Tumescent Liposuction is performed using a local anesthetic. A large volume of saline solution containing the anesthetic and epinephrine is injected directly into the areas where there are excessive fatty deposits. Minor sedation may be required for those who are nervous about the procedure, but it is not always necessary. Most patients are conscious and awake during the liposuction procedure.

Tumescent Liposuction consists of making a small incision in the skin by using a number 11 blade, a NoK needle, or a 1.5 mm punch in order to insert a tube that is connected to a vacuum type machine which will suck out the fat. The incision is then widened using a curved hemostat, and then a blunt infusion catheter is inserted to administer the anesthetic. They will either use a pump to direct the anesthetic or a spinal needle. Once the anesthetic has been given, they will insert two tubes to suck out the fat using a technique called suction aspiration. The surgeon using his free hand, sometimes called his "brain hand", can feel the progress of the area inside the skin and determine the endpoint of the surgery.

If the end is near, the surgeon may have the awake patient stand up to judge if certain areas were missed, and begin the procedure again. Though Tumescent Liopsuction uses smaller cannulae than other liposuctions (cannulae are the tubes inserted into the body), there is still a significant chance of bleeding and bruising. Some surgeons tend to suture their patients immediately following the procedure. There is immediate swelling from the anesthetic, and as this swelling decreases, surgical swelling increases and lasts for at least two weeks. An elastic compression garment is worn after the surgery to help the skin contract and heal. The elastic sculpts the bulging areas and helps the skin achieve more pleasing contours.

Like with any surgery, there are some risks and side effects involved with Tumescent Liposuction a patient should watch out for. Risks include: uneven skin contours; rippling or loose skin; skin or nerve damage; irregular pigmentation; infection; fat and blood clots; excessive fluid loss or fluid accumulation; unfavorable scarring; thermal burn or heat injury from an ultrasound used prior to the procedure; risks from anesthesia; bleeding (hematoma); changes in skin sensations; skin discoloration or swelling; asymmetry; persistent pain; damage to deeper structures such as nerves; blood vessels, muscles, lungs, and abdominal organs; poor wound healing; deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications; and possible revisional surgery.

Recovery time from the surgery varies from patient to patient. A select few patients are able to walk out of the office without any assistance and get back to their regular routine within a couple days; however, a normal routine may take longer to get into for a vast majority of others. It takes almost six weeks for any resulting scar to begin to soften and a full year to heal completely. A patient may feel temporary numbness in the treated area because the local anesthetic remains in the tissue. Some patients experience discomfort after the numbness wears off. Physical exercise is not recommended until at least a week or more following the surgery. Some patients experience nausea and grogginess usually associated with the anesthesia.