Liposuction: Q&A

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What is the Determing Factor As to What Type of Anesthesia to Use During Lipo Surgery?

I am from VA and I have already spoken to a doc about liposuction on my stomach. After reading more about it since my intinal consutation and actually watching live procedures on line, I noticed the ones I have watched thus far the women were awake whereby the doctor was able to talk to them explaining to them what he was doing as it he was during it. So my question is what determines what type of anasthesia is going to be used on the patient?

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stomach anesthesia type

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by kathy in VA

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Anesthesia for Liposuction

You can probably use local and sedation for all liposuction, but, if you are going to remove a large volume, some patients cannot tolerate this. Thus, you should have the ability to convert to general anesthesia if necessary. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Anesthesia and liposuction

There are many determining factors but for the most part it’s amount and location of fat. If I will be aspirating a very large amount of fat from a patient I will insist on general anesthesia as the procedure itself can be quite painful and uncomfortable for the patient. If someone will be undergoing minimal liposuction in various areas I’m fully on board with local anesthesia. I sometimes also leave the patient a choice if I feel that my liposuction procedure can be... more

Jonathan Berman, MD

Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drberman.com

What Type of Anesthesia To Use With Liposuction

Liposuction can be done with local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. Depending on the surgeon's experience and the patient's preference, each one has its pros and cons. The anesthesia that is used is less important than the skill of the surgeon doing the liposuction. After a couple thousand liposuctions, pretty much any highly motivated and technically skilled plastic surgeon will be able to get the same amount of fat out of any patient's abdomen and do it... more

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One method is not inherently better than the other. Just because a surgeon only does one method or mostly does one method does not mean it is the best for you. Some patients do not respond well to local anesthesia, it just does not work as well on them. Just because a patient can stand up or sit up during surgery does not mean the liposuction result will be better. I have done hundreds without the patient standing up with good results and standing them up would not have changed anything... more

The Best Liposuction Results are usually seen when done under Local Anesthesia

Tumescent liposuction done under local anesthesia with using the smaller micro canulas usually gives the best results because you are able to stand the patients up and have them move in all sorts of positions to assess the results. Typically the smaller the canula, the smoother the results. If you are stuck under gen anesthesia, you are lying flat on the table with limited positioning available. When you lye down, your tummy goes flatter and shifts to the sides and your thighs get squooshed... more

David Hansen, MD

19 reviews

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Anesthesia type for liposuction surgery

Thank you for your question. Liposuction can be done under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. The determining factor is the doctor's and/or patient's preference. Some patients do not want to feel or hear anything, obviously local anesthesia is not for them. Some patients are afraid of general anesthesia because they heard "bad things" about it. The truth is, you have to decide with your surgeon which would be best for you. Each has its advantages and disadvantages... more

Anesthesia for lipo

Liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia (you are awake) or general anesthesia (your are asleep). The decision on which to use is based on many factors including the anticipated length of surgery, the extent of liposuction desired, patient preference, and physician preference. I would recommend that you discuss which option is best for you with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

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