Can I have general anaesthetic instead of IV sedation for Vaser liposuction?

Question

The practice I have booked in for offers IV sedation but I am a very anxious patient and would really like to have general. Is this an option for vaser? When I emailed the receptionist just told me not to worry and that most patients have a sleep with IV, but that still hasn't calmed my nerves.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello meemee93,

Thank you for reaching out with your concerns about anesthesia options for your upcoming Vaser liposuction. I understand your anxiety and the desire for a more comfortable experience during the procedure.

At our practice, we perform all Vaser liposuction procedures under general anesthesia, and I believe this is the best approach for several reasons. Firstly, the Vaser technique can generate a significant amount of heat, which, although effective for the procedure, can be quite uncomfortable or even painful without proper anesthesia. General anesthesia ensures that you remain completely unaware and free from any discomfort during the surgery.

Additionally, being under general anesthesia allows for a more thorough and efficient fat removal process. When a patient is entirely sedated, it's easier to perform the procedure with precision, as there's no movement or discomfort that might otherwise limit the extent of fat suctioning.

Your comfort and safety are our top priorities. If you have concerns about IV sedation, it's important to discuss them with your surgeon. Every patient's needs and preferences are unique, and we aim to provide the best possible care tailored to each individual.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

The choice between general anesthesia and intravenous (IV) sedation for Vaser liposuction is typically determined by various factors, including the extent of the procedure, the patient's medical history, and the surgeon's preferences. Both general anesthesia and IV sedation have their advantages and considerations.

General Anesthesia:

Advantages: With general anesthesia, you are completely unconscious and unaware during the procedure. This can be beneficial for more extensive surgeries or for patients who may be anxious about the procedure.
Considerations: General anesthesia involves a higher level of monitoring and carries certain risks, including the potential for respiratory and cardiovascular complications.
IV Sedation (Twilight Sedation):

Advantages: IV sedation allows the patient to be relaxed and somewhat unaware of the procedure without being fully unconscious. It is often used for less invasive procedures and may have a faster recovery time compared to general anesthesia.
Considerations: While IV sedation is generally considered safer than general anesthesia, it may not be suitable for more extensive or complex surgeries.
The choice between general anesthesia and IV sedation is typically made during the pre-operative consultation between you and your surgeon. Factors such as the extent of the liposuction, your medical history, and your comfort level with each option will be considered.

It's important to communicate openly with your surgeon about your preferences, concerns, and any past experiences with anesthesia. They will provide recommendations based on your individual case, ensuring your safety and comfort during the procedure.

Keep in mind that the specific anesthesia method is just one aspect of the overall surgical plan. The expertise of your surgeon and their team, as well as adherence to pre-operative and post-operative instructions, will contribute to a successful and safe Vaser liposuction procedure.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

VASER liposuction can be done with IV sedation or general anesthesia.  Using a board certified anesthesiologist is most important.

Anuj Purbey, MBBS · Answer

Yes you can find a practice which offers general anaesthetic for Vaser liposuction. What areas are you looking to have treated? Pls note that eg. 360degree legs can be more challenging under general anaesthesia than have it done under iv sedation

Navjot Singh, MD, FACG · Answer

"Thank you for your question. Yes, general anesthesia can be used for Vaser liposuction, but its availability can vary by practice. If you have significant anxiety about the procedure and prefer general anesthesia, it's important to communicate this with your surgeon. If the current practice does not offer general anesthesia, you may need to consider finding a practice that aligns more closely with your comfort and anesthesia preferences. It's essential for you to feel comfortable and secure with the approach to your procedure.

"

"

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

It sounds like you have not had an in person consultation.
I will start off by saying I do not recommend people travel long distances for elective surgical procedures. I especially recommended not leaving the country for elective surgical procedures and thirdly I highly recommend patients have multiple inperson consultations before considering scheduling Liposuction.
Delivering consistent quality, Liposuction result is far more difficult than most people realize. The number of plastic surgeons who are truly excellent or have mastered this procedure are in a very small minority.
Poorly done, Liposuction is permanent and irreversible, and can easily leave people disfigured.
Unfortunately, this happens all too frequently and is always caused by patients not being thorough when it comes to provider selection.
Being board-certified and plastic surgery with years of experience, and an overall good reputation does not mean somebody has mastered any one single surgical procedure especially not Liposuction.
Using the reputation of a major, Clinic does not give any guarantees of the experience and skills of the actual provider who will be assigned to your case.
Liposuction results are permanent and irreversible.
Understanding your candidacy for the procedure, and choosing the right provider are the absolute most important variables.
Different providers use different forms of anesthesia and this should be discussed during an in person consultation.
Some providers may not have general anesthesia facilities, in which case general anesthesia will not be available.
Before even beginning to talk about anesthesia, patients need to first have a quality assessment to understand if they’re good candidate for the procedure, which areas should be included in treatment, and to begin the vetting process providers.
The following are some general guidelines and recommendations to find the right provider. During each consultation that you can ask each provider what type of anesthesia they prefer or offer. 
To find the best provider, I suggest patient schedule multiple in person consultations with experienced plastic surgeons in their community. During each consultation, ask each provider to open up their portfolio and show you their entire collection of before and after pictures of previous patients who have similar body or facial characteristics to your own. An experienced plastic surgeon should have no difficulty showing you the before and after pictures of at least 50 previous patients. An experienced provider should in fact have hundreds or preferably thousands of before and after pictures to choose from for commonly performed procedures. 
Being shown a handful of preselected images, representing the best results of a provider’s career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results will look like in the hands of each provider.
There is no correct number of consultations needed to find the best provider. The more consultations you scheduled the more likely you are to find the best provider for your needs. 
Take careful notes during each consultation, especially regarding the quantity and quality of before and after pictures. It’s not a bad idea to bring pictures of your own body/face to use as reference when reviewing before and after pictures. 
The biggest mistake patients make is scheduling only one consultation without properly vetting or comparing providers before scheduling surgery.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

William A. Ross, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Thanks for your question! Anxiety can be a particular problem for surgical patients. It can affect the patient's mental and physical well-being if not properly addressed. Let me start by saying that I have performed Vaser liposuction in a variety of settings, both with and without sedation or anesthetic. In my practice, it is common for patients to request being "put to sleep" so that they "do not remember a thing". As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I am frequently challenged by anxious patients. In my view, there is no advantage to trying to coerce a patient into calmness. It doesn't seem to work well, as you might expect. For particularly anxious and otherwise healthy patients, it can sometimes be safer to give them an anesthetic and "put them to sleep". Often, the procedure is quicker, performed more safely and there is little risk of any unpleasant awareness during the operation. Ultimately, it is the patient that drives the decision. If you are really anxious about an upcoming surgery, talk to your doctor now. Don't wait. They are there to help. I hope this helps! Good luck on your journey!

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