What to expect from IV Sedated on SmartLipo?

Question

I am seriously considering having Smartlipo on my upper/lower abdomen, flanks, and inner thighs. Because I have issues with panic/anxiety I've opted for IV sedation. This also changed my procedures from being two separate days to doing everything in one. Has anyone experienced SL under IV sedation in terms of helping me figure out what to expect during and after? Had a weird reaction at a past dental appt, major anxiety and dizziness after, could have had a reaction to lidocaine?

Robert M. Lowen, MD · Answer

The safest thing would be to have a general anesthestic for optimum safety and control of pain and anxiety.There is a limit to how many areas can be anesthetized with local anesthetic, and the areas mentioned above, could exceed that limit.  Add anxiety and a history of panic/major anxiety after a dental procedure, and you would not want to experience that during a significant operation like liposuction.Adding IV sedation to try to control that anxiety could increase your risk of respiratory depression or low blood pressure.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I disagree with all the other physicians.  I have been doing lipo for 8 years and have had varying degrees of anxious patients.  To get the best results, its better to have the patient able to move and more aware then you can get with IV sedation or anesthesia.  I still give oral and intramuscular injections to relax and decrease pain, but to get the ultimate results, I'd suggest considering a doctor and staff that can relax you verbally and with pills so that you can get the ultimate in results.  Contouring the body is much harder to do when the patient has difficulty moving to different positions during the procedure.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Daryl K. Hoffman, MD · Answer

Smart lipo is the most common procedure I do.  Four areas under local IV sedation is more than I would recommend. If you are in pain, your doctor won't be able to do a good job. I recommend having an doctor anesthesiologist present to safely sedate you and keep you comfortable. In my practice that would add about $750 for a 2.5 hour procedure. I think that is well worth it for your safety and to allow your doctor to concentrate on doing a great job.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I perform hundreds of liposuction procedures each year, and I perform them with general anesthesia in almost every instance.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

I have done many smart lipos under local, sedation and general. In general, if you know that you get anxious , it is better to have some sort of sedation. If you need multiple areas specially if back or sides are to be done, use general anesthesia for better airway control.

What to expect from IV Sedated on SmartLipo?

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Answer: What to expect from IV Sedated on SmartLipo?

Answer: What to expect from IV Sedated on SmartLipo?

Answer: Liposuction under sedation

Answer: Liposuction under sedation

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What to expect from IV Sedated on SmartLipo?

Answers (5)

Answer: What to expect from IV Sedated on SmartLipo?

Answer: What to expect from IV Sedated on SmartLipo?

Answer: Liposuction under sedation

Answer: Liposuction under sedation

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Smart Lipo

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