Anesthesia Various types of anesthesia can be used for liposuction surgery. Together you and Dr. Bermant will select the type of anesthesia that provides the most safe and effective level of comfort for your surgery. If only a small amount of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the involved area. However, if you prefer, intravenous sedation can keep you more relaxed during the procedure. You will be awake but should feel minimal discomfort.
Larger surgeries are best under general anesthesia.
You would sleep though the operation and a tube will go into your airway through your throat to help you breath during surgery. The time required to perform suction assisted lipectomy may vary considerably, depending on the size of the area, the amount of fat being removed, the type of anesthesia and the technique used. An average case can take one to two hours, however the time varies considerably from thirty minutes to several hours. This cannula is connected to a high suction machine or syringe to supply a strong vacuum. The metal tube is then manipulated under the skin breaking up the fat and suctioning it out.