Shaking from Tumescent Fluid During Liposuction?

asked 3 years ago by SpunkyOne in Phoenix, AZ
Latest answer by Peter Marzek, MD
Question viewed 2,093 times

I recently had Smart Lipo and during the administration of the tumescent fluid, I began to shake. I was told it was due to the epinephrine but oddly enough, not one person had mentioned this side effect to me even though they all knew I have a history of panic disorder. I was told EVERYONE gets the shakes. I have read many reviews and only one person makes mention of this side effect. Of all the online videos I've seen of Drs performing Smart Lipo, not one patient appears to be in any distress.

Is it normal for one to have these shakes that last for 5-10 minutes? Would taking Klonopin have helped me? The 7.5 mgs of Valium didn't help me. I have another procedure next month and I do not want to have convulsions again! What can I or my Dr. do to help make this a better experience?

10 answers to Shaking from Tumescent Fluid During Liposuction?

Shaking with liposuction

The shaking you experienced was not a "convulsion", as you listed, but rather a normal physiological reaction of you body trying to keep warm. The injected fluid makes your body cooler, and the epinephrine in the solution vasoconstricts your skin cappillaries so blood flow is reduced. This combination can lead to shaking "chills", especially if you are somewhat nervous during the procedure. Though it is really nothing to worry about (assuming you are... more

Peter Marzek, MD
Leesburg Plastic Surgeon

Tumescent Lipo

First, these are not convulsions; they are likely a side effect from the epinephrine. We like to use 20mg of Valium, 50mg of Hydroxyzine, and this seems to keep people very comfortable. Try to take the meds 30 minutes prior to the procedure so it will have time to work.

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon

Normal reaction to epinepherine in liposuction fluid

You had a normal reaction to the epinephrine - just as if your own body had produced a larger amount of it in a stressful situation. Next time, keeing your body warm may help, as may using a lower dose of the epinephrine (if possible and OK with your surgeon).

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

A warm blanket can cure the shakes

On the rare occasion that someone "shakes" we have always found that a warm blanket helps offset the cold from the room and the fluids. There is a variance of opinion as to whether the fluid should be warmed, as some surgeons feel that cool helps reduce swelling and bruising.

Christopher J. Peers, MD
South Bend Facial Plastic Surgeon

The shakes during liposuction

This a quite frequent occurence. The reasons are: cooling from the tumescence solution and the epinephrin in the solution. Keeping a patient warm during the procedure helps.

Robert Kasten, MD
Mainz Dermatologic Surgeon

Shaking during liposuction with tumescent anesthesia

Epinephrine can definitely make someone shake, but not everyone has this side-effect. It is important to note that this is NOT an allergy to epinephrine, but a normal side-effect. You mention that you are having this procedure done again in a few months, so you're worried about the shaking happening again. If you seeing a board-certified plastic surgeon (not a "cosmetic surgeon"), you would have the option of going to the OR and having your procedure done under... more

Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Shaking during tumescent Liposuction from fluid being cold

If room temperature fluid is used, it can cool the body down to a point that you will shake. This can be rectified by heating the fluid or turning the temperature of the room higher. It might also be related to the epinephrine in the solution. In any case, it is usually self limitted and should not be a problem as long as the proper dosing of lidocaine is adhered to.

Steven F. Weiner, MD
Pensacola Facial Plastic Surgeon

Recovery process after liposuction

Liposuction is a popular and very effective procedure to recontour the body. When we performed the procedure, we typically add water mixed with medication into the tissue before we begin the liposuction. This fluid allows us to remove fat safely and more effectively. After the surgery, patients can expect to have some drainage from the liposuction incisions of this fluid. When a patient is receiving like a suction, we carefully monitor their vital signs and close of the fluid that they... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Numbing medicine can or should be warmed

Shaking usually occurs because the person is cold. The main reason I have seen for shaking during liposuction is that not enough care has been given to patient comfort and warmth. It would be easy to have a room and numbing fluid that are relatively cool. Also take into consideration the fact that patients are partially unclothed during the procedure. The abdomen, waist, or legs may be open to the air and wet from excess numbing fluid. The way we handle this is to try to address each of... more

T. Wayne Day, MD
Nashville Dermatologic Surgeon

Shouldn't be too concerned if shaking wasn't a big problem

My first response is to ask you whether the shaking was a big problem for you. If it was just an annoyance, then I wouldn't get too concerned about it. Because Valium usually works quite well in patients with anxiety and even seizure disorders, it is a great first drug. Klonopin is definitely a medication specifically used for seizures, but also has a few more unfavorable side effects, making it less than ideal as a first line drug. Another good option is to eliminate the epinephrine from... more