Excess pockets of fat are not fun. Sometimes resistant to changes in diet and exercise, even a small amount of extra fat in the exact right spot may throw off your entire body contour. It can be very frustrating for my Boston area patients.
Furthermore, no one is immune. Unwanted fat is probably the single biggest body contouring complaint that I hear from men and women of all ages. Liposuction is the gold standard for reducing these pockets of fat.
A very safe procedure in the hands of a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in body contouring, such as myself, liposuction allows me to precisely remove only the fat necessary to re-sculpt your body into its ideal proportion.
While most patients love the idea of suctioning away excess fat cells, liposuction is a surgical procedure and the recovery can be a stumbling block for many. This is why one of my most frequently asked body contouring questions is: “Is recovery faster with liposuction under local anesthesia?”. Yes, but….
Am I a Candidate for Liposuction Under Local Anesthesia?
Liposuction under local anesthesia may have a faster recovery, but only if you are a candidate. One of the many reasons that I am such an advocate of scheduling an in-person consultation is that it is the best way to determine the right course of action for your unique anatomy and desired outcome.
During our meeting, I will listen attentively to what is bothering you about your body’s appearance. We will discuss your medical history, family history, prior procedures or surgeries you may have had as well as how your body healed. Then, I will conduct a thorough physical exam to assess:
- Areas and amount of excess fat
- Skin tone & texture
- Degree of sagging skin, if any
Liposuction under local anesthesia is only a viable option if the amount of fat that we are removing is mild to moderate. It comes down to your safety. If the procedure is going to be longer due to the fact that we are removing a larger amount of fat cells, it will need to be done under general anesthesia. As patient safety is my number one concern, I will be very up front with you during our meeting as to whether or not your ideal body contour can be achieved with liposuction under local anesthesia.
Best Patient for Liposuction Under Local Anesthesia in Boston
The best patient for liposuction under local anesthesia is any man or woman in:
- Good overall health
- Within 10 lbs. of a maintainable goal weight
- Mild to moderate amount of excess fat
- Not a large degree of sagging skin
Furthermore, you need to be someone who is emotionally and physically able to handle the idea of being awake during your procedure. I find that dental patients, who have experience with local anesthesia, make good candidates. Most patients find the procedure to be tolerable. There is some mild discomfort as we administer the local anesthesia, but you shouldn’t feel anything significant during the procedure itself.
Why Liposuction Under Local Anesthesia May Be Faster Recovery
The biggest advantage of liposuction under local anesthesia in terms of recovery is that it requires less anesthesia for your liver and lymphatic system to process and eliminate after surgery. For this reason, your body may focus its energy on healing your skin and tissues more quickly. Furthermore, we don’t have to place a breathing tube down your throat so there is no post-op sore throat. And, last but not least, there is none of the nausea that many experience with general anesthesia. While the type of anesthesia that we use will not change the fact that you will be in some form of post-op compression garment to ensure the superior result that we both want, I do find that my liposuction under local anesthesia patients are faster getting back to their normal routines.
To find out more about liposuction under local anesthesia, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Chestnut Hill office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.