The second technique, which is somewhat novel, is called tumescent anesthesia, in which a very dilute anesthetic solution is injected into the area of liposuction over several hours. In this case the fat fills up with fluid and can be completely numb with only the use of local anesthesia. In routine liposuction, if more than approximately than two liters of fat are anticipated to be removed, the surgeon may recommend an auto-transfusion of blood. In this case, a unit of your blood is drawn off by the blood bank and saved and returned at the time of surgery. By this process, your blood count is maintained.
Some patients have a hanging pouch of skin that consists more of skin than fat.
In certain cases, this will not respond to liposuction and must be removed directly. The somewhat extensive surgical procedure to do this involves removing an ellipse of skin from the stomach wall. The scar extends from one hip bone to the other side and because there is a great deal of weight bearing in that region, may be a little wide and painful. The operation can take two or three hours and is only performed under general anesthetic, usually by a general plastic surgeon. A less than optimum result is possible.