WHAT IS WATERJET-ASSISTED LIPOSUCTION?
Waterjet-assisted liposuction is a cutting-edge fat reduction method that employs a saline spray (often mixed with painkillers and vessel constrictors) to effectively dislodge fat, streamlining the fat removal process during a liposuction. This technique ensures a quicker and more efficient fat elimination with minimal tissue damage, setting it apart from other methods like ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) or laser-assisted liposuction, which can cause damage through thermal energies.
WAL reduces operation and anaesthetic time, reduces bleeding, swelling and bruises, and shortens downtime overall.
Notably, it's a gentler option for fat cell harvesting, yielding a higher number of healthy fat cells, thus particularly suitable for patients planning to use the removed fat for fat-grafting (e.g. fat-grafting breast augmentation).
PROCEDURE AND RECOVERY TIMELINE
The procedure is typically performed as a day procedure. While it is possible to perform under local anaesthesia, it is more comfortable to have it under sedation in healthy patients. During the procedure, small incisions are made in the treatment area. Tumescent fluid is infiltrated and a cannula with a saline spraying tip is inserted to dislodge fat tissue. The loosened tissue is then gently suctioned away. Compression garments are applied immediately after the procedure.
Most patients experience one to two weeks of downtime, with a return to work possible within five days. Bruising, pain, and swelling typically resolve within two to three weeks, and a compression garment may be recommended. Some swelling may persist for four to six weeks.
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS
Possible side effects include erythema, edema, tenderness, myalgias, ecchymosis, scars, infection, pruritus, asymmetry, contour irregularity.
TAKEAWAY
Waterjet-assisted liposuction is a safe and effective procedure for body contouring and excess fat removal. The saline spray facilitates a gentler fat removal solution, resulting in less swelling, pain, bruising, and quicker recovery times. It is particularly suitable for patients who wanted a simultaneous fat-grafting procedure.
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