Is the xanax/vicodin cocktail really necessary before tumescent lipo?

With awake liposuction, it is best that you take something for anxiety and pain prior to the procedure so you can better tolerate the numbing. Once the areas are numb, the procedure is much less painful, and you may find yourself sleeping.

We use this as the postoperative combination for all of our surgeries.  We all also do all of our liposuctions under general anesthesia with tumescent.  If you are going to be awake and you don't take anything, it is going to be very painful.

Medications are typically given to reduce pain and anxiety.  There is no "reason" that is necessary to have it, they just make the procedure more tolerable.  Best, Dr. Emer.