Starting a Liposuction Practice: The Tumescent Liposuction Equipment to Buy First
Nov
A new liposuction practice does not need every cannula in the catalog on day one. It needs one tray that covers infiltration and aspiration, with fat transfer added if you plan to graft, plus spares of the two or three sizes you will use in every case. Buy for the areas you will treat most, then add patterns as your case mix shows you what is missing. You can see the whole range in our liposuction cannulas and accessories.
Tumescent liposuction equipment is the set of instruments used to infiltrate a dilute local anesthetic solution into fat and then aspirate that fat through blunt cannulas. A starting tray holds infiltration cannulas of 1.8 to 3 mm, aspiration cannulas of 2.4 to 4.6 mm in lengths from 15 to 35 cm, handles, tubing adapters and cleaning stylets. Adas Instruments makes these in high quality medical grade stainless steel, with Luer lock, Toomey and threaded hub options.
Key takeaways
- Buy one complete cannula set first, then a second copy of the two sizes you use most, because those are the ones that will be in the sterilizer when you need them.
- Most body cases run on 3 to 4.6 mm Mercedes or three port cannulas, 25 to 35 cm long. The face and neck need 1.8 to 3 mm at 10 to 20 cm.
- Choose one hub system, Luer lock or threaded, before you order anything, so every cannula fits every handle on the tray.
- Get the steel grade, the port finish and the replacement terms from any supplier in writing. Adas Instruments gives a 3 year replacement against manufacturing defects.
What a starting tray needs, stage by stage
Think of the tray in the order you use it in theatre. Each stage below needs its own instruments, and a gap at any one of them stops the case.
| Stage | Buy first | Typical sizes | Where to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infiltration | 2 or 3 infiltration cannulas, an infiltration pump or syringes, tubing and an IV spike | 1.8 to 3.0 mm, 15 to 35 cm | infiltration liposuction cannula |
| Aspiration, body | 4 to 6 cannulas: Mercedes, three port, and one basket for fibrous areas | 3.0 to 4.6 mm, 25 to 35 cm | abdominal cannula set |
| Aspiration, face and neck | 3 or 4 fine cannulas with single or dual ports | 1.8 to 3.0 mm, 10 to 20 cm | facial liposuction cannula set |
| Handles and fittings | 2 handles for each hub type, plus adapters to your aspirator tubing | Match your hub system | Luer lock handle |
| Fat transfer, if you graft | A harvester, fine injection cannulas, transfer adapters and a nano fat filter | 2.4 to 4.0 mm for harvesting | nano fat transfer kit |
| Cleaning | A stylet and a brush for every bore on the tray | One per diameter | Ask for them with the order |
One complete set or single cannulas?
For a first practice, a complete set costs less per piece and arrives matched: every cannula fits the handles in the same box. Our full body liposuction cannula set costs 480 dollars and carries threaded handle cannulas, super luer cannulas, fat injection cannulas, transfer adapters, machine connection handles and a nano fat filter.
If you will mostly treat the abdomen and flanks, the 10 piece abdominal set at 350 dollars is enough to start. It holds Mercedes, Double Mercedes, Cobra K, Candy Cane, spatula, Becker grater and infiltrator patterns.
Then buy singles. Our advice is to order a second copy of your most used cannula on the same order as the set. A practice doing three cases a day will have one in the sterilizer and one on the tray, and running out of the 4 mm Mercedes stops the list. Single Mercedes cannulas cost 32 dollars.
Equip your liposuction tray direct from the maker
Complete sets from 350 dollars, single cannulas from 32 dollars, in 2 to 5 mm and 15 to 35 cm with Luer lock, Toomey and threaded hubs. Clinics and distributors order wholesale, branded or plain.
Choose the hub system before anything else
The hub is where the cannula meets the handle or syringe, and it is the decision that is hardest to undo. Luer lock hubs screw onto a syringe or a light handle and suit fine work and fat transfer. Threaded hubs give a heavier, fixed joint for long body cannulas. Toomey hubs fit large syringes, and MicroAire style hubs fit power assisted handpieces.
Pick one system for the body and, if you graft, Luer lock for the face. Mixing three systems means a drawer of adapters and a nurse hunting for the right one mid case. Our cannula handles guide compares the grips, and the Toomey syringe guide covers syringe work. For power assisted machines, see MicroAire compatible cannulas.
Sizes for the areas you will treat
Buy sizes for your real case mix, not for every area in the book. These ranges come from our liposuction cannula size chart.
| Area | Diameter | Length | Tip to start with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face, jawline, chin | 1.8 to 2.4 mm | 10 to 15 cm | Single port, spatula |
| Neck | 2.0 to 3.0 mm | 12 to 20 cm | Single or dual port |
| Arms | 2.4 to 3.0 mm | 15 to 25 cm | Mercedes, three port |
| Abdomen, flanks | 3.5 to 4.6 mm | 25 to 35 cm | Mercedes, basket |
| Back, outer thighs | 3.0 to 4.6 mm | 25 to 35 cm | Mercedes, basket |
| Fat harvesting | 2.4 to 4.0 mm | 15 to 30 cm | Multi port harvester |
What to ask a supplier before you order
Whoever you buy from, get these answers before you pay:
- Steel grade. Medical grade stainless steel that has been passivated, so it does not stain after the first few autoclave cycles.
- Port finish. Port edges should be smooth to a fingertip run along the outside. A burr catches tissue and holds debris.
- Hub fit. Ask for one cannula and one handle first and try them on your aspirator tubing.
- Cleaning access. A stylet and a brush for every bore, because a cannula you cannot clean is a cannula you cannot reuse.
- Replacement terms. In writing. Ours is a 3 year replacement against manufacturing defects.
- Delivery. Tracked courier and a real lead time. We ship by DHL and FedEx, free over 1,000 dollars on standard items.
In the United States many ambulatory surgery centers buy through a distributor or a group purchasing contract, while smaller practices often buy direct from the maker to get custom lengths and hubs. Both work. Buying direct usually costs less per piece and lets you order odd sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What instruments does a surgeon new to tumescent liposuction need first?
Infiltration cannulas with a pump or syringes, four to six aspiration cannulas of 3 to 4.6 mm for the body, two handles for one hub system, adapters for the aspirator tubing, and a stylet and brush for every bore. Add fine 2 to 3 mm cannulas for the face and neck.
What is the best way to source liposuction instruments for a new practice?
Buy one matched set direct from a manufacturer or through your distributor, test one cannula on your own tubing first, and get steel grade and replacement terms in writing. Then add single cannulas in the sizes your cases actually use.
Should a new practice buy reusable or single use cannulas?
Reusable stainless steel cannulas cost less per case once a practice does more than a few cases a month, and they keep their shape. Single use cannulas save cleaning time but the cost repeats every case. Most new practices buy reusable and replace worn cannulas.
How many cannulas does one liposuction tray need?
A body tray usually runs on six to ten cannulas: two or three infiltrators, four to six aspiration cannulas in two diameters, and a spare of the size used most. A face tray needs three or four fine cannulas of 1.8 to 3 mm.
Where can I buy liposuction instruments online?
Adas Instruments sells liposuction cannulas, sets, handles and fat transfer kits online, direct from the maker, with tracked DHL and FedEx delivery. Clinics and distributors can also order wholesale, with their own marking or plain.
