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Having Lipotuck Done, is 7 Hrs too Long with the Use of Sedation?

asked 6 months ago by jmbfaith in Houston, TX
Latest answer by C. Bob Basu, MD
Question viewed 336 times
Tags: anesthesia, duration, worried

I am neverous about the amount of time I will be under sedation. I know sedation is more safer than a general but it still worries me

18 answers to Having Lipotuck Done, is 7 Hrs too Long with the Use of Sedation?

+1

Length of Surgery, Anesthesia and Patient Safety

I concur with my colleagues regarding their concerns. First, I am not aware of a technically defined procedure called a lipotuck. I'm assuming its a marketing term applied to a case that involves a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and liposuction of the waist/flanks and other areas. Depending on what procedures are exactly being done and how much excess skin/fat needs to be removed, the length of surgery for a tummy tuck and lipo of the waist can range from 2 to 4 hours for... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Red Flags?

Thank you for the question. Your question brings up “red flags” that are concerning in regards to the safety of the planned procedure. Most well-trained well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons will perform this type of procedure under general anesthesia ( where issues such as airway control can be managed most safely). The duration of the planned procedure also raises concerns. I would suggest that you check the credentials/certification/training... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

How long should a tummy tuck take?

Lookng at our photos, I think you may be mistaken about the time it will take to do a tummy tuck. The average time is 2-3 hours. A total body lift may take 7 hours if huge amounts of skin are removed, but that is not your case. If you don't have overlapping skin, a traditional liposuction may be all that is necessary. If you are having a true tummy tuck, and the muscles need to be tightened, that can be quite painful. I expect that you are only having a liposuction with removal of excess... more
E. Ronald Finger, MD

Savannah Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sedation vs General Anesthesia for Liposuction/Tummy Tuck

Sedation is not necessarily more safe than general anesthesia, expecially if high doses of lidocaine are being used over a long period of time to complete the surgery. Whether seven hours is actual surgery time or this factors in the time used for tumescent fluid to be infused and allowed to work is immaterial. That is a very long time for any version of a tummy tuck with or without liposuction and it is unnecessarily so. You have good reason to question this amount of needed time and I... more
Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD

Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

+1

7 hours of sedation

Sedation can be given comfortably for many hours, but so can general. The type of anesthesia used for any surgery is something discussed with your anesthesiologist.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

7 hours under sedation

IV sedation is not necessarily safer. I would not be at all comfortable doing such a procedure under IV sedation. I assume you saw a Board Certiied Plastic Surgeon (one certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Surgery). If you did not, please seek another consultation.
Ann F. Reilley, MD

Baton Rouge Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgerybr.com

+1

Sedation for 7 Hours of Surgery

This depends on the type of sedation, level of sedation and who is providing it. Discuss this with your surgeon and ask if an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist is involved.
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction with abdominoplasty

First of all sedation is not safer than general anesthesia and if someone told you that they are not being truthful. The choice of the best/safest anesthesia for a given patient depends on the procedure, the patient, the surgeon and the anesthesia staff. In some cases it is more dangerous to do a procedure under sedation than general anesthesia. I had one patient who required liposuction years after head and neck cancer surgery and the safest anesthesia for that patient was a spinal block.... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

7 hrs for 'lipo-tuck' under sedation - questionable

You should be nervous. A properly executed abdominoplasty requires for your muscles to be relaxed in order to plicate fascia (suturing that makes your abdomen flatter and brings your waist line in). Please make sure your PS is truly a Board Certified Plastic surgeon. The state of Florida passed a law that no cosmetic procedure should take more than 6 hrs.This was/is to ensure patient safety. Take care, Dr. H
Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Having Lipotuck Done, is 7 Hrs too Long with the Use of Sedation?

I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this! it's a long procedure under General and under sedation, it may be even longer! I would re-group and think about dividing them up or changing anesthesia, which will reduce the time of the surgery as well. And I agree, sedation is not necessarily safer!
John J. Corey, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

LipoTuck

What procedure(s) are you having done? 7 hours for any procedure(s) is a very long time. If you are having a tummy tuck, it should be around 2 to 3 hours max. If you are having some liposuction at the same time, maybe add on an hour or so. However, 7 hours seems excessive. I would seek clarification with your doctor about what exactly is being planned. Good Luck.
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Agree...

Seven hours is a very long time for a sedation case. I also think it is difficult to get the optimal result from a tummy tuck/lipo performed under sedation. I think that general anesthesia that is performed by a board certified anesthesiologist is extremely safe. Make sure the facility is accredited by AAAASF or an equivalent organization. Good Luck>
Brian Klink, MD

Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

www.solanoplasticsurgery.com

+1

What you need to know about surgery time and safety

There is a quiet debate among plastic surgeons about surgery time, in that some routinely schedule 7 hours or longer. I agree with the other respondents that this is too long. To your other point, 7 hours under sedation anesthesia is not going to be safer than general anesthesia, particularly for liosuction procedures. With lipo, there is a numbing solution containing lidocaine that is infused into the fat. (If this is the only anesthesia it is called tumescent.) But lidocaine levels in the... more
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

7 hours of sedation for surgery

No matter what the procedure, seven hours is an extremely long time for sedation anesthesia especially if the procedure is not done in the proper setting. Sedation anesthesia is not necessarily safer that general anesthesia especially when done for this long of a time. For a surgery of this length, you should definitely have the procedure in a certified surgery center or hospital setting that can admit you postoperatively should that become necessary.
Donald Griffin, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lipo and duration

To be blunt, Yes this is way too long for a liposuction procedure. If you are doing many different areas you should reconsider and stage some of the procedures. If you still have questions or concerns get a second opinion. Good Luck
Delio Ortegon, MD

San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

www.sacs-sa.com

+1

Is 7 hours too long for a tummy tuck with sedation

I will apologize in advance for my abruptness, but the short answer to your question is YES!!! First of all, general anesthesia with a board certified anesthesiologist is definitely safer than local anesthesia and sedation without an anesthesiologist. Secondly, most surgeons would be capable of doing a breast lift with implants, a tummy tuck, a waist tighteneng and various liposuction in 5 hours or less. I think you need to rethink your plans. This does not sound at all safe to me.... more
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon

www.drdemarsmd.com

+1

Check out the doctor

I would be more worried about the doctor. In 7 hours I can do at least 3 tummy tucks. Is your doctor a board certified plastic surgeon, is he on staff of a local hospital? Check those things out first.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

How long is too long?

While it is normal to be nervous, it can be a sign that you should ask more questions or ensure that you feel comfortable with the entire surgery. I would make sure that your surgery is being performed by an board-certified anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist who is adequately being supervised by an anesthesiologist. If this is being done at an office-based setting or an ambulatory surgery center, I would make sure that it is certified by the state and AAAASF. I would... more
Tito Vasquez, MD

Southport Plastic Surgeon

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