Demerol and Xanax before Lipo makes me scared - advice on what these medications will have me feeling like?

Question

Hello! I would like to get the tumescent lipo done but my fear is of the Xanax and Demerol my doctor is going to give me beforehand. I have always been very scared of medications and this has halted my decision on moving forward with the procedure. I also do not want to be under anesthesia at any costs. Any advice on what this medication will have me feeling like and are patients usually ok and feeling good and comfortable? Have there been any patients that did not like being administered this?

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Liposuction surgery requires medication for both your comfort and safety.  Xanax is a medication often used to help control anxiety.  Demerol is used to help manage pain. I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon.  If you are too uncomfortable taking these medications or alternatively having general anesthesia, then perhaps this procedure is not right for you.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Liposuction is surgery and surgery is painful. Medication is given prior to help relax you and provide some relief from the pain. Your most painful part will be the numbing.  If you are too scared to take medications, then perhaps you should reconsider having surgery.  You will need pain medication afterwards.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

These are the two medications I use in conjunction with local anesthesia for most of my liposuction procedures.

Earlier in my career I did most liposuction of procedures using general anesthesia.  10 years ago I worked with some surgeons that mentored me in doing these procedures with patients awake.  major Liposuction procedures can be uncomfortable enough the patients need some form of sedation and pain control to tolerate the procedure even when local anesthesia is used correctly.

It’s unusual for patients to have extreme anxiety about taking these medication and your anxiety it’s some thing you should talk to a mental health provider about not a plastic surgeon.

The combination of benzodiazepines and narcotic pain medications is used routinely for all most all awake procedures done with sedation. This includes the majority of all endoscopy procedures etc. etc.

The two medication‘s are symbiotic and highly effective. Most patients feel extremely relaxed and euphoric.

Both the medication‘s are highly habit-forming and highly addictive.

This is highly unusual when used for a single procedure. most patients find the experience in regards to the medication to be relaxing and very pleasant.  all in all the liposuction procedure can be perceived as uncomfortable by Summit and only slightly uncomfortable during certain parts by others.  how patients perceive awake Liposuction is highly provider dependent.  there is a fairly steep and long learning curve to doing awake Liposuction without hurting patients. make sure you’re a surgeon has been doing awake procedures for a few years and has experience.

This is also true when it comes to delivering high-quality consistent Liposuction results.

Consider consulting with a psychologist or a psychiatrist if you have extreme anxiety.

There are inherent risks and side effects with all medical procedures and medication‘s.

Lastly, did you have an in person consultation with your hopefully board-certified plastic surgeon?

If not that’s an excellent place to start.  Even if you did you can follow up and meet with them again if you have follow up questions. I encourage patients who are not fully comfortable to do this.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Demerol and Xanax before Lipo makes me scared - advice on what these medications will have me feeling like?

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Demerol and Xanax before Lipo makes me scared - advice on what these medications will have me feeling like?

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Everything you need to know about Tumescent Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.