Use of Reston foam in liposuction.

Use of Reston foam along with a pressure garment after liposuction results in three salutary effects: less waviness in the skin surface, a more comfortable recovery, and less blood loss and ecchymoses. Free fat cells are thought to be redistributed evenly by the pressure of the foam plus the pressure garment. The result is a smoother skin surface with less waviness. Reston foam is also comfortable under the pressure garment and there is less immediate postoperative tenderness. In addition, the use of the foam, in conjunction with the pressure garment, results in less postoperative bleeding and bruising. Consequently, there is also a decrease in the amount of postoperative fall in hematocrit. Since there is less of a drop in hematocrit and hemoglobin, there is also less postoperative anemia. The mechanism involved in the reduction in blood loss is thought to be a combination of overcoming capillary pressure and stabilization of the skin and subsurface blood vessels.