Liposuction and general anesthesia is safe. When multiple areas are done or if an area is large, it can be difficult to keep a patient comfortable under a local anesthesia. I do all my liposuction cases under general anesthesia as I feel I can do a better job when the patient is asleep and comfortable. I also feel at ease when my patient's airway is protected and they are being monitored. I operate with my husband who is our board certified anesthesiologist and we have been doing this for 20 years without incident. We do screen our patients and make sure they are healthy without major medical problems and increased risks for blood clots. Liposuction under local anesthesia can be unsafe if the patient is not monitored, or if larger or multiple areas are being treated and the lidocaine requirements exceed safe levels. I feel it is important for patient safety to do these procedures in a fully accredited outpatient surgical center with a board certified anesthesiologist.
I dont believe that statement is true and have been ding IV sedation anesthesia for over 25 years in an office setting without complications. General anesthesia does entail more risks and I personally dont think it is necessary for liposuction. I spent 13 years as a general and vascular surgeon and most of those procedures do need a greater level of anesthesia, but dont see the need in liposuction.
