Is paralysis required as part of anesthesia for a tummy tuck?

Question

I am 5'4 147 and having a "Mommy Makeover" My biggest fear is being that one person in a million who becomes aware during surgery but unable to move. I have heard that this is closely monitored but have also read that it is actually not always detectable if the patient is in distress. So I worry that there might not actually be any signs to alert the anesthesiologist and that the surgery could be unbearably traumatic. I have known someone who had this happen during a surgery years ago. Paranoid

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD · Answer

I have been doing surgery for over 26 years in private practice and I have NEVER had anyone wake up on the table.   While muscle relaxers may be used for better tightening of your stomach muscles during the surgery, you are not paralyzed.  I think a lot of this fear is just urban myth.  As long as your surgery is performed by a reputable, board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility, you should do fine.

Janet Turkle, MD · Answer

Please be assured that a board certified Anesthesiologist working in a certified facility will have multiple monitors to alert him/her of your level of sedation. The BIS monitor will give a very clear indication of your level of sedation (lack of awareness!). The heart monitor, CO2 monitor, etc are also very indicative of how you are doing as well. Paralysis for the very brief period while the diastasis (space between the rectus muscles) is repaired is helpful in reducing tension and making this easier to perform. Please have a conversation with your surgeon and anesthesiologist about your conerns

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and I can understand your anxiety.  In answer to your question most often paralytic are used during TT to allow for the muscle repair/plication portion of the procedure.  This step is important for achieving a nice outcome.  As for your fears, anesthesia supplied by board certified physicians is very safe and awareness is far less likely with the monitoring supplied with general anesthesia.  Talk to your surgeon about your concerns, they can provide the best reassurances.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The patients are asleep with brain wave monitoring during general anesthesia in our facility.  Anesthesia awareness is avoidable using the best techniques. Paralysis is in fact important.  Even if you were not paralyzed but having anesthesia awareness, you would not be able to alert the anesthesiologist.  Your blood pressure, brain wave monitoring, pulse and other variables are used to titrate your anesthesia to your needs.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Paralytics do not necessarily have to be used when tightening the abdominal wall.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Is paralysis required as part of anesthesia for a tummy tuck?

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Answer: Inappropriately paranoid

Answer: Inappropriately paranoid

Answer: Is paralysis required as part of anesthesia for a tummy tuck?

Answer: Is paralysis required as part of anesthesia for a tummy tuck?

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Is paralysis required as part of anesthesia for a tummy tuck?

Answers (9)

Answer: Inappropriately paranoid

Answer: Inappropriately paranoid

Answer: Is paralysis required as part of anesthesia for a tummy tuck?

Answer: Is paralysis required as part of anesthesia for a tummy tuck?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.