Fearful of Pain During Fully Awake Smart Lipo?

In early November I will having Smart Lipo on waist and abdomen. I will be fully awake and I am more afraid of pain during than the recovery! Is percocet and valium enough for a pain baby? Is IV conscious sedation an option for the fearful?

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abdomen pain awake

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by schoolnurse1

Doctor Answers (5)
Community Comments (3)

Pain with Smartlipo

At our facility more than 90% of patients undergoing Smartlipo have the procedure done with oral sedation alone which is what you would have with percocet and valium. Because we have an adjacent surgical facility our patients have the option of having IV sedation, but really few require it. We usually reserve it for patients who are nervous even with having their blood drawn or having an IV. Unless you take percocet and/or valium regularly for related conditions it is... more

Local anesthesia isn't alway enough for Smartlipo

Smartlipo can treat small areas with local anesthesia. As a rule of thumb, one can treat an area about the size of two of the patient's hands at one sitting with local anesthesia and pills. Larger than that and comfort may be an issue and may limit the completeness of the lipo. Especially if you are very sensitive to pain, you should consider more complete anesthesia such as iv sedation, monitored anesthesia care, or even general. If your doctor can't offer these options you may want to get... more

Local anesthesia and SmartLipo

Having SmartLipo on local anesthesia is normal. You will be awake during the procedure but the areas you are having treated will be completely numb.

Bruce Katz, MD

9 reviews

New York Dermatologic Surgeon

www.juvaskin.com

Local anesthesia and SmartLipo

For most people, local anesthesia with oral sedation is enough to make them comfortable during the procedure. There are exceptions of course. These exceptions can be based on the areas to be treated, the amount/length of the treatment, and the patient's previous experiences. If you are really that nervous about the procedure, make sure you talk to your surgeon as IV sedation may be a better option.

Pain

Of the three surgeons in my area who do laser lipo two of us use local with very light sedation. There is no question the there is some discomfort but, most people feel it is tolerable and worth the cost and inconvenience of general anesthesia

David A. Bray, Sr., MD

6 reviews

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drbray.com

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Comments (3)

MuffinLESS 18 Oct 2012

Hey there...I felt exactly as u r feeling now and if I can do it...ANYONE can...I will not say I didnt feel pain because I did...only here and there...I let dr know and he put in more numbing solution. Everyone is different...some have no pain in procedure and have hard time with recovery...I had more of a difficult time with procedure and recovery not bad at all...You will be fine due to the fluid they put in to numb the areas your having done. Once numb they puncture your skin so the canniola's will fit in to do their work...I didnt even feel the punctures...I will stay the needles they first give u to numb u prior to inserting the lidocaine fluid does pinch and I loudly say OWIEEE...I am 3 1/2 wks post op and doing great with the exception of still swollen....GOOD LUCK and dont worry!! A good doctor will manage ur pain!

schoolnurse1 18 Oct 2012

Thank you muffinless, I'm very excited but scared too. I am a big baby with pain so that is my biggest fear! As a nurse I can give it but can't take it! Lol

schoolnurse1 18 Oct 2012

Thank you muffinless, I'm very excited but scared too. I am a big baby with pain so that is my biggest fear! As a nurse I can give it but can't take it! Lol

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