Choosing the Best Type of Anesthesia for your Liposuction Procedure

While most people find it easy to ward off unwanted fat with diet and exercise, there are still some people who, try as they might, cannot get rid of those extra inches of fat weighing on them. As our society continues to try and improve on the human physique, the search for a lean and fit looking body is something that many people continue to chase after. For those people, liposuction procedures help them to rid of the extra fat that does not leave with normal diet and exercise.

Once you have made the decision to have a liposuction procedure with your plastic surgeon and mapped out the areas of fat which need removing, you must then choose the best type of anesthesia for your liposuction procedure. Your decision of which type of anesthesia to use is just as important as discussing the procedure itself, the recovery and risks, it may even be more important than your liposuction cost. There are four types of anesthesia generally used in a liposuction surgery, general, local, conscious sedation and regional anesthesia. Each one performs a different function that you may find better suits your needs.

Receiving Local Anesthesia

If you are faint of heart, the option for local anesthesia may not be for you. When you receive a local anesthetic, only the parts of your body receiving the liposuction are numbed. Most often, this is done through an injection at the site where lipo will happen. However, as medical technology and discovery advances, there are now topical creams, which are applied like lotions that are just as effective as an injection. During a liposuction surgery with local anesthetic you are awake and conscious. Some people prefer this option as there is no sedation to wake up from and they are aware of what is happening around them. The pain will be completely blocked from the parts of your body receiving liposuction. However, most plastic surgeons will agree that local anesthesia is best used for people who are removing only small areas of fat.

Conscious Sedation

This method of anesthesia is also called intravenous sedation or twilight sleep. The reason for this is because unlike other methods, you are given an injection through an IV line, which will relax you and make you feel sleepy. Many people report falling asleep with this method and feeling nothing during the liposuction surgery. In addition to the sedative you receive, you will also probably receive a pain medication to relive discomfort. An added bonus to this type of conscious sedation is that the medications involved also cause forgetfulness, so even if you reside between asleep and awake, you won’t remember the bulk of the surgery. However, you will be able to wake and answer questions or maintain reflexes such as swallowing and coughing. Conscious sedation also may involve a regional block anesthesia as well. Those who receive conscious sedation as a method of anesthesia during a liposuction procedure also report waking easier than with a general anesthesia.

Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthesia can be administered through an epidural block or spinal. Similar to a local regional anesthesia prevents a region of your body from feeling any pain. The region can be the arm, leg, or the complete lower part of the body. Much like a local, you maintain consciousness. Regional anesthesia is administered through an IV needle, which will be inserted in a small pocket close to the spinal column, thus removing feeling and the ability to move the region An added benefit is that you may experience less pain afterward. It is best used when there is a large amount of fat to remove, for example, having liposuction done to both legs.

Choosing General Anesthesia

Generally speaking, this type of anesthesia is best for situations where a Regional block is not an option or for extensive liposuction surgeries. It also can raise the fees associated with liposuction costs since it is more invasive. For instance, general anesthesia is administered through a mask (inhalants) or IV. You should also take into consideration that general anesthesia affects all parts of the body. You will also lose consciousness and all ability to cough or swallow which means a tube will be inserted down your throat as well. Additionally there are more side effects with this type of anesthesia as well.

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