Must I be under general anesthesia for Liposuction of inner, outer thighs and lower abdomen? Does that mean intubation?

Question

I am a thin woman looking for contouring of the legs and abdomen. I am healthy and never underwent general anesthesia. No drug allergies or family Hx of problems with anesthesia. Thanks!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I perform all my liposuction cases, even large volume cases under local, tumescent anesthesia with moderate sedation in the office.  This is much safer than undergoing general surgery and much cheaper.  There are many options, but I have never had a problem in 100s of cases with adequate pain control during the procedure.  I wish you the best of luck, Dr. Emer.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

If you are going to have a general anesthetic then that involves intubation.  This secures and protects your airway (wind pipe) and is necessary for your safety.  General anesthesia is safe with board certified anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetists.Earl Stephenson, Jr, MD, DDS, FACS

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Liposuction is often done with oral or IV sedation along with the tumescent technique. General anesthesia is available but not necessary.

Michael B. Tantillo, MD · Answer

There are many choices for aneshtesia for liposuction and your surgeon can review them with you at your consultation.  The type(s) eash patient is a candidate for depend on several things including the number of areas to be treated as well as the total volume anticipated to be removed.  Safety is of course the number one priority followed by keeping the patient most comfortable during the surgery and setting the stage for a smooth recovery.  General anesthesia is extrordinarly safe and does not always require intubation.

Elliot W. Jacobs, MD · Answer

We perform nearly 100% of our liposuction procedures using a combination
 of local and intravenous sedation.  Patients are asleep during surgery 
and feel no pain, and they awaken easily and comfortably when the 
procedure is complete.  Intubation is not required, and there's no 
general anesthesia "hangover."
Plastic surgeons and their anesthesiologists tend to use the method they're most experienced and comfortable with.   IV sedation, also known as twilight sedation, requires careful patient 
monitoring and excellent communication between the plastic surgeon and 
anesthesiologist.  We are fortunate to have an exceptionally talented 
M.D. anesthesiologist on our team, and he and I have performed 
liposuction side-by-side for two dozen years.  We prefer this approach 
for the comfort of our patients, and having done surgery this way for so
 long it's most rewarding for us as well.  
I'd
 advise you to look for a practice that not only offers IV sedation, but
 one that performs liposuction this way quite often.  Also, examine the 
credentials of the anesthesiologist as carefully as you do the plastic 
surgeon.Elliot Jacobs, M.D.
New York Plastic Surgeon

Jaime Campos Leon, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.It's best if you speak to your surgeon and anesthesiologist. They can answer all your questions and concerns.Dr. Campos

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Sometimes liposuction can be done without general anesthesia it really depends upon the amount done, and the patient's comfort level. Good luck.

George C. Peck, Jr, MD · Answer

Liposuction of the lower abdomen, inner and outer thighs is usually a one hour procedure under IV sedation or general anesthesia, either with an LMA or endotracheal tube intubation. An LMA is a small cuff in the larynx not in the trachea. So, you don't necessarily need intubation.Your Plastic Surgeon should offer a Board Certified Anesthesiologist and perform the surgery in a Medicare Approved Facility. The total cost of this surgery with the above qualifications is in the range of $4100. If it is necessary to do both the front and back of the thighs, the procedure takes two hours and is in the range of $6000.Hope this helps.

David L. Cangello, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.In my facility I
give my patients the option to have liposuction under local, local with
sedation, or if they prefer, they can have general anesthesia. My practice
pioneered Smart Liposuction, so we perform multiple liposuction cases a week in
our office. I do the vast majority of my cases under local anesthesia
only. I recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon in
consultation to get more specific answers to your questions which can best be
addressed after a thorough history and examination is performed.
Best of luck to you!

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

There are different way to approach anesthesia and sedation for liposuction, and the key is choosing what will make the experience safe and comfortable. General anesthesia is of course an option, but many differing techniques in local and conscious sedation can be tailored to your needs.

Must I be under general anesthesia for Liposuction of inner, outer thighs and lower abdomen? Does that mean intubation?

Answers (13)

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