Awake Liposuction

Awake Liposuction at Solee Cosmetic Surgery offers a revolutionary approach to body contouring, combining safety, precision, and comfort. Unlike traditional liposuction, this minimally invasive procedure is performed under local anesthesia, allowing patients to remain awake and aware throughout the process. At Solee Cosmetic Surgery, we prioritize your well-being, which is why Awake Liposuction has become one of our most requested treatments — it eliminates the risks associated with general anesthesia and significantly reduces recovery time.

WHAT IS AWAKE LIPOSUCTION?

Awake liposuction, also known as tumescent local liposuction, is a minimally invasive fat reduction treatment that does not involve the use of general anesthesia. Instead, a local anesthetic is injected to numb the area and prevent discomfort during the procedure, allowing the patient to remain awake throughout the fat removal process.

Awake lipo is best suited for the removal of minor fat deposits that do not respond to the patient’s efforts to reduce fat naturally through regular exercise and a nutritious, calorically appropriate diet. Common treatment areas include the chest, arms, neck, and abdomen. For those seeking abdominal contouring, awake liposuction can effectively target bra rolls and pesky bulges of fat.

Though being conscious during surgical fat removal does not appeal to everyone, many men and women are pleased to achieve their fat reduction goals without the need for general anesthesia. General anesthesia, which renders the patient unconscious, is likely to cause side effects such as nausea, chills, vomiting, dizziness, and memory loss.

In contrast, using a local anesthetic is associated with fewer side effects and a quicker return to normal activities. Unlike general anesthesia, which often requires an overnight stay in a hospital or surgical facility, awake liposuction allows many patients to return home the same day as their fat removal treatment.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR AWAKE LIPOSUCTION?

Whether or not awake lipo is right for you is a decision to be made by you and your surgeon. As with any cosmetic surgery, candidates must be generally healthy and free of any medical conditions that interfere with the body’s wound-healing processes.

Candidates for awake liposuction must be at a stable, healthy weight. Awake liposuction is a body contouring procedure, not a weight-loss treatment.

Patients who are considerably overweight or obese will need to reach and maintain a more ideal body weight in order to meet candidacy requirements. Weight fluctuations after liposuction can have a negative impact on your procedure results, so it is important that candidates do not have plans to gain or lose a significant amount of weight after this treatment.

Smoking and vaping can interfere with proper blood circulation, slow the healing process, and increase a patient’s risk of complications after surgery, so non-smoking patients are considered preferred candidates. However, smokers who commit to abstaining for four to six weeks before and after awake lipo, as directed by our surgeon, can also be suitable candidates.

Awake liposuction can be a good option for patients who are unable or unwilling to be “put under” with general anesthesia. However, the size of the treatment area(s) and extent of fat removal desired
will factor into our surgeon’s recommendations regarding the best liposuction approach for your unique needs.

Patients who plan to undergo a liposuction procedure involving larger treatment areas, multiple fat removal sites, and/or additional cosmetic surgeries are most often better candidates for liposuction with general anesthesia. Additionally, patients who are queasy about needles or other aspects of surgery may want to opt for liposuction under general anesthesia as opposed to awake lipo.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR AWAKE LIPO CONSULTATION

The first step in the tumescent local lipo treatment process is a consultation with one of our surgeons. At this initial appointment, you will be asked about your aesthetic goals, and our surgeon will perform a physical examination of the proposed treatment area(s).

The exam will allow our surgeon to determine how much unwanted fat is present and can be safely removed and whether your skin has the necessary elasticity to contract aesthetically to fit your trimmer post-op contours. If there is loose, drooping skin at the treatment site, our surgeon can discuss your options for a combination procedure that pairs the appropriate liposuction technique with surgical skin excision or internal radiofrequency skin tightening.

Your consultation will also include a review of your relevant medical records. Our surgeon must be provided with complete information regarding diagnosed medical conditions, previous surgeries, allergies, and any prescription and/or over-the-counter medications you take. Our surgeon will need to know whether you have ever experienced abnormal scarring, as well.

Our surgeon will use all of the information gathered during this appointment to assess whether awake lipo is the best treatment approach for you. Your treatment options can then be discussed with you in detail.

Our team strives to support our patients however we can in making an informed choice for their care. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about awake lipo, complementary cosmetic enhancement procedures, pre and post-operative requirements, and/or other aspects of your personalized treatment plan during your consultation.

WHAT DOES AN AWAKE LIPO PROCEDURE INVOLVE?

First, our surgeon will use a surgical marker to draw on the treatment area, as needed, to create a visual map of your unique awake lipo surgical plan. We are happy to review procedure details with you at this time, if you’d like, and can address any final questions you might have.

To begin the procedure, our cosmetic surgeon will administer the local anesthetic. This involves the subcutaneous injection of tumescent fluid at the targeted site. Tumescent fluid contains saline, lidocaine to numb the area, and epinephrine to minimize bleeding.

Depending on the patient’s needs and personal preference, oral sedation may be paired with the local anesthetic to ensure that he or she is as relaxed as possible during the procedure. The combination of oral sedation and local anesthesia is often referred to as twilight sedation.
In either case, you will be conscious for the duration of your fat removal treatment.

Once the surgeon is assured of your complete comfort, the necessary incisions can be made. Awake lipo incisions are quite small and function as insertion sites for the liposuction cannula.

A liposuction cannula is a thin tube that is gently manipulated to separate fat cells from the surrounding tissue before a specialized medical suction device is used to draw the unwanted fat cells through the inserted cannula and out of the body for good.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AWAKE LIPOSUCTION RECOVERY

You will be able to go home within a short time after your procedure is complete. Before you leave, we will review your post-op care instructions with you and fit you with a compression garment.

Wearing the compression garment as directed helps to secure and protect your enhanced contours and encourage optimal skin retraction. Compression garments also work to minimize post-op swelling, bruising, and discomfort. These symptoms are a normal part of the recovery process and will gradually diminish as healing progresses.

IV vitamin hydration therapy, along with daily lymphatic massage and hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions can significantly shorten the duration of your awake lipo recovery period. These and other surgical aftercare treatments are available at Solee Cosmetic Surgery our medical practices and are highly recommended to support optimal healing.

AWAKE LIPOSUCTION SURGERY RESULTS

Awake liposuction, like every type of liposuction, permanently removes the targeted fat cells. Patients who practice healthy lifestyle habits and properly manage their weight can enjoy long-lasting improvements from an awake lipo treatment.

To maximize your awake lipo results, we will design a personalized protocol of non-surgical cosmetic treatments which will allow you to maintain and even enhance your awake lipo outcome. Our customized treatment plans for promoting firm, smooth, and slim contours and a youthful look long-term can include a combination of:

Bioelectrical muscle toning and strengthening with truSculpt® flex or BodyTone
Skin tightening and collagen stimulation with external radiofrequency and/or ultrasound treatments
Cellulite reduction with Avéli
Contour refinements with bio-stimulatory dermal fillers like Sculptra® and Bellafill®
Non-surgical fat reduction with Kybella® or BTL Vanquish ME
Hormonal optimization to promote weight management and other aspects of overall wellness
Hormone peptide therapy to aid in muscle development and fat reduction

ADVANTAGES OF AWAKE LIPOSUCTION

In comparison to traditional liposuction performed with general anesthesia, tumescent local liposuction offers the following advantages:

The patient remains alert during the surgery and can change positions, as needed to allow the surgeon optimal access to the treatment area.
Less post-op swelling and bruising for a more comfortable recovery experience.
Minimal downtime and shorter overall recovery time
Patients do not need to stay on-site for hours of post-op monitoring once their surgery is complete.
\Initial improvements are often visible immediately.