Liposuction Without General Anesthesia
Everyone accumulates excess fat in different regions of the body, which can cause them to feel flabby and uncomfortable fitting into certain clothing. These deposits can be difficult to eliminate through diet and exercise, and they obscure the attractive definition of your body. While liposuction can effectively remove fat from problem areas, many patients fear going under anesthesia due to possible health concerns. Fortunately, we can provide you with an alternative solution. Liposuction without general anesthesia is a technique performed by some specialists that can sculpt more attractive curves and enhance your physique while you are still awake and comfortable.
Candidates
People considering liposuction without general anesthesia should be in good health and have realistic expectations about their results. To be considered for liposuction alone, you should have good skin elasticity. However, if you do have tissue laxity, we may recommend liposuction in combination with a skin tightening procedure. Liposuction is ideal for treating unwanted fat in one or more of the following areas:
- Abdomen
- Hips
- Thighs
- Arms
- Neck
- Back
- Chest
- Knees
- Ankles
How It’s Done
Medication
The patient will be administered pain medications to help with their comfort level and anxiety, followed by medicine to combat any potential nausea. An antibiotic is also administered. All medications can be modified if the patient is aware of a severe allergy. The injection of the numbing agent can be uncomfortable. The use of Pro-Nox™, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can alleviate the discomfort. IV fluids will not be used unless the physician feels it will assist in the recovery period.
Preparation
Once the patient has taken all required medications, the treatment areas are then prepped and injected with a numbing agent. To prevent noticeable scarring, small incisions will be made in natural creases of the body or in areas that are easily concealed with clothing.
Procedure
A small cannula is inserted under the skin and gently moved back and forth to vacuum ™the unwanted fatty tissue and sculpt the treatment areas, creating definition and a natural-looking appearance.
Recovery
You will experience bruising and swelling following your liposuction procedure. A compression garment must be worn for several weeks to help minimize postoperative swelling and smooth out your new contours. Typically, you will be allowed to return to work after a few days and resume your regular exercise routine in six weeks. Discomfort should only last several days and can be alleviated with oral medications.
Risks
This is a routine procedure with a low rate of complications. However, as with any surgery, there are some risks associated with liposuction. These risks include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, rippling of the skin, or pigmentation changes.