General Anesthesia vs. Local for Smart Lipo

Question

I am in my early 40's and in good health. I attended a few consultations for smart lipo for my abs, back, waist and thighs. I was informed I was a good candidate, however I am receiving conflicting advice on anesthesia (general vs. local). Even though I previously had breast augmentation with no problems, general anesthesia frightens me - I am extremely scared of "not waking up"….. Am I being silly??

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

After thousands of liposuctions, I can tell you that you want the surgery done well the first time.  I would always recommend general anesthesia when having multiple areas done as you have suggested.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Gregory Herbich, MD · Answer

Local anesthesia is great for a couple of areas but if you want more general is preferred because there is a limit how much local anesthesia can be safely given. You may want to break it up into two separate sessions if you want just local.General anesthesia is safe if you are healthy. Be sure to get clearance from your doctor.

Daryl K. Hoffman, MD · Answer

That is a lot of areas to do under local. Chose a doctor that can offer both options.  Some don't have the privileges to do surgery under general anesthesia so they offer what they have.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Great question. There are a few issues to be addressed in the basis of your question. 1. SmartLipo has 8 different units available. There are based upon the watts and wave length of energy (joules) to be delivered of the invisible laser beam. The most advanced is the SmartLipo Triplex unit - up to 40 watts with "3" wavelengths of light (1064, 1320, 1440nm). The 1440 nm is by far the most effective based upon medical studies by Dr B DiBernardo, NJ. So you "must" find which doc offers the "TRIPLEX" unit. 2. The # of areas to be treated adds to the used of general vs local due to potential overdosing of local anesthesia. And local for multiple areas adds double the surgery time, thus slightly increasing risks of infection and higher %s of irregular results. PLUS to potential "pain" during the longer operation under local. Here on this RealSelf site of the 6 docs who responded, 5 recommended general anesthesia vs 1 (who BTW was a facial ENT surgeon) recommended local anesthesia. 3. As far as waking up issue, it is far safer to have an anesthesia provider in the procedure than the surgeon alone under local. As the surgeon I "want" to ONLY focus upon the lipo portion not making sure I am hurting you... So in my opinion doing multiple areas needs a general anesthesia.......

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Liposuction can be done using general anesthesia or local. It really depends upon the procedure and the patient. Good luck.

General Anesthesia vs. Local for Smart Lipo

Answers (5)