Is it normal to have general anesthesia for Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that doesn't need to be performed under general anesthesia unless the patient requests it.
In my practice I routinely perform the procedure wide awake under local anesthesia, without pain and without sedation. The procedure takes under 1 hour. Recovery is associated with some days of swelling. Result can start being seen in 3 weeks post surgery.
I only perform buccal fat removal under anesthesia when other cosmetic procedures like facelift, neck lift, fat transfer to the face, chin implant, etc are performed at the same time and the patient requests general anesthesia. 

Hello,     Thank you for your straightforward and useful question. When undergoing cosmetic plastic surgery there are various options for anesthesia. The Surgeons preference is a major influence to the anesthesia you will receive when choosing to have that particular Surgeon perform your case.   However, in my plastic surgery practice, I offer my patients a choice for certain procedures that can be comfortably, carefully, properly and effectively performed using local anesthesia. One particular surgery that can be comfortably, effectively and safely performed using local anesthesia is buccal fat removal. This surgery can be performed using local anesthetic alone, such as going to the dentist for cavity treatment, or more commonly, in addition to the injection of the local anesthetic, would be to provide the patient with some anxiety relieving medication in addition to the local anesthesia. For buccal fat removal, unless my patient specifically requested general anesthesia, I would recommend performing this procedure using local anesthesia. Besides significant cost reduction for the patient, patient recovery is faster when recovering from local anesthesia versus general anesthesia.   Also, while general anesthesia is a safe form of anesthesia, local anesthesia is even safer.  Regarding cost savings for my patient. Let’s say I charge $2750 for buccal fat removal. If performed under general anesthesia, the cost would rise to about $4250. Best regards,Dr  Mitchell

Hi, thanks for your question. Buccal fat removal can either be performed under local or general anesthesia, and neither would affect the healing time. Each surgeon has his or her own protocols when it comes to the surgeries they perform, and they may choose one type of anesthesia over another depending on their patient's medical history and individual needs.  Local anesthesia is generally less invasive than general anesthesia, but in a board certified practice with experienced anesthesiologists general anesthesia is a safe and normal way to go as well. If you have concerns about being put under general anesthesia because of medical or other reasons, don't hesitate to speak to your surgeon, and don't be shy about getting a second or third opinion as well. 

Buccal fat removal can be done using local or general anesthesia. I perform nearly all of mine with local, as this does reduce some of the risks associated with the procedure. The type of anesthesia used will not impact your healing, however. If you are uncomfortable with having general, discuss your concerns with your surgeon to determine whether local might be an option for you. 

The type of anesthesia used during a buccal fat removal procedure will not affect the healing time. It is possible for this procedure to be easily completed under local anesthesia. When this is possible, this can be more preferable, as local anesthesia will be less invasive than a general one.Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Thank you for your question! The type of anesthesia will not affect your healing time. You're correct though, buccal fat removal can be done under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The type of anesthesia is usually chosen by your doctor for your safety and based on their comfort as a surgeon. If you are absolutely opposed to going under general anesthesia, speak with your surgeon to see if they would feel comfortable doing the procedure under local instead.  We commonly perform that procedure under local anesthesia in our clinic. Either way, it's important for you and your surgeon to be on the same page. We wish you the best

Buccal fat pad reduction can be performed under local anesthesia only, local anesthesia and oral sedation, and IV sedation.  General anesthesia can be fine too but not needed in our practice.  Healing is not dependent on the type of anesthesia.  

We do buccal fat pad removal in the office with just a bit of local anesthesia. It is quick and easy to tolerate.  Total time in the office is about 40 minutes!Unless there is a compelling reason for general anesthesia it may not be a necessary.

I do not think you need general. I have had a patient with a severe gag reflex where I had wished it was under general. You should take something like Valium to relax you as it lowers your blood pressure and that makes it so that you have less bleeding/swelling. 

Hi and thank you for your question,In general, anesthesia type depending mainly on the surgeon's and patient's comfort.  The only way it would change the final result is it the surgeon or patient are not comfortable during the procedure.  While we regularly do this surgery under local anesthesia with patients completely awake, if a patient is not comfortable with the thought of having surgery, or would rather not be awake, we offer general anesthesia.  I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck,John Frederick, MD