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Tummy Tuck - Avoiding General Anesthesia

How would you feel about being able to talk with your physician while undergoing a tummy tuck? Would you consider checking out his or her handy work before the procedure is complete? Some patients have the option of skipping general anesthesia and going with one of the other options available. While they are still given a local anesthetic to ensure that the pain is minimal, they are awake and able to respond to questions and comments.

There are a variety of different opinions on whether skipping general anesthesia during a tummy tuck is a good idea. Some plastic surgeons offer and often encourage this type of service for their patients. They believe that there are health benefits to avoiding "going completely under," and provide a few alternatives for patients to choose from. On the other hand, some plastic surgeons believe that this practice compromises both the health and well being of a patient while complicating the expected results.

The Extent of Your Procedure

One of the determining factors involved in a tummy tuck and the type of anesthesia is the extent of the procedure. Some patients come in for a minor issue that only involves a small area of the abdomen. Others are looking for a complete abdominoplasty with work taking place on a larger scale.

Remember that general anesthesia isn't just about providing you with pain relief and a relaxing nap during your tummy tuck. It also shuts portions of your body down, including some of your natural reflexes that can't help but come out when you are undergoing this type of surgery. You don't want to make a movement that seems completely natural but puts your procedure at risk.

Health Risks and Concerns

As with any type of plastic surgery, before a tummy tuck the surgeon makes sure that a patient is healthy enough to undergo the procedure. A variety of factors are considered before moving forward. Certain circumstances make general anesthesia a health risk. Many patients don't come out of it easily and for others the anesthesia adds to the amount of time necessary for recovery. This is an important conversation that patient and doctor should have way before the decision to continue is made.

Consulting with Your Physician

Sometimes you know going into it that you aren't going to be able to have general anesthesia. Other times you just want to avoid being completely under for an extended amount of time. Whatever your concern, be sure to talk to your primary care physician. He or she should be able to provide you with information specific to your body. They could offer to make a recommendation for a safe alternative to general anesthesia.

By: aabadie

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