What Type of Anaesthesia is Used for a Body Lift?

When it comes to performing a body lift, I always use general anesthesia as it's a pain-free process for the patient and can allow the surgeon to achieve optimal results. After the procedure, I usually have my patients stay at an aftercare facility for 2 nights, rather than a hospital, to ensure a comfortable and safe recovery. While general anesthesia does require some time for recovery, I always take necessary precautions to minimize any potential risks and ensure the patient's safety. It's important to have a thorough discussion with your plastic surgeon about the anesthesia used during your procedure, and any associated risks and recovery expectations. Thank you for your question, and I wish you the best of luck.

Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

I have been performing my Body Lifts exclusively under IV Sedation for the past 5 years. I use only Board Certified Anesthesiologist well trained in IV Sedation.

As is well known, the Lower Body Lift procedure can take 7-8 hours as it includes a Tummy Tuck, posterior Buttocks Lift, and an Outer Thigh Lift. Prior to 2007, I used General Anesthesia. However, after 5 years of experience with IV Sedation, I would be hard pressed to go back to General!  

With IV Anesthesia we eliminate much of the pulmonary risks associated with long cases and General Anesthesia. The risk of pulmonary embolism goes up greatly with long General Anesthesia operating room time. This does not happen with IV Anesthesia.

Additionally, patients recover much faster post operatively as they have much less nausea.  I have performed well over 100 Body Lifts in the past 5 years and no one has every had to be hospitalized. Every patient goes home or back to their hotel that night with a nurse or caretaker.

Below (web reference) is a blog post I wrote in 2009 about the different risks. I am even more convinced than I was then!

 

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

Baltimore , Maryland

The body lift (or circumferential abdominoplasty) should only be performed under general anesthesia for many reasons. First, the surgeon must be focused on the surgery and not constantly checking your blood pressure, airway, and comfort (although we are peripherally aware of those too). Second, tje amopunt of local anesthetic that would be necessary would be toxic. Third, you don't want to be awake during this procedure and know what is happening to you. Fourth, of conscious sedation is used, you run the risk of losing your airway during turning.

I only do my body-lifts in the hospital with a board certified anesthesiologist and admit the patients overnight for observation and comfort. All of my patients appreciate this amount of care.

Almost all body lift procedures are done as an outpatient procedure in my practice. When combined with other changes such as breast reshaping and arm lifts, the patient may need to stay overnite in the facility. But in all such cases, they are able to go home the next morning. Rarely do I do these procedures in a hospital setting unless the patient has other medical problems or is undergoing additional procedures by another surgeon.

Thank you for the question.

General anesthesia  is usually used for body lifting surgery.  This procedure can be done as an inpatient or outpatient depending on patient and surgeon specifics. I hope this helps.