Epidural with IV Sedation for Tummy Tuck, Will I Wake Up?

Both types of anesthesia are safe and commonly practiced. The chances of waking up during a procedure using IV sedation are extremely low and should not be much of a concern. But this is mostly dependent upon the anesthesia provider and how attentive they are during the procedure. I personally use IV sedation in my practice and have never had an anesthetic or recovery problem. I have the capacity to use general anesthesia in my surgical suite but believe that the recovery process is easier with a well administered deep sedation. 

Both anesthetic options work for tummy tuck.  Surgeons will have a preference for anesthesia, but those who use epidural and sedation are generally comfortable with this approach.  Depending on what form of sedation is used, you should have no awareness of being in the operating room.  Bear in mind that both general and epidural/sedation are safe when done in an accredited operating room with board certified anesthesia and surgeons.

Sorry...I never do TT under epidural....but hopefully doctors who do them that way will let you know if they ever see patients "wake up" during surgery....

Thanks for the question. Either anesthesia technique works well, depends on the surgeon's training and preference. In my practice I've been doing tummy tucks with extensive liposuction under IV sedation and epidural anesthesia since 1996 without one untoward event. I prefer this over general anesthesia, since the epidural relaxes the abdominal muscles and I can do a better tightening with improved results. I also use tumescent solution infiltration, since I do extensive liposuction with my tummy tucks and we keep the epidural level at just below the breasts. This allows me to do liposuction around the lower rib cage without the patient feeling it. Also, I find that my patients rarely get nauseated or vomit from this type of anesthesia as opposed to general anesthesia. My patients go home within half hour after completing the surgery and do not require 2-3 hours of recovery as is routine with general anesthesia.

Thank you for your question.I perform tummy tuck surgery in an out patient surgery center, and under general anesthesia only.  I use Board Certified Anesthesiologist who monitor my patients from start to end so as to provide the safest environment for my patients.  Abdominoplasty is an extensive procedure and I would recommend general anesthesia so that you are as comfortable/safe/immobile as possible during the procedure.I hope this, and the attacked link, helps.