So I hear that liposuction under general anesthesia is unsafe, is this true?

Liposuction under general anesthesia is not unsafe. However
it is unnecessarily invasive and makes for an awkward case. I have performed
thousands of liposuction cases under moderate sedation IV anesthesia and the
local anesthetic of the tumescent solution. This allows patients to be able to
help position themselves on the table during the case and yet have no pain or
memory of the case. General anesthesia involves a breathing tube and the need
for people to lift the patient like dead weight.
 

 

The biggest risk with many cosmetic procedures is often the general anesthesia. Eliminating that eliminates a big risk. General anesthesia can still be safe but why risk it? Everyone knows the future of liposuction has been to go to the tumescent local, not only for safety reasons but also for better results since the patients are awake, comfortable and able to stand and turn in all positions so the doc can fine tune the areas for best results. Recovery is faster often as well. It only makes sense to avoid general anesthesia if at all possible. Many docs who do the old method of lipo under general anesthesia with the larger more brutal canulas (which we all did 30 yrs ago) have not updated their training nor probably quality of lipo results. To be fair, you still can get a decent result and have it done safely under general anesthesia by well trained docs who really specialize in lipo and who have credentials and experience  which are more than just saying they are board certified.

All surgical procedures carry risk. Liposuction, performed by a board certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility carries a very low risk in a patient who is a good candidate for surgery. I personally had liposuction under a general anesthetic in our accredited surgery center and I am very glad that had the procedure.

Absolutely not.  Please understand that ANY physician (even your family doctor) may just one day decide they are now a 'cosmetic surgeon'.  I have practiced and trained in several locations and in several different states.  In every location I have seen deaths from cosmetic surgeons performing cases under local anesthesia.  The reason that they perform cases under local (many times without monitoring or with a protected airway) is that no hospital will give them privileges to operate.  Especially in Florida, the vast majority of cosmetic surgeons are not plastic surgeons and have no formal training as such.  Operating under general anesthesia in an accredited surgery center with a board certified anesthesiologist is very safe.Good luck and be careful.

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.

Thank you for your question.
I prefer LMA Anesthesia. This is different then general endotracheal Anesthesia. Both types of anesthesia are safe when performed by well trained anesthesiologist. I have performed thousands of liposuctions. Patients have done well. The oldest I performed liposuction on was 78 years old. I prefer using ultrasonic assisted liposuction (I've lectured on this technique nationally and internationally) with the SAFE technique. The fat is "melted" and looks it like a banana smoothie with minimal bleeding. All surgeries carry risks. It is very important to make sure that you choose a good board certified plastic surgeon who performs his or her surgery in an accredited surgerical facility. For more information please watch the enclosed video. I hope you find this information useful.

As all the previous expert posters responded, Liposuction in the hands of board certified Plastic Surgeons is more safe than liposuction in hands of non plastic surgeons under local anesthesia!The reasoning which the public does not understand is ALL surgeries have inherent risks whether using local or general anesthesia. The better results in liposuction are usually under general anesthesia. Plus in the state of Florida were a strict rules governing if general anesthesia can be administrated. Most non plastic surgeons can NOT met these requirements, therefore they offer lipo under local anesthesia to try to circumvent the Board of Medicine rules. Hope this explains this to you. 

This is NOT true!  There are definite changes in the body physiologically when comparing general anesthesia with intravenous sedation vs local anesthesia. There are indications for all three procedures. You dont need to go to medical school to understand this. But, you do need to find a board certified plastic surgeon to spend the time with you to thoroughly discuss your options. One who will to weigh in on the pros and cons of each, and offer you the safest most effective way to achieve your goals. Best Wishes

Liposuction under General Anesthesia is safe.  One way to think about it is that the overwhelming majority of surgery done at every hospital is done under general anesthesia.  The same would be true for surgery centers.  Liposuction is definitely safely done under general anesthesia.  When having liposuction please seek out a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.