Can you do a Brazilian Butt Lift and Lipo procedure awake if you have syncope?

You do not necessarily need general anesthesia, but I do think it is a better patient experience. I have performed many of these procedures with local and sedation, but it is certainly not for everyone; and risk benefit analysis must be performed for each patient. You want the most dramatic transformation possible, and you do not want to be in pain.

Dear april.annie,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Syncopal episodes or having a vasovagal reflex response is not unusual for some in clinical settings. Sometimes the sight of blood or needles can trigger this reflex.

I personally perform all body contouring procedures with patients awake.

It’s not possible to have a syncopal episode while lying down. These only happen in a standing or sitting position.

During almost the entire procedure patients are laying horizontally and therefor will not have vasovagal reflexes. Most plastic surgeons are very familiar with patients having a vassal vagal reflex or passing out during office visits or office-based procedures. But will be the most common in a plastic surgery setting as patient’s passing out during Botox treatments.

Any busy plastic surgeon has encountered this numerous times.

Should you have a syncopal episode then the surgeon will simply put your head down and let you recover.

This should not prevent you from having awake surgery.

It’s a really good idea to tell all healthcare providers that you have a history of passing out, syncopal episodes, vasovagal reflexes. This includes phlebotomist or any medical setting.

The primary reason I prefer to do liposuction and fat transfer without general anesthesia is that greatly enhances my ability to get better results. It also makes the procedure safer, gives a better and faster recovery with less bruising and serves as a cost saving for my patients.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD