Is It Possible to Have a TT Done Using Local Instead of General Anesthesia?

asked 10 months ago by JoBibbi
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 459 times
Tags: anesthesia, local anesthesia, pros and cons

If so, what are the advantages/disadvantages?

9 answers to Is It Possible to Have a TT Done Using Local Instead of General Anesthesia?

General Anesthesia is the Safest Choice for Tummy Tuck

No, it is not possible to perform tummy tuck safely under local anesthesia because too much local anesthesia would be required to make you comfortable. When large amounts of local anesthesia are used they can be toxic for your brain and heart. General anesthesia blends several types of anesthesia including short acting inhaled agents and medications through and IV line to give you a safe, effective anesthesia for a tummy tuck. With today's short acting medications... more

David L. Mobley, MD
Sarasota Plastic Surgeon

sarasotaplasticsurgery.com

Local anesthetic for a tummy tuck

Many questions do not have a simple answer. This one does. NO Theoretically it is possible, however, it would be a nightmare and would cause a lot of tension in the room leading to anxiety for everyone and a sub-optimal result. General anesthesia is very safe unless you have some severe medical conditions which would also preclude the surgery under local anesthesia. Many procedures can be performed under local. Tummy tuck is not one of them. All the best... more

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

General anesthesia is usually best for tummy tuck

General anesthesia is usually the safest and most comfortable for abdominoplasty (tummy tuck.) It is of course important to have the procedure done in an accredited facility so that you know the anesthesia provider is qualified. General anesthesia has been innaccurately portrayed as being more dangerous than local, but too much local anesthetic can be dangerous and a lot would be required to do a tummy tuck.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Anesthesia for Tummy Tuck

A full tummy tuck is usually done under general or possibly sedational or regional anesthesia. The procedure usually involves tightening of the abdominal wall muscles and would require an adequate anesthetic. A Local anesthetic would not provide the level of anesthesia necessary. It may be possible to do a mini tummy tuck under local , however, sedational anesthesia may be a better option here as well.

Stephen Delia, M.D.
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Local Anesthetic For Tummy Tuck Too Dangerous

You probably think that a local anesthetic is safer that a general anesthetic. This is not always the case. In order to provide adequate anesthesia for a full tummy tuck, a toxic amount of local anestetic would be required. It is probably possible to have your tummy tuck performed with a regional anesthetic (spinal, epidural, etc.); bit, I think, here again a general anesthetis would be safer for most patients.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Talk under Local Anesthesia?

Yes, it is possible to do the tummy tuck surgery under local anesthesia but I would not advise it. Undoubtably, patients will be much more comfortable ( during the extensive surgery) under general anesthesia compared to local anesthesia. I prefer to do the procedure under general anesthesia with the help of a board certified anesthesiologist. Best wishes. see video

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Tummy Tuck under local is possible...but not advisable.

There are many operations that can be done under local anesthestic, that probably should not be. Abdominoplasty is one of them. For optimal results, patients should be asleep during tummy tucks.

Kevin Brenner, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

General anesthesia is a better and safer choice for Tummy Tuck

Fear of general anesthesia is unfounded. In many ways it offers safer surgical envoirnment for surgery when compared to local anesthesia. Tummy Tuck will be a better Tummy Tuck when done under general anesthesia. Find a good plastic surgeon and leave anesthesia choice to him. Don't choose your doctor based on your anesthesia preferences since you will be misguided in doing that.

Vasdev Rai, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Do not have a tummy tuck under local anesthesia only.

A tummy tuck involves large incisions, muscle tightening, and takes several hours. The amount of local anesthetic which would be required to make this comfortable is more than you could safely give a person. General anesthesia is very safe and allows for a controlled operating environment. If you have concerns regarding general anesthesia, you can always meet your anesthesiologist a few days before surgery to discuss and allay your fears.