Is Awake Liposuction Painful?

During your awake liposuction, you will be pain-free due to the local anesthesia. Post-surgery, you might have mild to moderate pain, but Dr. Pace can prescribe pain medication and also give you compression garments to help relieve these symptoms.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Dr. Pace will want you to return at the one-week mark to remove any sutures and monitor your recovery. Beyond that, he will let you know when he wants to see you next.

How Long Until I See Results?

Most patients will see results immediately, but once the swelling goes down, they will only get better after a few weeks.

Can I Combine Awake Liposuction With Other Procedures?

Yes, you can! Many of our patients who have received awake liposuction in Greensboro have combined it with other body contouring procedures. However, since this is performed under local instead of general anesthesia, there are some limitations. Make sure to discuss all your concerns with Dr. Pace at your consultation so you can come up with a comprehensive plan to address all your aesthetic needs.

What Are the Risks Associated With Awake Liposuction?

Even though awake liposuction is less risky than traditional liposuction, it still comes with certain risks. Some of them are the following: Anesthesia risks Asymmetry Bleeding Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications Fat necrosis Fluid accumulation Infection Numbness or other changes in skin sensation Persistent pain Poor wound healing Possibility of revisional surgery Recurrent looseness of skin Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling Skin loss Suboptimal aesthetic result Unfavorable scarring If you begin to experience concerning reactions or have long-lasting side effects, please contact Greensboro Plastic Surgery immediately.

Awake Liposuction In North Carolina | Greensboro Plastic Surgery

What is Awake Liposuction?
Who are the best candidates?
What are the benefits?
What’s the first step?
What to expect?
Recovery
How much does it cost?
Faqs

Introduction to Awake Liposuction

Awake liposuction is exactly as it sounds – getting liposuction, or fat suctioning, while you are awake. Patients who do not want to get general anesthesia and want to be part of the process prefer this liposuction method. It is more affordable and has a faster recovery time. If you want awake liposuction in Greensboro, NC, consider scheduling a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Collier Pace of Greensboro Plastic Surgery.

What is Awake Liposuction?

Awake liposuction is the process of getting liposuction, or fat removal, using a cannula and suction pump whilst avoiding general anesthesia. Dr. Pace will use sedatives and local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during this minimally invasive surgery. Awake liposuction is incredibly versatile and can be performed almost anywhere. Some of the more common areas include the following:

Abdomen
Armpits
Arms
Chest
Chin
Flanks
Hips
Legs
Waist

a woman looking to the side, head cocked and touching face with hand

What Are the Benefits of Awake Liposuction?

Our patients who have gotten awake liposuction in Greensboro at Greensboro Plastic Surgery have enjoyed their lower recovery downtime. Some other benefits of the procedure include:

Faster process
Less bruising
Less risky
Less swelling
More effective body sculpting as patient and surgeon in communication
More affordable
Quicker recovery
The use of tumescent fluid makes the fat swell and makes it easier to identify.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Awake Liposuction?

Awake liposuction can make liposuction accessible to patients with a BMI of 40 who would be denied liposuction due to general anesthesia. They might need multiple sessions but are still allowed to receive liposuction in this manner. Other characteristics of ideal candidates include:

Accepting procedure risks
At an ideal body weight
Low self-esteem due to excess fat
Maintain realistic expectations
No underlying medical conditions
Non-smokers or willing to quit before surgery

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting awake liposuction is to schedule your consultation with Dr. Collier Pace. During the appointment, Dr. Pace will discuss your medical history, including your pre-existing medical conditions that make you more viable for awake liposuction as opposed to traditional liposuction. If you have hypertension, cardio-pulmonary, renal, or sleep apnea challenges, general anesthesia is unadvisable, and hence so is traditional liposuction. As Dr. Pace examines your target area, he will outline the procedure with the associated pros and cons, identifying incision areas to minimize scarring.

If you are deemed to be an ideal candidate for the procedure and you both want to proceed with it, Dr. Pace will create your surgical plan. You can take this plan to our patient concierge for scheduling and pricing, as well as to receive any pre-operative instructions.

What to Expect on the Day of Awake Liposuction Surgery

On the day of your awake liposuction treatment in Greensboro, Dr. Pace and his staff will welcome you to the practice and get you settled in the state-of-the-art surgical suite. The staff will review your surgical plan to make sure you do not have any further questions. It is paramount to Dr. Pace that his patients are comfortable ahead of the procedure. Finally, Dr. Pace will numb the target areas with local anesthetics.

Once you are sufficiently numb, Dr. Pace will begin by creating incisions and then carefully pass a cannula into your body through small incisions. If you feel pain, it is important to notify Dr. Pace, as the area can be further numbed with a tumescent solution, which is a local anesthetic that reduces pain and bleeding. As he performs the liposuction, Dr. Pace might ask you to contract or move your muscles in certain positions so that he can sculpt your contours. This allows Dr. Pace to work toward your expectations as he can get live feedback.

Depending on the target area, this procedure can take anywhere from one to four hours.

Awake Liposuction Recovery

Since awake liposuction does not involve general anesthesia, recovery is faster. Patients can leave an hour after surgery.

After a few days, patients can return to work and normal activities. However, it is recommended that they stay away from strenuous activity for up to a week, giving the swelling and bruising time to resolve.

How Much Does Awake Liposuction Cost in Greensboro, NC?

The cost of awake liposuction in Greensboro will vary depending on the size of the target area, the surgeon’s fees, and the amount of anesthesia used. Patients are encouraged to schedule a consultation with Dr. Pace to create a customized surgical plan for an accurate price estimate.

Why choose Dr. Pace?

Given the number of medical clinics sprouting around, we understand that choosing the best match for your awake liposuction in Greensboro, NC, is difficult. However, Greensboro Plastic Surgery is a clinic that will make you feel heard and safe before even attempting to propose a treatment plan, thanks to the guidance that comes from Dr. Pace’s breadth of experience internationally and from his rigorous training by leaders in the field and at reputable institutions.

Dr. Collier Pace received his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and has been in practice for 6 years. He specializes in aesthetic/cosmetic plastic surgery, hand and facial plastic, and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Pace is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American College of Surgeons (FACS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (SESPERS).

Schedule your consultation

As one of the top-rated plastic surgeons in the country, board-certified Dr. Collier Pace uses his vast training and experience to help guide you through all aspects of your body contouring journey with the best awake liposuction in Greensboro. If you are looking to learn more about awake liposuction in Greensboro, contact us today to learn more!

Awake Liposuction FAQs

Yes, you can! Many of our patients who have received awake liposuction in Greensboro have combined it with other body contouring procedures. However, since this is performed under local instead of general anesthesia, there are some limitations. Make sure to discuss all your concerns with Dr. Pace at your consultation so you can come up with a comprehensive plan to address all your aesthetic needs.
Even though awake liposuction is less risky than traditional liposuction, it still comes with certain risks. Some of them are the following:
- Anesthesia risks
- Asymmetry
- Bleeding
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Fat necrosis
- Fluid accumulation
- Infection
- Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
- Persistent pain
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Recurrent looseness of skin
- Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
- Skin loss
- Suboptimal aesthetic result
- Unfavorable scarring
If you begin to experience concerning reactions or have long-lasting side effects, please contact Greensboro Plastic Surgery immediately.

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At Greensboro Plastic Surgery, we believe that knowledge is power, which is why we are open and upfront about every aspect of your procedure. We have created a page to address any of your concerns and help you make the best decisions for you and your body. Please read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out and set up your consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.

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Awake Liposuction in Greensboro, NC