Awake lipo: I was told that this procedure is pointless and sucks out no fat.

I use general anesthesia for my liposuction procedures, but there are many surgeons who perform awake lipo. This means that they use local anesthetic to make sure that you are numb before doing a liposuction procedure. Whether you are awake or asleep does not affect your surgeon's ability to remove the necessary amount of fat. I would trust in your surgeon's recommendations, as long as you feel that they are experience and that they have photos that demonstrate the results that you desire.

Liposuction under local is the only way to go. You get all the fat you want removed and it is done safely and you actually get a better result since your doc can stand you up and turn you in all positions for the best touching up results.

the safest lipo is one without unnecessary general anesthesia.  Tumescent lipo and appropriate sedation is gold standard and safest allowing for best results.  Based on my 19 years of performing lipo and over 10,000 patients in UCLA UCI Brazil and Beverly Hills I have not had even one patient go through the risk associated with un needed general anesthesia.   The risk of any procedure after considering a surgeon is experienced and qualified is the general anesthesia that Is not necessary particularly for this procedure.  

Dear yoyo216,it depends on the area which should be liposuctioned. If it is only small area, then a local anesthesia can be an option. If you want a more extensive liposuction, then a general anesthesia is a better solution.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

    Liposuction of smaller areas can certainly be performed under local.  For larger areas or for more removal, additional anesthetic options should be considered.