General anesthesia for facial fat transfer?

Question

Please help. My previously trusted PS is trying to convince me to go under general anesthesia for a fat transfer to my face of about 60cc’s. He said without it, he can’t get enough fat. Yes I’m petite at 5’1” and 110 lbs. however I’ve resd accounts of people using less than GA to have fat pulled from multiple donor sites. He said if I don’t do GA, he can only use one donor site (thighs). I’m not ok with that because I don’t want my thighs any smaller. But GA is twice the price. Please help!!!

Sanjay "Jay" Keni, MD · Answer

Hi Iluvelvi,
Unless you're also having large volume liposuction or other concurrent procedures, general anesthesia typically is not required, even if the fat is being removed from a couple different areas.  That being said, it sounds like your surgeon feels more comfortable doing your procedure under general anesthesia.  It is important that you and your surgeon are on the same page before undergoing your procedure.
Best wishes,
Dr. Jay

J. Kevin Duplechain, MD, FACS · Answer

Fat grafting can be performed under tumescent anesthesia without the need for GA.  Although  GA is an acceptable  technique, it is  not required unless there are very specific issues that are not evident in your question.  Once the tumescent anesthesia is administered, most patients are very comfortable for the amount of lipoharvest  you discussed.  Small amounts of local anesthesia are then placed In the face (nerve blocks), and the grafting is completed.

Aniketh Venkataram, MBBS, MS, MCh · Answer

Facial fat grafting is routinely done under local anesthesia. General anesthesia is also an acceptable alternative depending on the patient. Harvesting 60cc of usable fat under local is not a challenge. Surgeons perform liposuction upto 4 litres under tumsecent anesthesia.
I would suggest you visit a plastic surgeon well versed in using local anesthesia techniques

General anesthesia for facial fat transfer?

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General anesthesia for facial fat transfer?

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Everything you need to know about Facial Fat Transfer

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.