What kind of liposuction is done under local anesthesia?

All methods of liposuction can be done using local anesthesia. The tumescent fluid, which has become standard of care for suction assisted lipectomy, delivers local anesthetic as well as vasoconstriction (to mitigate blood loss).While any technique can be used, typically patients undergoing more limited treatments will be very comfortable with oral sedation in concert with tumescent anesthesia. Larger areas are often better tolerated with IV sedation. General anesthesia is safest for planned high volume procedures.The best choice for anesthesia is that which provides the patient and practitioner with the most comfort. As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon. 

In my practice small areas can be done easily with local anesthesia filling the fat with what is referred to as tumescent infiltration. Larger cases generally do better if the patients are orally sedated. In patients not psychologically suited for this approach a general anesthesia can be used.

Thank you for the question. As long as you are only targeting a couple of areas, liposuction can often be performed very comfortably using only local anesthesia. Actually, the technique is called "tumescent" anesthesia which involves a very dilute local anesthetic which is infiltrated under the skin into the fatty tissues. It expands the area so that the fat is more easily removed. It also controls bleeding, and provides a numbing effect. If large amounts are planned, then often times you should consider more of a general anesthetic. I would check w/ your surgeon. Best wishes.