Water jet assisted liposuction is another method of liposuction being used by surgeons today. As in all types of liposuction, fatty deposits are removed from beneath the skin for a more contoured look. Liposuction is optimal for people who are in good physical shape and who aren’t interested in using liposuction as a weight loss measure, or for patients with lipedema.
Instead of injecting the body with tumescent fluid and removing the fat cells manually with a cannula, or using laser technology to melt and dislodge the fat, water jet assisted liposuction actually uses a slightly pressurized stream of saline to dislodge fat and simultaneously remove the cells. Instead of destroying fat cells, this type of liposuction loosens the fat cells to facilitate more gentle removal. Water Jet Assisted liposuction injects tumescent fluid (saline and medicines including a local anesthetic) into the body part being treated. Tumescent fluid is proven effective and several alternate liposuction technologies are now using the tumescent technique for its local anesthetic benefits. In the case of water jet assisted liposuction, it then uses different processes to actually remove the fat and manage fluid levels.
This is particularly effective for patients with lipedema as the gentler dissection using the jets of water makes it a better technique for the very delicate areas that are of a particular problem in lipedemic patients, such as the lower legs and arms.
Once the local anesthesia has taken hold, a cannula is then introduced into the tissue to irrigate and then simultaneously suction the loosened fat cell from the body. Finally, any remaining fluid is removed. The procedure is considered gentle and minimally invasive and the force seen in traditional liposuction methods is not needed when using jet-assisted liposuction. There is usually very little bruising or swelling and water jet assisted liposuction often has a very short recovery time, partially because the use of water means that there is less tissue trauma to the body.
This is another liposuction technology that does not require general anesthetic, which reduces risks to the patient and reduces costs. Also, because of the fluid management used in this technique, the surgeon can do a more detailed anatomical assessment while conducting the procedure, so the results are excellent. Basically, the area of the body doesn’t swell up, so the cosmetic surgeon can actually see the results of the liposuction as he or she is doing it.
Right now, one of the better known technologies in use is Body-Jet Liposuction by humanmed – distributed by CAREstream America. This is our method of choice at City Surgical Care. Launched into the marketplace in 2009, water jet assisted liposuction is quickly gaining popularity, but as of this point in time, very few surgeons are familiar with it.
These new technologies that offer a gentler and more precise approach are quickly adopted because of their effectiveness and the quick healing time. If your doctor plans to use water jet assisted liposuction make sure you are prepared when you meet with them so you can ask questions about the procedure and understand everything completely.