Today's Tumescent Liposculpture Vs. Traditional Liposuction

Author: Rodney Davis, Physician Assistant

Not very long ago, getting the shape that you always wanted required invasive surgery that almost certainly resulted in significant postoperative pain, obvious bruising, an increased risk of complications – not to mention an extended recovery time. Yesterday’s liposuction was risky, difficult, and surprisingly is still practiced  by most plastic surgeons who offer liposuction as just one of the several different procedures that they try to squeeze into an already exhaustive list of other cosmetic services. Liposuction is considered a major surgery, sometimes resulting in serious complications in the operating room, causes major bruising, and unsightly scars. This was and remains an aggressive procedure that produces deep bruises and sometimes requires stitches. This in turn can lead to increased scar formation.

Today’s tumescent liposuction, also known as Liposculpture, is a much safer procedure with minimal downtime.  Liposculpture is an advanced form of liposuction that leads to gentler body sculpting and more precise results. Unlike traditional liposuction with general anesthesia, liposculpture patients remain awake while their fat is removed with very tiny instruments. And, because Liposculpture doesn’t use the same heavy sedatives as traditional liposuction, most patients are able to walk out of the treatment offices immediately following the procedure. A good portion of liposculpture patients are able to return to most activities in 1 to 2 days. The tumescent liposuction procedure also stimulates the collagen-producing agents in skin, leaving skin firmer and smoother.

Liposculpture is less invasive. Most areas of the body require only 1 to 2 tiny incisions. The cannula, or straw-like tool that is used to suck out fat, is only 2-3 millimeters wide –that’s about the size of a cooked piece of spaghetti. The incisions resulting from the procedure are barely noticeable after only a few weeks. Because the cannulas are so much smaller than the ones used in traditional liposuction, you won’t experience the unsightly scars that sometimes accompany traditional liposuction.

Liposculpture is more gentle. When using larger instruments in
traditional liposuction, providers generally make larger, more aggressive strokes while removing fat. Liposculpture uses smaller cannulas, all procedures are performed with shorter, gentler strokes. Patients usually experience only mild soreness the day after the procedure – something equivalent to post-exercise muscle ache. Tumescent liposuction may take longer than traditional liposuction, but the procedure leaves minimal bruising and pain. With today’s Liposculpture, you get the same results as traditional liposuction without all of the bruising and scarring.

Liposculpture is not considered a major surgery, it is a completely outpatient procedure.  Some patients even drive themselves home from the procedure. Many of the serious complications associated with traditional liposuction occurred because the patient was under heavy anesthesia. Patients under heavy anesthesia are unable to tell their provider if the procedure is too aggressive or causing unusual amounts of pain.  With Tumescent Liposuction, complications due to general anesthesia are eliminated. Patients remain awake under light or no sedation, and always able to communicate anything they are feeling. And, because Liposculpture uses only local anesthetic, patients are less likely to experience adverse reactions. Gentle and minimally invasive, most patients are on their feet the next day, and enjoying their new body in no time.

For more information on Liposculpture, contact Pacific Lipo at (858) 427-8899. To ask Rod Davis, Physician Assistant a question – email rod@pacificlipo.com.

Inner Thigh Lipo

When stubborn fat accumulates between the thighs, this can lead to uncomfortable rubbing and chafing. It can also be a problem on the outer thighs or "saddlebags", making it difficult for the individual to find clothing that they fit comfortably into. The patient in this set of photos treated her inner thighs with liposculpture. There is a noticeable improvement in her shape and skin just 4 days and 4 weeks after her procedure.

For more information about the liposculpture procedure and if it is right for you call (858) 427-8899.  Ask for a complimentary consultation with liposculpture specialist, Rod Davis, PA-C. 

Tummy Tuck Alternative

Author Rod Davis, PA-C

In any consultation, I want to give patients realistic expectations of what the liposculpture procedure can do for them.  I initially told this patient that she may be happier with a tummy tuck in addition to lipo. I also mentioned that there was a good possibility her skin would remain somewhat loose even after a perfectly performed lipo procedure.  She did not want to undergo an invasive procedure like adominoplasty (tummy tuck) and finally chose lipo as an alternative.   In just 6 weeks this patient enjoyed dramatic results and was thrilled with the outcome.  Her results continued to improve.

"...Let me tell you when i went for my consultation i was very [embarrassed] for Rod to see my stomach,because it was something that was very difficult to show people, but Rod made me so comfortable,and advised me that he would be able to help me,but wasn't sure of the results that would come but assured me that I would see a difference. Right away I scheduled my procedure I had lipo done on October 8th. and let me tell you that this was the best money that we have ever spent!!!! .... I am now 4 months post lipo and I felt it was time to share this because the results that I have had are unbelievable, I am in shock at the results that I have,and I can actually wear tight fitting shirts now rather then wearing big shirts to hide my stomach..i just can't say enough about Rod and his staff they have absolutely changed my life!!!!!!!"

  -Robyn G. on Yelp.com

Contact a liposculpture specialist to learn more about the liposculpture procedure and if it is the right fit for you.  Visit www.PacificLipo.com to schedule a free consultation with Rod Davis, PA-Certified, or to submit a Virtual Consultation.

View more before and after photos of abdominal liposculpture in 

Pacific Lipo's Photo Gallery.

Male Breast Reduction for Gynecomastia

Men want to look their fittest and their best. But a male hormonal condition called Gynecomastia can lead to the accumulation of fat behind the nipples that gives the enlarged appearance of breasts. Now there's help for active men who despite regular diet and exercise, cannot rid themselves of this stubborn and embarrassing, rarely-talked-about condition.

Male chest liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for men. Pacific Liposculpture's state-of-the art liposuction procedure enables men to now get the chiseled chest and pecks they have always desired.  Pacific Lipo uses the liposculpture technique to safely and permanently remove these fat cells, reducing the size of the breast and improving the shape.  

Occasionally, for more severe cases, liposculpture is combined with excision of the breast gland for the treatment of Gynecomastia; however, most of our clients are extremely happy with their outcome without having the more invasive excision procedure of the breast gland. 

The male chest liposuction procedure takes about 60-90 minutes to complete.  With this advanced technique, patients are able to remain awake during the procedure and drive themselves home afterwards.  Little to no downtime is required and most patients return to work just a few days after procedure.

For more information about the liposculpture procedure for the male chest, schedule a consultation with liposculpture specialist Rod Davis, PA-C, at Pacific Lipo.  Consultations are free and allow for you to learn more about the liposculpture procedure and if it is right for you.

View more Before and After photos of Chest Liposculpture here.

Local Anesthesia vs. General Anesthsia

Author Rod Davis, PA-C, Director of Surgery at Pacific Lipo

Liposculpture under local anesthesia is the safest way to have liposuction. However, there are some people who may find it more uncomfortable than most other patients. I once performed a procedure on a patient who shared with me (after starting her procedure) that she always has difficulty when going to her dentist and requires multiple injections of the anesthetic to complete her dental procedures. Such people are commonly referred to as “lidocaine resistant” and may have a more comfortable experience if they were under general anesthesia (sleeping). However, general anesthesia is less safe and much more expensive. There were a handful of times when we stopped for a few minutes to add extra anesthetic during this person’s procedure but this is expected. She was still able to complete her procedure and even drive herself home afterwards. She scheduled another procedure in our office immediately afterwards. :)

Many members of our staff, including myself, have had a liposculpture (lipo) procedure. Most patients anticipate that lipo will not be a completely pain-free event for every patient but neither is laser hair removal, waxing, Botox, dental procedures, etc. So like many other procedures, one should have some expectation of momentary discomfort but most patients are pleasantly surprised.

The numbing phase tends to be the only uncomfortable part but normally just last for 5-10 minutes. Anyone can view website videos of actual patients having the same procedure that this person had but they are clearly comfortable and experiencing no pain while having their problem areas reshaped. Please visit Pacific Lipo's YouTube Channel to see patients having a procedure.

As for the incisions, we do not use stitches which allows for a couple of days of drainage (lessens swelling and bruising). Therefore, the incisions are still a little stretched immediately following the procedure. They normally heal about the size of a freckle and sometimes fade significantly but that takes some time. The incisions do shrink, bruising does fade, and the discomfort usually passes after a 2-6 weeks. To view before and photos of what incisions and results may look like immediately after our procedures (1 week later, 1 month, and several months after) , please visit Pacific Lipo's Photo Gallery.

Consultations are free and pricing is all-inclusive.  Please call a Pacific Lipo Patient Coordinator at (858) 427-8899 for details or to scheduled a complimentary consultation.

A Few Reasons Why Liposculpture Results May Be Less Than Perfect

Author Rod Davis, PA-C, Director of Surgery, Pacific Lipo

There are many different reasons that someone may end up with less than perfect results from a lipo procedure.  He or she may have looser skin or pre-existing stretch marks which is a sign that the desired amount of post-liposuction skin tightening may not be possible.  Some people may have had prior surgeries with large amounts of scarring which could significantly limit the potential for smoothness after a lipo procedure.  Some patients may not have followed important aftercare instructions or follow-up regularly with office visits/phone calls as instructed.  Some patients do not continue to exercise or diet afterwards to ensure optimal results.  As with any procedure in any office, results may vary.

Before/After Abdominal Liposculpture by Rod Davis, PA-C

I invite anyone to view Pacific Lipo's Before and After Photos to get a better idea of how results do vary for patients with different body types, prior surgical scars, varying degrees of skin laxity, etc.  Although results may vary, one can still appreciate the significant improvement that may be achieved when the procedure is performed by an experienced liposuction specialist.  That being said, patients must keep in mind that not everyone will be completely thrilled with their results, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the technique used by the liposuctionist was poor.  Sometimes our bodies don’t heal as nicely as we would all hope.  The goal of any lipo procedure is to help every patient look much better but unfortunately not every patient will feel better despite all reasonable efforts.

Before/After Chest Liposculpture by Rod Davis, PA-C

Contact Pacific Lipo for a free consultation with our specialist Rod Davis, PA, Director of Surgery.  Lock in our Spring rates while they last. 858.427.8899 or visit www.pacificlipo.com to view before and after photos of actual patients.

There is only one Pacific Lipo and we are located in San Diego, CA. So don’t be fooled by our competitors! Call today to speak with one of our Patient Coordinators (858) 427-8899.

To ask Physician Assistant Rod Davis a liposuction question – email rod@pacificlipo.com. Rod Davis is the Director of Surgery at Pacific Liposculpture in La Jolla, California. To view before/after photos of Rod’s work, visit the photo gallery @ www.pacificlipo.com.

Tumescent Lipo - Are You A Good Candidate?

Author Rod Davis, PA-C, Director of Surgery, Pacific Lipo

Tumescent anesthesia liposuction can be of great benefit for most people who have fatty deposits in areas of their bodies that have not responded well to dieting and exercise. However, the best candidates for tumescent liposuction are active, healthy persons of average weight and good skin tone, and who have never had a lipo procedure to the same body part. Overweight individuals can also benefit from tumescent liposuction, especially if they are in the process of exercising and losing weight. The tumescent liposuction technique should be judiciously used in the morbidly obese. Ideal patients have committed to healthier habits and do not consider liposuction to be a substitute for exercising.

Your liposuction specialist should listen to your goals of the treatment to better ascertain whether you have realistic expectations for what liposuction can and cannot do. It is best that liposuction patients have no significant medical problems. Age by itself is not a significant factor in tumescent liposuction.

The best way to know if you are a good candidate for tumescent lipo is to schedule a consultation with a tumescent liposuction specialist. Consultations allow for you to learn about the procedure and for you to develop realistic expectations.  

For more information on Liposuction in San Diego, California, please contact Pacific Lipo at (858) 427-8899.

To ask Physician Assistant Rod Davis a liposuction question – email rod@pacificlipo.com. Rod Davis is the Director of Surgery at Pacific Liposculpture in La Jolla, California. To view before/after photos of Rod’s work, visit the photo gallery @ www.pacificlipo.com.

Is a Revision Lipo Procedure the Right Choice for You?

Author Rod Davis, PA-C, Director of Surgery, Pacific Lipo

Have you had a prior liposculpture or liposuction procedure that didn’t quite meet the expectations that you were hoping for? There may be several reasons for this. You may have had unrealistic expectations to begin with despite your experienced liposuctionist explaining the limitations of the procedure and the individual challenges presented by your body type or skin tone prior your to surgery. It could also be due to the need for a completely different kind of procedure that would address a problem that additional lipo could not correct (ie., tummy tuck/abdominoplasty). Or it may be due to the need for an additional lipo treatment to the same area commonly called a “touch-up” or “revision” procedure. Fortunately, in most offices that specialize in liposuction, this is not a common procedure. However, specific indications for this kind of procedure depend on the physical appearance of the problem areas, the degree of laxity in one’s skin, subsequent weight loss or gain following your procedure, or changes in exercise patterns, etc. A touch up procedure is normally a quicker procedure re-using some or all of the same incisions. The aftercare is often easier and more manageable as well.

Speak with your liposuction specialist honestly regarding your expectations prior to any procedure. Following your procedure, return to the liposuction office or at least contact them on a regular basis to discuss how things are healing and anything that may be done to optimize your results. Try to follow the advice that is given to you without deviating on your own. Once healed, if you have not noticed the improvements that were discussed prior to your procedure, communicate that to the office which performed your procedure. Perhaps a simple touch up procedure would help you to achieve the results that you had originally hoped for.

For more information on a Liposuction Specialist in San Diego, California, please contact Rod Davis PA at Pacific Lipo (858) 427-8899. To ask Physician Assistant Rod Davis a liposuction question – email rod@pacificlipo.com. Rod Davis is the Director of Surgery of one of the leading liposuction clinics in the country, Pacific Liposculpture in La Jolla, California.

To view before/after photos and patient video testimonials regarding Rod’s work, visit the photo gallery  at www.PacificLipo.com

Is Laser Liposuction the Right Choice for You?

Author Rod Davis, PA-C, Director of Surgery, Pacific Lipo

In our increasingly beauty obsessed society, it seems like more of us are choosing to seek out cosmetic surgery to improve any flaws (whether real or perceived). Of these cosmetic procedures, one of the most popular is Laser Liposcuction (also knows as Laser Lipo, Smart Lipo or Lunchtime Lipo).

Laser liposuction involves the use of a laser to “melt away” fatty deposits and then tightens the surrounding skin. This technique was first discovered in Europe and has recently become FDA approved for use in the USA. Laser liposuction has been used for the past 10 years in South America, Europe and Asia. The procedure is typically done in an office setting and does not require the use of a general anesthetic. A very small cannula, or tube, approximately 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm in diameter containing a laser fiber is inserted into the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth delivering the laser’s energy to the fat cells, causing them to rupture and easily drain away. The fluid released from the fat cells is removed by the body’s natural waste system. The laser also causes small blood vessels to coagulate immediately on contact, thus resulting in less bleeding and bruising.


Some liposuctionists report that one of the advantages of laser liposuction is the fact that the probability of scarring, muscle damage, or pain tends to be smaller than more traditional liposuction methods. As a result, the patient is usually able to return to work within 48-hours. One of the disadvantages of laser liposuction is that it may only be useful on a limited variety of body areas. These body parts include the neck, face, and arms. Some patients do not report a dramatic enough difference in their shapes or skin tightening following laser liposuction is used in other areas such as the abdomen, thighs, back areas, or the love handles.  This may be due to today’s lasers not being quite aggressive enough in creating a significant change in the thickness of the fat deposits for most body types. There is also some doubt among liposuction specialists as to exactly how effective laser liposuction is when it comes to skin tightening. That being said, laser liposuction can be an effective procedure for a small portion of liposuction candidates.

Pricing of this procedure varies a great deal depending on how much fat you want removed, which body part is being treated, or which office you seek treatment in. Patients who are interested in this procedure should seek treatment in a facility that specializes in liposculpture. It is much more likely that their results will be better compared to other less experienced offices and the pricing often times is more affordable. Pricing to selecting any method of liposuction, one should contact a liposuction specialist to find out what this procedure can do for their particular problem area.

For more information on Liposuction in San Diego, please contact Pacific Liposculpture at (858) 427-8899. To ask Rod Davis, Physician Assistant a liposuction question – email rod@pacificlipo.com.

Rod Davis, PA-C, Director of Surgery at Pacific Lipo

The Director of Surgery for Pacific Liposculpture, Rod Davis, is a Professional Physicians Assistant (PA). In his role with the San Diego, California-based clinic, he performs consultations; engages in various outpatient liposculpture procedures; liaises between directors, physicians, and staff; and generally supervises all aspects of the Pacific Lipo surgical department. Board certified as a PA for nine years, Rodney Davis is licensed to practice in both California and New York State, and has trained physicians and other PAs on the art of liposculpture. 

Having performed over 15,000 liposculpture procedures to date, Rod Davis maintains particular expertise across tumescent anesthesia and laser-assisted liposculpture. He has employed lipo treatments for a variety of satisfied clients, including athletes, lawyers, physicians, and even a number of coworkers. View Before and After photos of his work here. 


Rod holds a BS through Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and commands extensive training as a Physicians Assistant. He attended Touro College, ultimately earning a BS through the Bayshore, New York-based PA program. Following this, he acquired specialized training and diverse professional experience through a series of medical and cosmetic surgery-oriented positions. 

Rod Davis maintains PA accreditation through the National Commission on Certification of Physicians Assistants. A member of the California Academy of Physicians Assistants, he also holds certification through the DEA, sustains CPR accreditation through the American Heart Association, and carries ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) infectious disease certification. In addition to his work as a Physicians Assistant, Rod also maintains a rich array of personal interests. He regularly supports charitable initiatives such as the American Red Cross and Elijah's Promise Soup Kitchen and contributes to organizations like The Salvation Army and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. On top of fishing and traveling, Rod is an avid reader and plays basketball and racquetball when time permits. 

Watch Rod perform the liposculpture procedure on Pacific Lipo's YouTube channel or visit www.RodDavisPA.com for his full bio and professional works.