Beauty in the Big Oil State: Houston Ultrasonic Liposuction
Ultrasonic liposuction was invented in the 1980s in Europe and became popular in America later that decade. It is a cosmetic procedure used to remove fatty tissue and cellulite. This method utilizes an ultrasonic (high pitched sound) device to loosen fat so that liquefied fat can then be vacuumed out of the body. The sound vibrates the underlying tissue which aids in its removal. Major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Houston do brisk business in liposuction. This article will focus on Houston ultrasonic liposuction.
Houston, Texas is known for big things. Big oil, big ranchers, and beauty queens with big Texas hair are all stereotypes associated with Houston. The city also has a big market for plastic surgery and offers the most innovative liposuction procedures available. Houston ultrasonic liposuction can be broken down into categories. First, there are internal and external ultrasonic liposuction procedures. Internal ultrasonic liposuction uses a straight metal rod called a cannula to puncture the skin and burn through the fatty tissue that lies beneath. External ultrasonic liposuction uses an ultrasound to superficially loosen the underlying tissue. External ultrasound can cause burns or perforations in the skin, nerve damage, and seromas, or fluid-filled balls, if tissues are injured. The second category of Houston ultrasonic liposuction is method used with internal and external procedures. Methods can be wet, traditional (dry), or tumescent. These methods will be described shortly. Most Houston ultrasonic liposuction surgeons prefer internal ultrasonic liposuction because it applies vibration directly to the underlying fat making it easier to remove and causing less harm to adjacent tissues and skin.
The wet method pumps a fluid like saline into tissues to help with pain management. The dry method does not use fluids and is not used today due to the fact that patients had to undergo general anesthesia, required greater recovery period due to tissues being traumatized and needed blood transfusions or died from blood clots due to this method. The most current, popular method in Houston ultrasonic liposuction is the tumescent method. Tumescent means balloon-like or swollen. Klein tumescent solution is injected into the fatty tissue causing it to swell. This method is best at removing the most fat. It is different than the regular wet method because the Klein solution contains adrenaline to inhibit bleeding and lidocaine to treat pain.
Finding a Houston Ultrasonic Liposuction Surgeon
Once a patient understands the types and methods of ultrasonic liposuction, he/she must find a good Houston plastic surgeon. There are many excellent directories online that can be used as resource material. Word of mouth may also be an excellent referral source. Though Texas likes things big hair and big breasts, body parts like booties and bellies are acceptable in reduced size brought about by Houston ultrasonic liposuction.
