Over the years I performed liposuction on thousands of patients using general anesthesia, oral sedation with local anesthesia, and sometimes only local anesthesia. I seldom use general anesthesia for liposuction anymore because patients always do well with sedation and local anesthesia.
General Anesthesia vs. Local Anesthesia
When general anesthesia is used, you’re totally unconscious and unaware of the procedure. This unconsciousness is produced by a mask and gas, or by administering medication through an IV drip. General anesthesia can produce reactions in some patients, and due to this, many patients prefer a different approach.
When local anesthesia is used, medicine is injected into a small area of the body and you remain fully conscious during the procedure. Procedures can also be performed in a medical office. Local anesthesia offers fewer reactions and complications, so it is the preferred method for minor surgeries and procedures.
My Experience With Liposuction Under Local Anesthesia
Recently, I had liposuction of my own abdomen using only local anesthesia. By local anesthesia liposuction, I mean preparing the fat with tumescent fluid which is a liberal volume of saline containing lidocaine and a bit of epinephrine to reduce bruising.
I found the treatment to be completely tolerable. For me, any further liposuction will be done under local anesthesia only.
I encourage patients to use oral sedation for their liposuction procedure. In lesser cases, if I think the patient is a suitable candidate, I will offer to perform the liposuction under local anesthesia only.
