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What Are the Benifits of Regional Anesthesia over General Anesthesia for Tummy Tuck?

asked 1 year ago by creampie in East Orange NJ
Latest answer by Kamran Khoobehi, MD
Question viewed 487 times

some drs refer to a Tumescent approach when performing a tummy tuck where only the area being worked on is treated and that this is safer and helps to prevent clotting. are the benifits the same with the regional anesthesia?

9 answers to What Are the Benifits of Regional Anesthesia over General Anesthesia for Tummy Tuck?

+5

Regional, Local, Tumescent or General Anesthesia with Tummy Tuck Surgery

Everything in life has benefits and drawbacks. The same is true in Surgery where we always need to balance the benefits, drawbacks, including potential complications, to our patients. A few definitions of Anesthesia ANESTHESIA = Absence of Feeling (including pain) REGIONAL ANESTHESIA - anesthesia of as REGION of the body (arm, leg, etc). This term comprises many types of anesthesia methods divided by the place where they are applied CENTRAL (EPIDURAL, SPINAL blocks) VS.... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Your doctor should help you with the method of the anesthesia

You and your doctor should discuss the best anesthesia and surgical method based on the surgeons,anesthesiologist, and surgical centers  capabilities. Each methods has its own positive and negative points and your surgeon after careful examination and evaluation would offer you the best.
Kamran Khoobehi, MD

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for Tummy Tuck

Dr. Aldea is totally correct. Although I have the ability to use any type of anesthesia, and vary on occasion, I prefer general anesthesia. I find it much safer, allows me to obtain better results, and has a faster recovery than either regional or tumescent anesthesia. Before you consent to any anesthesia, check the privileges of the surgeon, facility, and anesthesia provider.  
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

None that I know of

I know that some docs seem to promote regional anesthesia:however, I have been using general for years. My patients wake up happy with no pain. As long as the doctor has a certified OR and all the equipment to perform GA and an anesthesiologis -- the I think that general is the way to go.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Risks of clotting with General, Regional or Local Anesthesia.

Although many believe that regional anesthesia is as safe as local in terms of diminished tendency for DVT, it has never been truly proven to the best of my knowledge. To some degree there is pooling of blood with certain regional anesthetics such as a spinal that could actually increase the tendency for clotting. IF you are at high risk for DVT you may want to reconsider the procedure entirely.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for a tummy tuck

Please re-read Dr. Aldea's notes as they are excellent and do not need to be repeated by me.  All I will add is to be aware that many non-plastic surgeons out there cannot get proper anesthesia doctors to work with them so they will resort to local, regional, or tumescent anesthesia.  What is a crime about that is that they try to tell you that they do this because it is "safer" than something like a general anesthetic by a physician anesthesiologist.  That... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia options for tummy tuck

There are 3 basic ways to provide anesthesia for a tummy tuck. When considering the important factors of safety and comfort, most often a general anesthetic is the first choice. A regional anesthetic such as an epidural is another way to go, but you would still need an anesthetist and IV sedation anyway. Tumescent anesthesia is most often used for liposuction, which does not involve the undermining, skin removal, and muscle tightening required for a good tummy tuck (though lipo is real... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Benifits of regional anesthesia over general anesthesia for tummy tuck

Enough stated by Dr Aldea! He hit a HOME RUN. To me there are no benefits using regional anesthesia in preforming a "full" tummy tuck. So why tight the surgeon's hands in getting the best result possible? From MIAMI Dr. B
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Differences between region and general anesthesia

It basically comes down to doctor and patient preference.  Most doctors perform tummy tucks with general anesthesia, meaning that the patient is completely unconscience with a breathing tube inserted.  Regional anesthesia involves using a local anesthetic agent in the area of surgery with the patient awake (sometimes IV sedation is used).  No breathing tube is necessary.  There are pros and cons of each, but from a safety point of view, as far as blood clot, bleeding,... more
Elan B. Singer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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