Can a tummy tuck be done under Mac or local type anesthesia?

Can a tummy tuck be done under MAC? Yes. But I generally perform mine under general anesthesia. Speak with your surgeon and anesthesiologist about the ideal choice for you. My best,
Dr. Sheila Nazarian
@drsheilanazarian on Instagram

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) can certainly be done only under MAC anesthesia, but it requires skilled anesthesia personnel to do it.  Most anesthesia providers are more comfortable with general anesthesia since that is how they are typically trained.  MAC anesthesia requires them to pay more attention to you second by second as it relies on you breathing on your own (not a machine breathing for you by a tube in your throat).  In our practice tummy tucks are routinely performed with MAC anesthesia only, as are breast augmentation, face lifts, and other surgeries, provided you are in good health and have received adequate medical clearance.  There are some exceptions to this, and if so, alternative arrangements are made prior to surgery.The advantage we have experienced is that people tend to have less nausea, recover faster, and are less groggy afterwards.  They are able to gain alertness quicker than most others.

Hi pretttymoe11,Thanks for posting.  While most procedures can be done under various forms of anesthesia, some surgeries are best performed under general anesthesia.   This always raises concerns for patients, who may not have all the information needed to make the best decision.  For example, studies definitely show that risk from anesthesia is related to the depth (i.e., can you respond when asked your name), rather than the type/route of anesthesia (inhalation gas vs intravenous MAC).  If you can not made comfortable enough under MAC without jeopardizing your ability to breath, either your safety or your result may be compromised.  Our anesthesiologist always calls the patient before the surgery to discuss risk/benefit of type of anesthesia before the surgery.  Please see attached web reference.  Good luck!

I only perform my surgeries under general anesthesia- especially Abdominoplasty. It is the safest most reliable method of anesthesia available in my opinion. For more info re/this topic you can read my blog here:

Far more important than the technique
is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather
than the technique and let them explain why one technique may be better than
another.

See the below link on some
suggestions on finding the most qualified Plastic Surgeon for a tummy tuck. Patients who are healthy but have EXCESS SKIN OR FAT that does not respond to diet and exercise. Patients who have undergone SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT LOSS and have hanging skin. Women with loose skin and stretch marks FOLLOWING PREGNANCY. Anyone with LOSS OF SKIN ELASTICITY. Patients who are unable to tighten the abdominal wall with exercise.If you have loose or sagging abdominal wall skin; often associated with relaxation of the anterior abdominal wall muscles (frequently secondary to multiple pregnancies).

Could response better with posted photos to see if you need a mini or full TT. I have done minis under local but as for full TTs with MR would be highly unlikely to be successful under local only. Best to seek in person opinions from private practice boarded PSs in MIAMI 

Thank you for your question. Yes, tummy tuck surgery can be performed utilizing a variety of different types of anesthesia;  in my practice i utilize general anesthesia only. This is provided by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist who monitors my patients from start to end so as to provide the safest environment for my patients. Abdominoplasty is an extensive procedure and I would recommend general anesthesia so that you are as comfortable/safe/immobile as possible during the procedure.I hope this, and the attacked link, helps.

Thank you for your question. Local or MAC is not a good option for a tummy tuck but an epidural is a possibility, especially if it is combined with tumescent fluid infiltration. Be sure to see an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon.