I have minor scoliosis, is spinal anesthesia dangerous for me if I'm getting a BBL? Should I do general anesthesia instead?

Dear mamacitaamia,
You should discuss this with your plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist. But my guess is that minor scoliosis won't be a problem for spinal anesthesia. 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

A board certified anesthesiologist is skilled at placing needles into the spinal canal to administer medication. Express your concern to your plastic surgeon and ask if you could meet with his/her anesthesiologist to discuss whether spinal or general anesthesia would be best for you. Having minor scoliosis should not pose a problem with getting a BBL.

Hi and welcome to our forum!The degree of scoliosis determines the type of anesthesia to be administered. If significant, preoperative and operative precautions must be taken. Radiographic studies would be of value to determine the degree of spinal curvature and the levels involved.  Are your surgeon and anesthesia provider aware of this problem?  Where is the procedure being performed? Here in Florida the facility must be approved by the state. If the surgeon and / or anesthesiologist are certified to administer a spinal anesthetic, if the anesthesia provider has evaluated the imaging studies and is fully aware of your scoliosis, and if the operating theater is an accredited facility, it should be as safe or safer than a undergoing a general anesthetic. If concerned, speak with your plastic surgeon before your procedure.Best wishes...

Your question is really an anesthesiology question. I doubt your plastic surgeon is the one actually doing the Spinal anesthetic. Most likely he or she has an anesthesiologist doing this.I don’t think having scoliosis has an impact on the ability of a competent anesthesiologist doing spinal anesthesia. I suggest first of all asking your surgeon and if needed request an anesthesia consultation.I would guess most plastic surgeons use general anesthesia up for this. Personally I use local anesthesia with mild sedation.Best, Mats Hagstrom, MD