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Can a Tummy Tuck Surgery Be Done with Local Anesthesia?

asked 3 years ago by lala08 in chicago
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 7,204 times
Tags: anesthesia

I am 34 years old. I am 5'6" and 140 pounds. I had two c-sections and have loose skin on my stomach. I would like to have surgery, but I don't want to be asleep.

Can a tummy tuck surgery be done with local anesthesia? If not, is there any other surgery that only requires local anesthesia that can get rid of the loose skin and give me a flat, sexy stomach?

26 answers to Can a Tummy Tuck Surgery Be Done with Local Anesthesia?

Tummy Tuck and Anesthesia

Tummy tuck could be done with just local anesthetic, but I'd advise against it. Your comfort will be much greater with intravewnous sedation or general anesthesia. If you are uncomfortable during surgery, because you chose local asnesthetic only, your surgeon may not be able to do as good a job.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Abdominoplasty without general anesthesia

As the others have said, abdominoplasties were traditionally done under general anesthesia. That being said, surgeons at Northwestern University have written several articles in the journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, about performing abdominoplasties under "twilight sedation" or conscious sedation and local anesthesia. Since you're in the Chicago area and interested in the topic, I would suggest that you check there. Hope that helps.

Edward S. Lee, MD
Englewood Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Anesthesia?

Thank you for your question. Yes, tummy tuck surgery can theoretically be performed under local anesthesia but I DO NOT recommend it. I perform my surgeries in an out patient surgery center, and under general anesthesi only. I use Board Certified Anesthesiologists who monitor my patients from start to end so as to provide the safest environment for my patients. Abdominoplasty is an extensive procedure and I would recommend general anesthesia so that you are as... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Tummy tuck without general anesthesia

I know I am in the minority on this but I prefer local anesthesia with IV sedation for a full tummy tuck. I am a board certified plastic surgeon, I use only board certified anesthesiologists to administer sedation. I spent the early part of my career doing every tummy tuck with general anesthesia. At the time, I would have believed anyone doing this procedure without a general anesthesia must be compromising on muscle or skin tightening. Having done this procedure... more

York Jay Yates, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

www.yorkyates.com

Yes, Local anesthesia works well for tummy tucks!

Most surgeons were not trained in how to perform a full tummy tuck under local anaesthesia. It works well in the right patient. The muscle can easily be tightened also with local anaesthesia. I have performed this without spinals, inhalational gases or heavy sedation. Nasim Huq, MD

Nasimul Huq, MD
Niagara Falls Plastic Surgeon

Safety First

This is elective cosmetic surgery. The goal should be to minimize your risk of complications and deliver the safest and most natural result possible. Trying to perform a full tummy tuck under local anesthesia is simply too risky and a very unsafe procedure. I would recommend performing this procedure safely under general anesthesia, which carries a very low risk profile with an appropriate surgical workup. Please don't... more

Paul S. Gill, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck under local anesthesia

It sounds as if you would require a full tummy tuck and I generally do not advise these under local anesthesia. However, you could undergo a regional. Discuss the options with your surgeon AND anesthesiologist. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Anesthesia for a tummy tuck

Many people are more afraid of the anesthesia than the surgery, but if done by a qualified provider at an accredited surgical facility then it is probably safer than trying to get by under local, and certainly more comfortable. Your safety and comfort are paramount.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tucks really should not be done under local anesthesia

While some will tout that they can do almost any procedure with some sedation and local, there are some operations that you should be out for. With a tummy tuck, most plastic surgeons will make an incision, tighten the muscles underneath, take off extra skin and fat, and then put you back together, (remembering to bring the belly button where it should go). This really should be all done with the patient out. You don't want to short change yourself. Remember... more

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

www.jjrothmd.com

Best type of anesthesia for tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are best done under general anesthesia. During a tummy tuck, not only is your extra skin removed, but your abominal muscles are tightened as well. It would require a lot of local anesthetic to numb the entire abdomen including the muscles, and local anesthesia in high doses can be very dangerous. I understand many patients have a fear of "going to sleep", but in reality, general anesthesia administered by a qualified practioner is very safe. Unfortunately there are... more

Anita Patel, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck with local anesthesia

While almost any procedure "can" be done with local anesthesia the question is why would you want to. General anesthetics are extremely safe and give good relaxation of the muscles so and adequate repair (and usually better result) can be done. I would be more worried with the amount of sedation needed to adequately perform a tummy tuck using local. Some non-plastic surgeons will say that a local is safer (doubtful) because they do not have privileges that... more

Michael Philbin, MD
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Don't be afraid of anesthesia.

It is very misleading today because of very aggressive advertising by physicians that are NOT plastic surgeons that always seem to throw in the phrase "and you can avoid the risks of general anesthesia". General anesthesia IS safe if administered by someone with the proper training and credentials. Other procedures that are sometimes performed under local anesthesia (ie SmartLipo) do not address the looseness of the muscle and may not be aggressive enough depending... more

Richard H. Fryer, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

Can't tighten the muscles under local anesthesia

One of the benefits of general anesthesia (being asleep) for a tummy tuck is that muscles can be fully relaxed, which allows for more tightening during the surgery. I would not perform a tummy tuck under local anesthesia. General anesthesia is very safe.

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and local anesthesia

A very common request is to have procedures performed under local anesthesia to avoid the fear of "going under." Unfortunately, what many people don't realize is that the amount of local anesthesia required to properly numb a large area such as the abdomen can be unsafe. Lidocaine is the most common anesthetic used for local procedures, and excessive amounts can cause cardiac depression (known as lidocaine toxicity). Although tumescent (as used in liposuction) can... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Ideal anesthesia choice for a tummy tuck

Ideally, a full tummy tuck should be done under general anesthesia. One of the concerns after a tummy tuck is to avoid clots in the legs. If the surgeon is skilled and experienced, than the length of the operation is shortened even if all the necessary deep correction is done, thus reducing likelihoods of getting clots in the legs. In my practice in some patients we do perform a full tummy tuck under local anesthesia with sedation. If properly planned and performed, a... more

Boris M. Ackerman, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and local anesthesia

most surgeons perform abdominoplasty under general anesthesia. the main reason for this is that in a typical tummy tuck, the muscles of the abdomen are tightened. it is difficult to fully anesthetize this deep layer without the assistance of general anesthesia. some limited or mini abdominoplasty procedures can be performed in the office in combination with liposuction under local anesthesia.

Eric Chang, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

A tummy tuck could be done with local anesthesia only but it would be most unwise.

A surgeon can pretty much do any operation with local anesthesia if he has the patience and the patient the tolerance. Most large operations are much better with general or regional anesthesia. It is remarkably safe and makes the operation more efficient with generally better results.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Limiting your anesthesia may limit your results.

When discussing your anesthesia options with your plastic surgeon, be sure to let them know of your concerns and ask them if local or limited anesthesia will allow them to work on your muscles, perform an adequate dissection and give you the results that you are looking for. When looking at plastic surgeons, always check their credentials and make sure that they have hospital privileges as a plastic surgeon. In our community we have seen many patients who were told that the procedures... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Best Anesthesia for a Tummy Tuck

Before picking the tools - we need to define the job. If all we need to do is take a little loose skin from the lower tummy without repairing muscle or moving the belly button higher , the procedure CAN be done under local or tumescent anesthesia. While I respect your reluctance "to be asleep", let's consider the job that needs to be done in you IF you are to have a chance at a good result. Two full term pregnancies have not only resulted in loose tummy skin but have certainly... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck under local

While performing a tummy tuck may be "doable" under local I would not advise it. I think that you would be much more comfortable under deep sedation or general to accomplish your goals.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Small amount of skin removal can be perfomed under local anesthesia

A small amount of skin removal in the lower abdomen can be done under local anesthesia. But a full abdominoplasty can be done with local anesthesia and deep sedation. We do that routinely.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Maybe under a spinal, but not a full tummy tuck

Hello, This really depends upon how much work you need done. The best results will probably be obtained under general anesthesia. Lesser surgery like a mini tummy tuck might be do-able under a spinal. I like the results pretty tight, so I do them pretty much all under a general. Doing your surgery under a less than a general anesthetic could be painful.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

"Gas-Less" Tummy Tuck

Abdominoplasty or "Tummy Tuck" is a general term but covers many different procedures. There is the mini tummy tuck, where the belly button is not cut and you only have a small incision above the private area, to an extended tummy tuck, where the a very extensive overhaul of the belly occurs. Of course, there are procedures in between that combine liposuction. The degree of anesthesia depends on the operating surgeon's comfort level and the patient's comfort level. Ultimately,... more

Julius W. Few, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Your tummy tuck should be done under general anesthesia

Tummy Tucks are probably the most effective way to flatten and contour your abdominal wall following pregnancy because they address not only skin laxity but also separation of the midline muscles. But because we are effectively suturing and bringing these muscles together, you really need more pain relief than local anesthesia will permit. As such, I have always performed all tummy tucks under general anesthesia in an operative setting. This is really the best way to assure the most optimal... more

Gregory A. Buford, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

It sounds as though you need a properly done tummy tuck....

It sounds as though you need a properly done tummy tuck. This is a real operation, not just a procedure, and generally is done with the patient asleep, preferably with a physician anesthesiologist. On some occasions though, it can be done under epidural anesthesia. If it is a tight, flat stomach you want, nothing compares to a tummy tuck!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck procedure: general, local or twilight anesthesia?

The most traditional way to perform the tummy tuck procedure is under general anesthesia. Tummy tuck procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, but is usually not recommended. There are reports of using a twilight anesthesia, but it is usually not utilized when the muscle needs to be tightened (which is most likely your case because of your pregnancy). If you are young and healthy without any heart problems, the risk involved in using general anesthesia is very low. There... more