Do I Need A General Anesthetic For High Definition Liposuction?

High definition liposuction is a highly effective body sculpting surgery. More patients are choosing this procedure to achieve the contours they desire. However, some people who could benefit from HD lipo avoid arranging a consultation because they’re worried about a general anesthetic. The good news is you don’t have to be unconscious to have HD liposuction. In fact, surgeons achieve the best results when a patient has a local anesthetic. 

What Is HD Liposuction?

HD or high definition lipo is a very complete form of liposuction. While the principle of the surgery is the same as standard lipo, the result is significantly more impressive. The surgeon removes more fat during this procedure to produce excellent muscle definition for the patient. As a result, the outcome is more attractive and aesthetically pleasing. Surgeons perform HD lipo under a local anesthetic.

Also Read – Is It Possible to Use Liposuction for Definition of the Muscles?

Why Is a Local Anesthetic a Better Option?

There are several reasons why surgeons prefer to operate on patients under a local anesthetic instead of a general anesthetic. When patients have a general anesthetic, they are entirely unconscious. They need constant monitoring and may require intubation. Many risks that come with being under a general anesthetic. Patients are more likely to feel nauseous or vomit. They are also at higher risk of allergic reactions and other unwanted side effects.

When patients have a local anesthetic, they remain awake and alert during the procedure but experience no pain. That means they experience none of the risks that come with a general anesthetic. They also require less monitoring and no intubation.

The benefits of a local anesthetic over a general one includes:

• It is safer with fewer risks for the patient.
• Patients can eat before the procedure so they are more comfortable.
• Their recovery is shorter and more manageable.
• They can go home on the same day as their surgery.
• There are fewer side effects with a local anesthetic.

How Does Local Anesthetic Facilitate HD Liposuction?

HD lipo requires the surgeon to remove more fat from the patient and to take a more precise approach. A local anesthetic facilitates this. When a patient is under a general anesthetic, they are lying down and inert throughout the procedure. That means the surgeon cannot see the effect of gravity on the patient’s fat and skin. Instead, surgeons have to guess, and that can lead to a more conservative approach, and a lopsided effect.

With a local anesthetic, patients can cooperate with the surgeon. They can stand, flex their muscles, and move around during the procedure. That allows the surgeon to sculpt the fat more closely to the muscle to achieve a better outcome.

While HD lipo produces excellent results for patients, not all surgeons offer this surgery. Of those who do, not all provide the same level of fat removal. Dr. Su at ArtLipo is a pioneer of high definition liposuction, and his Active Lipo technique produces outstanding patient results. To find out more, get in touch with the ArtLipo team today and arrange your consultation.