Is It Common to Use Local Anesthesia for Brachioplasty Revision?

It is not unusual to perform scar revision surgery in the office operating room.  In fact, many of us (including myself) do the actual brachioplasty surgery in the office operating room with relatively light sedation.  I do not disagree with a general anesthesia and stil do this occasionally for patients who are not good candidates for a procedure without general anesthesia.

Understand, this is a AAAASF certified operating room and not just a minor procedure room.  I have included a video for your reference.

Thank you for your question regarding arm lift or brachioplasty revision done under local anesthesia. In my practice, performing revisional brachioplasty scar surgery is very uncommon. However, performing revision brachioplasty scar under local anesthesia is not entirely unacceptable. Basically, if you can tolerate it and the doses of local anesthesia are not too high, it may be safer for you to have this revision performed under local anesthesia, rather than general anesthesia.
If you decide to go ahead with local anesthesia, perhaps ask your plastic surgeon for a Valium or Xanax. In addition, if you do not want to see what is going on, a surgical drape can be easily applied. Another good option I use for my patients, is to bring your headphones and a airplane sleeping mask to cover your eyes. You can just relax and listen to your music while your plastic surgeon revises the arm lift scars.
Good luck with your quest for skinnier arms.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

                  Brachioplasty
patients may occasionally require revisional surgery. Revisional surgery may be
necessary for a wide variety of reasons. In some cases, the problem may be
minor, while in other cases, it may be major.

                  The
choice of anesthesia is dependent upon the nature of the deformity. In some
cases, where deformities are minor, local anesthesia is acceptable. In other
cases where major deformities are present, general anesthesia is probably more
appropriate.

                  The
choice of anesthetic is also dependent upon the patient’s preference, surgeon’s
preference and the patient’s overall health. It’s important that these issues
be discussed prior to surgery so the patient can have a comfortable experience. 

Yes, I have. However, I counsel patients carefully prior to having them undergo any procedures under local that are more extensive because of the very concerns you’ve expressed. You may wish to rethink your decision even though it may have economic consequences. You will be a lot happier if you do this under anesthesia in a regular outpatient facility and your surgeon is perfectly capable of doing what he thinks you and he want, but it sounds like you have too many reservations to execute this procedure while you are fully awake under local anesthesia.

It is common to have revisional surgeries under local anestesia if you are able to handle it.  It is easier for you and your surgeon if you are relaxed and not full of anxiety.  You will be injected with numbing medication and should not feel much.  Local also involved oral medication to help you relax.  The injections may be the worst part.  If you feel you may be a little anxious about it, schedule general or even a twilight procedure. 

A brachioplasty scar can be reivsed under local in an office setting, however if you will require a more involved skin excision and or fat removal you will likely need to have this done in an operating room.  This will help prevent infection and if you need more anesthesia, it can be done in a safer fashion this way.

Please consult a board certified plastic surgeon before undergoing your revision.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno