Local Anesthesia vs. General Anesthesia

Historically, all surgical procedures required the patient to undergo general anesthesia, with the risks sometimes outweighing the benefits of the surgery itself. Dependent on the expertise of the anesthesiologist, we would wake hours later, feeling groggy and unsure of where we were or what we were doing, and then would be required to perform a host of tests to ensure we didn’t end up with pneumonia or worse.

Local anesthesia, which numbs the area while allowing the patient to stay alert and awake and able to leave the premises immediately after the procedure, is what we use for all our procedures. Local means safer, easier, and less expensive, the invention of local anesthesia has opened a new portion of the population to liposuction and other cosmetic and medical procedures that they otherwise may not have been able to experience.

General Anesthesia was the past – Today we use Local Anesthesia!

General Anesthesia

When undergoing general anesthesia, the patient is at risk for a host of complications not applicable under the use of local anesthesia. Affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, blood pressure and other major organs, the possibility of death or brain damage is possible. Of course, in some cases, general anesthesia is necessary, but it doesn’t make sense to put a patient at risk when a local anesthetic can do the same job without the worries of severe complications. The risks of general anesthesia are minimal to healthy patients, but rise exponentially for older patients, patients with serious health conditions, or patients who may have been ill before undergoing surgery. Thanks to experienced anesthesiologists, the risk of death is still low.

Local Anesthesia

When a local anesthetic is used, the risks lower dramatically, with allergic reaction being the most dangerous of all complications. Infini only uses local, ensuring that the patient remains healthy and alert and the recovery period is shortened. Some patients have the ability to resume normal life activities within 24-48 hours of their procedure, which would not be the case if a general anesthesia was used. Being able to stay awake throughout the procedure allows the patient a sense of control they would not have otherwise experienced, as they are able to watch the procedure as it is being performed. Local anesthesia is less expensive, both in the cost of the anesthetic itself and in the fact that after a local anesthetic, the patient can return home in mere hours, while a patient undergoing surgery with a general body contouring may be required to stay in the hospital for a day or more.

If you are interested in a safe, effective way to contour your arms or other body areas, contact us to schedule a consultation today.