Does it also matter if the iv sedation comes from a CRNA instead of a anesthesiologist? I've had general anesthesia before but I don't want to do it under general anesthesia. The place where I went told me that iv sedation is a form of general anesthesia. Is iv sedation considered to be safer? Also what do you think are benefits of iv sedation with bbl?
January 8, 2022
Answer: Anesthesia for a BBL I do all of my liposuction and fat transfer procedures with patients awake using a local anesthesia with mild sedation only. Mild sedation means the patient is alert and oriented during the procedure and is able to have a conversation and knows where they are and what’s happening at all times. Not all plastic surgeons have learned how to do these procedures competently without general anesthesia and still keep patients comfortable. The best form of anesthesia is the one recommended by the surgeon you choose. I would pick the most talented and experienced surgeon and follow their recommendations. I spent the first 10 years of practice doing these procedures using general anesthesia and midcareer converted to doing them as awake procedures. There is a very real learning curve to learning how to do these procedures comfortably with patients awake but once mastered it is in my opinion a far better way to do it. One of the biggest advantages to keeping patients awake is that the patient can hold the different positions allowing the surgeon to contour the body in the most efficient way possible. There are numerous other advantages for keeping patients awake during the procedure but the biggest one has to do with allowing the surgeon to get better results. This is my opinion and I’m quite certain that those who use general anesthesia will differ. I have the perspective of having spent 10 years doing these with general anesthesia and without so I feel like I have some position of authority on the subject. Good luck with your upcoming procedure. If it was me and I had a choice of IV sedation or general anesthesia I think I would probably simply ask to be put to sleep. When patients are put face down it’s better to have a controlled airway which is required for general anesthesia but not IV sedation. It can get a little technical but the bottom line is find the right plastic surgeon and follow their recommendations. Best, Mats Hagstrom MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
January 8, 2022
Answer: Anesthesia for a BBL I do all of my liposuction and fat transfer procedures with patients awake using a local anesthesia with mild sedation only. Mild sedation means the patient is alert and oriented during the procedure and is able to have a conversation and knows where they are and what’s happening at all times. Not all plastic surgeons have learned how to do these procedures competently without general anesthesia and still keep patients comfortable. The best form of anesthesia is the one recommended by the surgeon you choose. I would pick the most talented and experienced surgeon and follow their recommendations. I spent the first 10 years of practice doing these procedures using general anesthesia and midcareer converted to doing them as awake procedures. There is a very real learning curve to learning how to do these procedures comfortably with patients awake but once mastered it is in my opinion a far better way to do it. One of the biggest advantages to keeping patients awake is that the patient can hold the different positions allowing the surgeon to contour the body in the most efficient way possible. There are numerous other advantages for keeping patients awake during the procedure but the biggest one has to do with allowing the surgeon to get better results. This is my opinion and I’m quite certain that those who use general anesthesia will differ. I have the perspective of having spent 10 years doing these with general anesthesia and without so I feel like I have some position of authority on the subject. Good luck with your upcoming procedure. If it was me and I had a choice of IV sedation or general anesthesia I think I would probably simply ask to be put to sleep. When patients are put face down it’s better to have a controlled airway which is required for general anesthesia but not IV sedation. It can get a little technical but the bottom line is find the right plastic surgeon and follow their recommendations. Best, Mats Hagstrom MD
Helpful 1 person found this helpful