Local Anesthesia (Tumescent Technique)

Local anesthesia has several advantages.

  • Recovery is instantaneous
  • There is no grogginess or nausea
  • The patient is able to leave immediately after completion of liposuction.
  • Most patients recover quickly and want to resume all activities right away. Nevertheless, Dr. Pitman asks everyone to rest at home 1-4 days depending on the number of areas treated. A brief period of rest ensures faster recovery and better results.

Dr. Pitman can treat all areas under local anesthesia:

  • neck and chin
  • chest (including breast reduction with liposuction)
  • waist
  • back
  • tummy
  • hips
  • buttocks
  • thighs
  • knees
  • calves and ankles

Click here to view before and after photos.

Dr Pitman uses the tumescent technique for local anesthesia.

Prior to starting liposuction, the fat is infiltrated with a salt-water solution containing a mixture of dilute lidocaine and adrenaline. Lidocaine is a potent local anesthetic, and adrenaline is a naturally occurring hormone which promotes shrinkage of blood vessels.

  • Lidocaine produces anesthesia in the area of liposuction.
  • Patients frequently say fat removal feels like a gentle massage.
  • Under pure local anesthesia the patient is never groggy or sedated.

Shrinkage of blood vessels by adrenaline results in:

  • reduced bruising
  • reduced swelling
  • rapid recovery

When anesthesia wears off, 8-10 hours after liposuction, blood vessels expand to their normal size to bring nourishing and healing nutrients to the treated area. Recovery is enhanced and hastened.

Dr. Pitman uses the tumescent technique for all patients.

To schedule a consultation, call (212) 517-2600 or e-mail the office.

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