
• Ultrasonic techniques make difficult fibrous areas easier to treat than traditional methods. These fibrous areas include the male breast, upper abdomen and fatty deposits on the back.

• Traditional liposuction causes more tissue trauma and bruising than ultrasonic techniques due to tissue destruction necessary to manually break up the fat. Ultrasound emulsifies fat without damaging adjacent tissues.

• "Wavy" areas of fat that are sometimes side effects of traditional liposuction are minimized by ultrasonic liposuction. Ultrasonic techniques preserve skin retraction and contraction. Because ultrasound is so precise, this means smooth and even contouring is more achievable.

• Ultrasonic liposuction may eliminate the need for secondary surgery and extensive scarring associated with excess skin removal following traditional liposuction; after ultrasonic liposuction, the skin appears to retain better skin tone.

• Ultrasonic liposuction may be performed on patients who are overweight. This is possible due to decreased blood loss and skin tightening observed with ultrasonic liposuction.

• Less postoperative pain has been reported by patients undergoing ultrasonic liposuction.
  Ultrasonic liposuction produces better skin retraction and may improve cellulite.

No procedure is without risk. Surgical training on ultrasonic liposuction is critical, even when the surgeon is familiar with traditional or tumescent liposuction. Most plastic and cosmetic surgeons are not yet familiar with the use of ultrasound. Plastic surgeons agree that one procedure will not replace another. Ultrasonic techniques will serve to broaden the number of candidates now suitable for liposuction.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions