Is TIVA or General Anesthesia Safer for a Tummy Tuck?

I am healthy, thin, 31 years old and plan on getting a tummy tuck with muscle repair. I have heard waking up from TIVA is a lot easier and doesn't cause nausea like general anesthesia does. I've also heard it's safer because you continue to breathe for yourself. But most doctors don't offer this option. So which is better and safer?

Tags:

anesthesia

Comment on this

6 Doctor Answers | Asked by greengirl32 in Morris, MN

Doctor Answers (6)
Community Comments (0)

TIVA is better and just as safe.

Dear Greengirl32, TIVA is better than inhalation anesthesia because of lower nausea and vomitting, less GI complaints, and faster recovery from anesthesia after the surgery. Dr. Tholen and I are partners and co-owners of our surgery center. We have performed thousands of procedures here using the TIVA technique and have data to support our claims. I would encourage you to call for a complimentary consultation so that you may see our facility in person. Check out the link below. Good luck... more

TIVA and inhalation anesthesia are BOTH safe . . . but TIVA is better!

As a fully-trained and American Board of Surgery-certified (now lapsed--no longer practice as a general surgeon since my sub-specialty training in plastic surgery) surgeon, and American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeon in practice for 24 years, I have been on numerous hospital staffs over the 31 years since I graduated from medical school. As an operating surgeon and plastic surgeon for all of those years, I have witnessed many anesthetics being delivered in a hospital... more

Anesthesia for tummy tuck

The type of anesthesia used for a tummy tuck can vary and is determined by the comfort of the surgeon and the anesthesiologist. Both intravenous and general anesthesia can be used successfully. The advantages of IV anesthesia are less drugs, quicker recovery, and far less chance of post-operative nausea and vomiting. An additional option is the addition of a spinal block or an epidural. Both can be used effectively for outpatient surgery by qualified anesthesia providers. more

Safer anesthesia for tummy tuck

All forms of anesthesia can be safe for tummy tuck if well monitored, provide excellent pain control, and also give adequate relaxation for muscle repair when required. We favor general anesthesia with a soft laryngeal mask for most and patients do breath on their own. The nausea which can be associated by inhalation agents in anesthesia can be controlled with medication for those that tend to have nausea as not all do. And narcotics in sedation techniques can also cause nausea. Better comes... more

General anesthesia is very safe for health patient

Mac anesthesia is great for short cases but for full tummy tuck you may better off with general anesthesia. If you have Mac anesthesia your surgeon has to compromise on the extent of dissection and muscle work. If you need only skin removal , then local anesthesia with IV sedation be fine.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

I'm not sure there is a lot of difference.

Both ways of doing it are good. Some anesthetists and anesthesiologist can do TIVA with an endotracheal tube and relaxation, others would prefer a general. Either way the muscles need to be relaxed to get an adequate muscle tightening. I have done them both ways and they both work. Doing heavy sedation and local can also be done, but I don't feel as if I get as good a muscle repair in these instances. Good Luck, Dr T