How tolerable is neck liposuction under local only, no sedation?

Question

I've set my surgery with a board certified plastic surgeon this coming month under local anesthesia only. No iv sedation. It was an option, but I want to keep the surgery low key and drive myself home afterwards. Doctor said I'll be fine, but very uncomfortable during injections. I have a very high pain tolerance so I thought I should be fine too. But Should i consider iv sedation?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Local is usually Ok for this procedure.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA........................................

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Liposuction of the jawline/under chin /neck areas do so great and is easy to undergo under local anesthesia. A skilled injector will make the local so painless and easy. Don't worry. Sincerely, David Hansen,MD

Jennifer Reichel, MD · Answer

I don't think that you need general anesthesia (totally put to sleep) for neck liposuction. You can do the procedure under just local anesthesia. However, I find that almost all patients are more comfortable with at least oral valium, and more so with oral valium and IV or IM Demerol. I would absolutely say that you should NOT drive yourself home. You could take a car service if you don't have a friend or family member who can drive you.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Liposuction can be performed even over many areas with local anesthesia only. Patients have to be carefully selected because some discomfort is involved.

Kimberly Finder, MD · Answer

Neck liposuction can be performed easily with only local anesthesia. The placement of the local anesthesia only takes about 5 minutes or so and your jawline area and neck will get numb pretty just like it would if you were having your lower teeth numbed at the dentist. And, just like at the dentist you'll be able to breathe, swallow and talk, (though it may sound like you have marbles in your mouth!). I don't let my patients drive themselves home even if no sedating or pain medications are used during the procedure. Your head and neck will be in a compression garment that can restrict your ability to turn and see traffic around you and that isn't a safe way to drive.

Ronald Friedman, MD · Answer

Liposuction under the chin can safely and effectively be performed under local anesthesia.  Here's how it works:While you are seated, the area of planned liposuction will be drawn.  This corresponds to the fat that "bunches up" when you put your chin down.With you lying down, a 1/8 inch area will be injected with local anesthetic (just one injection).The lower face and neck are cleansed.A 1/8" incision is made in the neck just behind the midline of the chin--in the area that is already numb.A dilute fluid containing local anesthetic (lidocaine), epinephrine (to constrict blood vessels) and saline is placed through the incision.  This will numb the remainder of the surgical area.Liposuction is performed, removing the fluid that was just placed--and the excess fat.A single stitch completes the procedure.A compression garment is placed.

Adam David Lowenstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question- I have two comments.  Firstly, even if you have local only, I strongly recommend that you have someone else drive you home- you should not be turning your head side to side immediately after this procedure and when driving a car, you need to have your full range of motion for safety concerns.Secondly, while each surgeon has their own techniques and practices, I always use sedation at the least for my neck liposuction cases.  I have done this both ways and it seems more comfortable for the patient when sedation is used.Best of luck for your surgery- be safe at the least, and please get a ride home!

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for your question but bottom line you should do fine with buffered lidocaine followed by Marcaine and a compressive chin strapDr Corbin

Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD (retired) - Account Suspended · Answer

I think you will be so much more comfortable with some sedation and if you are more comfortable, your surgeon will have an easier time with your surgery and can focus on the procedure and not be worried about your comfort or lack thereof.Driving yourself home after this procedure is a very bad idea even if you have had no sedation.  You could be distracted by pain or drainage or your dressing.  My advice is to rethink this.  You may want to keep your surgery "low key" but it is still surgery!

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

If the surgeon uses buffered lidocaine injections first followed by marcaine,the injections are near painless, the surgery is painless, and you won't have any discomfort for hours and after that minimal discomfort.

How tolerable is neck liposuction under local only, no sedation?

Answers (10)

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