IV sedation or general anesthesia for liposuction 360 including arms?

PSs vary in their opinions regarding whether one type of anesthesia is better than another for liposuction.   I do not use local exclusively unless a small area of liposuction is planned.  If the procedure is performed with oral or IV sedation, there can be pain and awareness of the procedure.  I prefer general anesthesia so that patient absolutely has no awareness and feels no pain.  With the amount I liposuction and the results I try to achieve, I do not want to have anything prevent me from getting the best result.Inform you PS of your viral pericarditis so that he and your cardiologist can take steps to reduce your chance of having another acute episode.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA 

Most plastic surgeons prefer general anesthesia, especially
for larger surfaces. However, this can vary from surgeon to surgeon depending
on the area. It is best to consult with your plastic surgeon to discuss
alternative options for surgery.

Thank you for your question.Local anesthesia is an option for liposuction in small areas, due to the limitation on the amount of numbing medication you can receive.  If you wanted to do liposuction of your back, abdomen, and arms, you would likely need to stage the procedures into 2 or 3 sessions to avoid lidocaine toxicity.  This will extend your recovery time, as you can't recover all at once, but it would be your safest option if you really want to avoid general anesthesia.Best of luck,Dr. Kavali