Comfortable, awake body contouring is a procedure field that can sculpt different areas of the body without using general anesthesia. Instead of general anesthesia, we use a combination of local numbing, oral medication, and nitrous oxide to safely enhance your experience, all while reducing your recovery time.
At Advanced Body Sculpting Institute, our surgeons have extensive experience performing awake procedures. With this alternative approach to anesthesia, they have been able to transform the lives and figures of thousands of patients who may not have been able to undergo their procedures otherwise.
If you are interested in learning more about our awake procedures, please schedule a consultation online or reach out to our Englewood office at (303) 708-8770.
About Awake Body Contouring
Awake body contouring refers to a set of procedures that our surgical team can perform without general anesthesia. These procedures can enhance your figure while also reducing your recovery time by bypassing the side effects and risks associated with general anesthesia. Our surgical team instead uses a combination of tumescent fluid, Pro-Nox, relaxation, and medication.
- Tumescent Fluid: Tumescent fluid is a mix of epinephrine, lidocaine, and saline. It helps to numb areas locally—it also constricts the blood vessels to minimize bleeding.
- Pro-Nox: Pro-Nox is a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen that alleviates pain and enhances patient comfort during a procedure. Its effects wear off quickly after your procedure, allowing you to feel more like yourself.
- Relaxation: We create a soothing, relaxing environment here at the ABS Institute. For example, before procedures, we have our patients sit in a massage chair to elevate their comfort.
- Medication: You will receive either Valium or Halcion alongside pain medications to improve your comfort. Valium is an anti-anxiety medication, and Halcion is an anti-insomnia medication.
Why We Recommend Avoiding General Anesthesia
Although general anesthesia is safe and effective for many patients, it is also associated with a number of downsides. A few of these include:
- Memory Loss
- Temporary or Persistent Confusion
- Dizziness
- Urinary Retention
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Sore Throat
- Heart Attack
- Pneumonia
- Thromboembolism
- Cerebrovascular Accident (1)
Personal Consultation
During your consultation, your patient coordinator will meet with you individually to finalize your candidacy for an awake procedure and create your treatment plan.
Your patient coordinator will also take the time to answer and address any questions you may have about awake body contouring.
If you are ready to discover whether an awake procedure is right for you, please contact us online or call (303) 708-8770.
Preparation
Once you schedule your procedure, you will need to take certain preparatory steps. To help you, your surgeon will give you a set of detailed preoperative instructions. They may direct you to:
- Refrain from taking blood-thinning medications and supplements under medical guidance.
- Prepare to take time away from your career and other commitments to focus on your recovery.
- Arrange for transportation home after your appointment.
- Discontinue any nicotine use in the weeks leading up to your procedure, and maintain cessation throughout your recovery.
- Avoid consuming any alcohol for several days before and after your appointment.
- Fill any prescriptions you may need in advance to ensure you have them ready.
Available Procedures
We offer several awake procedures. These include:
Brazilian Butt Lift
A Brazilian Butt Lift is a procedure that uses your body’s own fat to refine the shape, size, fullness, and symmetry of the buttocks. This procedure uses liposuction techniques to take fat from other regions of the body and transfer it to the buttocks to offer natural-looking and feeling enhancements.
Brozilian Butt Lift
A Brozilian Butt Lift, or a male BBL, is a procedure that transfers fat from other areas of the body to the buttocks using liposuction techniques. Our surgeons can perform this procedure to elevate the shape and size of the male buttocks to restore a more balanced, proportionate, and defined behind.
Emsculpt
Emsculpt is a procedure that stimulates powerful muscle contractions to burn your excess fat and build up your body’s natural muscles. This treatment uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to contract your large muscle groups, with one Emsculpt treatment equating to approximately 20,000 crunches.
Emsculpt Neo
Emsculpt Neo is a newer variation of Emsculpt that combines HIFEM technology with radiofrequency (RF) energy. This treatment can build up the strength of your muscles, burn your excess fat, and tighten your skin for more defined and desirable results.
Fat Transfer
A fat transfer consists of taking fat from one area of your body using liposuction techniques and redistributing it into another feature or region of your body to augment or refine its appearance. (2) Your surgeon can take fat from most areas of the body where an adequate amount is present, including the arms, legs, buttocks, flanks, thighs, and more.
Lipo360
Lipo360 is a procedure that removes fat from several areas of the body at once to provide more comprehensive results. This treatment focuses on recontouring areas such as the abdomen, waist, hips, and back simultaneously to achieve an hourglass-shaped silhouette.
SmartLipo
SmartLipo, or laser-assisted liposuction, employs laser energy to eliminate unwanted fat deposits from around your body. (3) This treatment minimizes unnecessary tissue damage while simultaneously stimulating collagen production, leading to improvements in your skin’s overall health, appearance, and elasticity.
VASER Liposuction
Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance (VASER) liposuction is a liposuction technology that emits ultrasound waves to emulsify your fat before your surgeon aspirates it from the body. VASER liposuction offers precise, targeted fat reduction that allows each patient to refine the natural contours and curves of their figure. Your surgeon may perform VASER liposuction to address areas such as your:
- Ankles
- Arms
- Armpit
- Banana Roll
- Breasts
- Calves
- Thighs
- Love Handles
- Knees
- Stomach
- Upper/Lower Back
- Waist
- Neck
- Chin
- Bra Rolls
Recovery
Your recovery timeline will vary depending on the type of procedure you receive, the extent of your procedure, and the rate at which your body heals itself. In general, patients who undergo awake procedures experience a shorter and easier recovery.
After your body contouring procedure, you may need to take some time away from your responsibilities to focus on your recovery. As your body heals, you may experience some swelling, bruising, or tenderness near the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will subside with time, but you may also choose to manage them using a cold compress, prescribed medications, and plenty of rest.
You may return to light activities and desk work after resting for approximately one week, but you will need to continue refraining from vigorous activities until your surgeon clears you to return.
Your surgeon will provide a full set of detailed postoperative instructions to help you navigate your recovery. We encourage you to contact us for any questions or concerns that arise so that our team may provide you with the proper support.
Cost of Awake Body Contouring in Denver, Colorado
The cost of your awake body contouring procedure will vary depending on several factors. These may include the type of procedure your surgeon performs, the complexity of your procedure, and more. Once your surgeon meets with you to discuss each of these details, they will give you a comprehensive cost estimate. We additionally offer financing for those who qualify, as well as specials.
To learn more about the cost of awake body contouring, please schedule a consultation online or call (303) 708-8770.
FAQ
What does the ‘awake’ refer to in awake body contouring?
The term ‘awake’ means that our team uses only local anesthesia, oral painkillers, and Pro-Nox during the listed procedures, rather than general anesthesia. This bypasses the negative side effects of general anesthesia and speeds up your recovery.
How will I know which awake body contouring procedure is right for me?
During your personal consultation, your patient coordinator will assess your medical history, desired aesthetic, and areas of concern to determine which awake body contouring procedure will help you achieve your personal goals.
Will my awake body contouring procedure hurt?
No, many of our former patients have reported our body contouring procedures to be well-tolerated. This is because our surgical team provides you with a combination of local anesthesia, medications, and other pain management systems to alleviate any potential discomfort.
How much fat will my surgeon be able to remove or transfer when performing awake body contouring?
The amount of fat your surgeon removes or transfers during your awake body contouring procedure will vary depending on the type of procedure they perform, your desired results, and your natural anatomy. Your surgeon will provide you with more specific information during your pre-operative meeting.
Can my surgeon address multiple areas of my body when performing awake body contouring?
Yes, your surgeon may perform awake body contouring to address several areas of your body within the same appointment. If you are receiving awake liposuction specifically, your surgeon may address up to three areas within one sitting before general anesthesia may be recommended.
References
- Radkowski P, Oniszczuk H, Justyna Opolska, Mateusz Pawluczuk, Milena Samiec, Marcin Mieszkowski. A Review of Non-Cardiac Complications of General Anesthesia: The Current State of Knowledge. Medical Science Monitor. 2025;31. doi:https://doi.org/10.12659/msm.947561
- Shih L, Davis MJ, Winocour SJ. The Science of Fat Grafting. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2020;34(01):005-010. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-3402073
- Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/