Can a BBL Be Performed with Only Local Anesthesia?

Question: Is there an option for local anesthetic for a Brazilian buttlift (BBL) with all doctors or do only specific doctors allow the BBL without going under general anesthesia?

Answer: Although the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, this procedure can be extraordinarily painful for the patient. Most patients want the most dramatic transformation possible, and you do not want to be in pain during the procedure. The patient does not want the plastic surgeon to be less effective or stop before finishing the liposuction or fat transfer procedures due to pain concerns.  If a smaller area of liposuction is considered, then local can be considered. However, if the areas of liposuction are extensive, local will likely preclude the best results. The motivation for performing the procedure under local should not be that it is cheaper to not have an anesthesiologist monitoring you during the procedure.

General anesthesia requires a trained anesthesiologist (board certified anesthesiologists are preferable) to be present at all times and to monitor the patient closely (blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate, cardiac rhythm, oxygen saturation, etc).  Always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who has performed thousands of Brazilian buttlifts and can recommend what is best for the results you are seeking.

Dr. Kenneth Benjamin Hughes, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon, is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is Harvard educated and Harvard trained.