Awake liposuction is a form of liposuction treatment that utilizes a combination of local anesthesia and a mild sedative as opposed to general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort without having to completely put the patient under.
Liposuction has long been a popular cosmetic procedure aimed at removing unwanted fat deposits to enhance body contours. Traditionally, this surgery has been performed under general anesthesia, rendering the patient unconscious during the process. However, advancements in medical techniques have introduced awake liposuction, a method that allows patients to remain conscious yet comfortable throughout the procedure. This approach offers numerous benefits, including enhanced safety, quicker recovery times, and outcomes that closely align with individual aesthetic goals.
Advanced Body Sculpting Institute in Englewood, Colorado, stresses a patient-first approach. This applies not just to helping patients achieve the results they desire, but also to ensuring they are comfortable throughout the entire process. If you are interested in awake liposuction and want to explore its potential benefits, please contact Advanced Body Sculpting Institute online to schedule a personal consultation, or call our office at (303) 708-8770.
About Awake Liposuction
Awake liposuction involves the use of local anesthesia to numb specific areas of the body, enabling fat removal while the patient remains awake. It also involves the use of tumescent fluid, which is a combination of lidocaine, epinephrine, and sodium bicarbonate to numb the area and reduce bleeding. This treatment is designed to remove stubborn pockets of body fat that do not seem to respond to healthy lifestyle habits, such as diet or exercise.
Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States and can be performed as a stand-alone treatment or as a part of another procedure. (1) Liposuction is a popular treatment due to its proven safety and efficacy when being used to help patients achieve their aesthetic goals, and often entails the use of general anesthesia. Although general anesthesia is safe, there are still risks associated with its use, especially for patients with underlying health conditions such as respiratory or pulmonary issues, (2) but the awake technique significantly reduces these risks. At Advanced Body Sculpting Institute, awake liposuction is performed with a soothing sedative known as Pro-Nox, also known as laughing gas, which contains 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen sedative gas.
Common target areas for awake liposuction include the abdomen, thighs, hips, arms, and under the chin. The procedure has evolved over the years, offering multiple options tailored to meet diverse aesthetic preferences while maintaining safety protocols. One of the most common awake liposuction treatments performed at Advanced Body Sculpting Institute is VASER liposuction.
To learn more about the procedures we offer at the Advanced Body Sculpting Institute, please visit our blog.
Benefits of Awake Liposuction
Choosing to undergo awake liposuction over general anesthesia offers a range of benefits. A few of the most prominent reasons why patients might opt for this technique include:
Enhanced Safety and Reduced Risks
General anesthesia affects the entire body by suppressing consciousness and reflexes, which can lead to complications such as breathing difficulties and other adverse effects on the heart. Awake liposuction eliminates these risks by using only local anesthesia, which numbs the targeted areas without affecting overall bodily functions.
Faster Recovery and Less Downtime
One of the most significant drawbacks of general anesthesia is the extended recovery time it often necessitates. Patients may experience grogginess, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue for hours after their procedure. In contrast, awake liposuction allows patients to recover more quickly. Since the body does not need to process strong anesthetic drugs, patients can typically return home within hours of their procedure and resume normal activities sooner.
More Comfortable and Personalized Experience
With awake liposuction, patients remain fully aware of their surroundings but experience minimal pain due to the numbing effects of tumescent anesthesia. This allows for an interactive experience where the patient and surgeon can communicate in real-time. If necessary, adjustments can be made to ensure that the procedure aligns with the patient’s expectations. In contrast, general anesthesia removes any possibility of patient feedback, meaning the surgeon must rely solely on pre-surgical markings and estimations. By staying awake, patients can contribute to achieving their ideal aesthetic results.
Minimized Bleeding and Swelling
Tumescent anesthesia, the local numbing solution used in awake liposuction, contains agents that constrict blood vessels. This helps reduce bleeding, bruising, and post-operative swelling compared to procedures performed under general anesthesia. (3) With less trauma to the tissues, patients experience a smoother healing process and a reduced risk of complications.
Avoids the Costs Associated with General Anesthesia
Undergoing surgery with general anesthesia typically involves additional expenses, including anesthesia administration fees and the cost of an anesthesiologist. Awake liposuction eliminates these extra costs, making the procedure a more affordable option for individuals seeking body contouring treatments.
Ideal Candidates for Awake Liposuction
Awake liposuction is an excellent option for individuals looking to refine their body shape without the risks and prolonged recovery associated with general anesthesia. Ideal candidates for this procedure include:
- Those who are near their target weight and are looking to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat.
- People who are in good overall health, and free of any underlying conditions that could complicate healing.
- Patients who prefer a quicker recovery and a more comfortable surgical experience.
- Non-smokers, or those willing to stop smoking before their procedure to support optimal healing.
Each patient’s eligibility for awake liposuction will be determined at a scheduled consultation with one of our specialists at Advanced Body Sculpting Institute.
To see if you are an ideal candidate for awake liposuction, schedule a personal consultation at Advanced Body Sculpting Institute by calling (303) 708-8770.
Personal Consultation
The first step to achieving a slimmer figure is by scheduling a personal consultation at our Englewood office. This meeting will not only help determine whether or not you are an ideal candidate for liposuction but also if you may benefit from having this treatment performed while awake. This personal consultation will entail a one-on-one consultation with one of our patient coordinators at Advanced Body Sculpting Institute, who will perform a detailed examination of your current health and medical history to create a personalized treatment plan tailored toward helping you reach your goals.
To start your journey towards improving your aesthetics, please schedule a personal consultation at Advanced Body Sculpting Institute by contacting our staff online, or calling (303) 708-8770.
Preparation
Awake liposuction is a less extensive variation of traditional liposuction, meaning there is often less preparation involved. Nonetheless, the Advanced Body Sculpting Institute team will provide you with detailed preoperative instructions as necessary. Patients might need to refrain from using nicotine or certain medications as directed. Another one of the benefits often associated with awake liposuction is that patients do not have to refrain from eating or drinking the night before the procedure because there is no general anesthesia involved.
The Awake Liposuction Procedure
Each awake liposuction begins with the administration of Pro-Nox to alleviate any potential anxiety or discomfort. The surgeon will then inject a tumescent solution into the target areas to numb the region and constrict blood vessels, which helps minimize bleeding and swelling. Next, they make small, strategically placed incisions to access fat deposits. A thin tube called a cannula is then inserted to gently break down fat using ultrasound vibrations. The excess fat is then suctioned out, sculpting the body to the patient’s desired shape. Once the fat removal is complete, the surgeon may place sutures or bandages over the incision sites to aid healing. Patients can typically walk out of the clinic shortly after the procedure and return home the same day to begin their recovery.
Recovery and Results
Recovery tends to be much quicker compared to traditional liposuction. Patients may experience mild swelling and bruising in the treated areas, but these side effects typically subside within a few days. Most individuals can return to light activities within 48 hours and resume normal routines within one to two weeks. Patients will be able to see noticeable results within days, but the full effects will become increasingly visible as any residual swelling diminishes. After a few months, each patient will be able to enjoy their new, long-lasting contours. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and regular exercise will help preserve the newly sculpted physique.
Cost of Awake Liposuction Procedures in Denver, Colorado
The cost of awake liposuction will vary for each patient, but one of the benefits of this procedure is that patients save money on general anesthesia fees. The Advanced Body Sculpting Institute offers financing options to those who qualify, which can be discussed along with an overall price estimate during your personal consultation.
To find out what the full cost of your awake liposuction is, please call our Denver office at (303) 708-8770 or contact us online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does awake liposuction differ from traditional liposuction?
Awake liposuction, also known as tumescent liposuction, is a minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia. Unlike traditional liposuction, which typically requires general anesthesia, awake liposuction allows patients to remain conscious and comfortable during the procedure, reducing risks and recovery time.
What areas of the body can be treated with awake liposuction?
Awake liposuction can be used to sculpt various areas, including the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, back, chin, and neck. The procedure is highly customizable to target stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise.
What is the recovery timeline like after awake liposuction?
Most patients experience mild swelling and bruising for a few days but can typically return to light activities within 24-48 hours. Full recovery varies by individual, but many resume normal routines within a week, with continued improvements in body contour over the following months.
Am I a good candidate for awake liposuction?
Ideal candidates are in good health, close to their target weight, and looking to remove localized fat deposits. Awake liposuction is not a weight-loss solution but rather a body contouring procedure to enhance shape and definition.
References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Smith G, Goldman J. General Anesthesia for Surgeons. Nih.gov. Published 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493199/
- Conroy PH, O’Rourke J. Tumescent anaesthesia. The Surgeon. 2013;11(4):210-221. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surge.2012.12.009