Is it true that Power Assisted Liposuction is performed under local anesthesia?

Question

I was looking into air-sculpting or power assisted Lipo where you are not under general anesthesia they use local. The idea sounds nice but what's the truth. The bruising and swelling makes me nervous. I was thinking maybe doing my arms or just lower abdomen I saw people do it for their double chin. I did read an article on someone dying from lidocaine toxicity from the procedure. Ugh any insight ?

Mathew C. Mosher, MD · Answer

Your confusion is not uncommon because of the marketing used by some providers. Air-sculpting is a marketing term and has nothing to do with "air" or any specific technique. Liposuction refers to removing fat with suction. In all cases local anesthetic (almost always dilute lidocaine with epinephrine) is placed into the fat that we what to reduce in order to make the procedure comfortable and safer. Some providers are only able to provide this procedure under local anesthetic in an office based treatment room while most Plastic Surgeons do this surgery in fully accredited ambulatory surgery centres. In these centres, patients can choose to be asleep (general anesthesia) or awake using local anesthetic only. There are pros and cons to both. Power Assisted Liposuction is potentially more efficient - not better, not more or less traumatic and not necessary for smaller amounts of fat being removed. The results and your safety should be the most important considerations. For safety, choose a board certified Plastic Surgeon and an accredited ambulatory surgery centre.

Fernando Ovalle Jr., MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question!

Liposuction under local is not only possible, but common, safe and comfortable for patients. Every surgeon/practice has different thresholds/recommendations but typically smaller volumes/number of areas are go-to's for local anesthesia only, while larger volumes, more areas may be easier, more efficiently accomplished and more comfortable for patients under general anesthesia. Patients with high anxiety may do better under anesthesia. There is bruising and swelling with any liposuction procedures but the medications in the tumescent solution (the fluid used prior to starting liposuction) help to minimize this. The next best step is an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to help walk you through your options!

W. John Bull, MD · Answer

While it is possible to do small areas under just local, I find most patients are much more comfortable with at least some sedation either oral or iv sedation and tumescent fluid. Tumescent fluid is what most people call local only as it has local in it but it has the advantage of slowing the time of absorption, so it makes it safer to perform and more comfortable than just local. If you wanted to do both your arms and abdomen, I would suggest doing it under tumescent and with sedation either IV or oral. The advantage of IV sedation is it is easier to control and keep you comfortable. Oral sedation takes a while to take effect, so if you need more, you will feel it for a while. Also, in my practice IV sedation is administered by an anesthesiologist, so there only job is to monitor you and make sure you are comfortable so I can focus on only doing the liposuction. Bruising and swelling do occur, but most patients find the results are worth the recovery time.

Kristopher Hamwi, MD · Answer

Yes, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia. I've been performing liposuction this way for the last 10+ years and have found it is my preferred method especially for areas where I need to be particularly precise or sculpt. The reason for this is that I can have the patient position themselves in ways that aren't possible when they are asleep. I often will check my results by having the patient stand up at the end of the procedure to make sure they are happy with the results and that everything came out the way I want.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your inquiry about power-assisted liposuction and the use of local anesthesia. While it's true that this procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, it's essential to consider the pros and cons:
Advantages:
No General Anesthesia: Avoids intubation and potential sore throat.
Perceived Safety: Some patients feel more comfortable without general anesthesia.
Disadvantages:
Pain: More pain during and after the procedure compared to general anesthesia.
Anesthetic Limitations: There's a maximum safe dosage for local anesthetic; exceeding it can end the procedure prematurely.
Risk of Lidocaine Toxicity: Possibility of leaving the recovery center with potentially toxic lidocaine levels, unlike with general anesthesia where gases dissipate before discharge.
Limited Treatment Scope: Fewer areas can be treated due to lidocaine limits.
Bruising and Swelling:
The degree of bruising and swelling is similar whether performed under local or general anesthesia.

Though local anesthesia is an option for power-assisted liposuction, many opt for general anesthesia due to its ability to treat more areas with less pain and reduced risk of lidocaine toxicity.
Sincerely,

Is it true that Power Assisted Liposuction is performed under local anesthesia?

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Answer: Liposuction under local anesthesia

Answer: Liposuction under local anesthesia

Answer: Power Assisted Liposuction: Local vs. General Anesthesia

Answer: Power Assisted Liposuction: Local vs. General Anesthesia

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Is it true that Power Assisted Liposuction is performed under local anesthesia?

Answers (8)

Answer: Liposuction under local anesthesia

Answer: Liposuction under local anesthesia

Answer: Power Assisted Liposuction: Local vs. General Anesthesia

Answer: Power Assisted Liposuction: Local vs. General Anesthesia

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)

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