Local anesthesia for Liposuction?

Dear Kristina0929,

Thank you for your question. While small-volume liposuction under local anesthesia can be safely performed in select cases, removing larger amounts of fat or addressing multiple areas under local anesthesia carries significant risks, including lidocaine toxicity and even death. These risks increase with prolonged procedures or when multiple areas are treated simultaneously.

For safety, major liposuction procedures should be performed in an accredited operating room under the care of an anesthesiologist. Alternative anesthesia options, such as regional anesthesia or epidural blocks, may provide effective pain management while avoiding general anesthesia. These options should be discussed with your plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist to ensure a safe and tailored approach to your procedure.

Splitting procedures over several sessions could be a safer alternative if you're averse to general anesthesia, but each case requires careful evaluation. Your safety should always be the top priority.

Dear kristina0929,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, it is possible to perform liposuction under local anesthesia. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello it is Dr. Hong from Fresh Clinic, South Korea. In Korean it is very common to perform liposuction under local (sleeping sedation) anesthesia .