Local Anesthesia vs. General Anesthsia

Author Rod Davis, PA-C, Director of Surgery at Pacific Lipo

Liposculpture under local anesthesia is the safest way to have liposuction. However, there are some people who may find it more uncomfortable than most other patients. I once performed a procedure on a patient who shared with me (after starting her procedure) that she always has difficulty when going to her dentist and requires multiple injections of the anesthetic to complete her dental procedures. Such people are commonly referred to as “lidocaine resistant” and may have a more comfortable experience if they were under general anesthesia (sleeping). However, general anesthesia is less safe and much more expensive. There were a handful of times when we stopped for a few minutes to add extra anesthetic during this person’s procedure but this is expected. She was still able to complete her procedure and even drive herself home afterwards. She scheduled another procedure in our office immediately afterwards. :)

Many members of our staff, including myself, have had a liposculpture (lipo) procedure. Most patients anticipate that lipo will not be a completely pain-free event for every patient but neither is laser hair removal, waxing, Botox, dental procedures, etc. So like many other procedures, one should have some expectation of momentary discomfort but most patients are pleasantly surprised.

The numbing phase tends to be the only uncomfortable part but normally just last for 5-10 minutes. Anyone can view website videos of actual patients having the same procedure that this person had but they are clearly comfortable and experiencing no pain while having their problem areas reshaped. Please visit Pacific Lipo's YouTube Channel to see patients having a procedure.

As for the incisions, we do not use stitches which allows for a couple of days of drainage (lessens swelling and bruising). Therefore, the incisions are still a little stretched immediately following the procedure. They normally heal about the size of a freckle and sometimes fade significantly but that takes some time. The incisions do shrink, bruising does fade, and the discomfort usually passes after a 2-6 weeks. To view before and photos of what incisions and results may look like immediately after our procedures (1 week later, 1 month, and several months after) , please visit Pacific Lipo's Photo Gallery.

Consultations are free and pricing is all-inclusive.  Please call a Pacific Lipo Patient Coordinator at (858) 427-8899 for details or to scheduled a complimentary consultation.

Military Inch Loss - Liposculpture With Rod Davis

Pacific Lipo's Director of Surgery, Rod Davis, PA, preps a Marine for lipoculpture procedure.  This Marine has a tape test that he needs to pass later in the week.  The patient is looking for immediate and permanent inch loss that will save his career with the Marine Corps.  Davis will target this patient's love handles, upper, and lower abdomen to remove inches of fat and get him within his require measurements.

"Experience and reputation matter”, says Rod Davis, Director of Surgery, PA-Certified, of Pacific Lipo. “That’s why we remain one of the top lipo centers in California.” Davis has performed over 15,000 lipo procedures and is considered an expert in his field. He specializes in tumescent liposuction and has a track record of helping each one of his military patients get their body within the required measurements. To view before and after pictures, refer to Pacific Lipo's Military Patients Photo Gallery.

For more information about Rod Davis, Physician Assistant, visit www.RodDavisPA.com or call Pacific Lipo at (858) 427-8899 to schedule a consultation for his professional advice.

Tumescent Lipo - Are You A Good Candidate?

Author Rod Davis, PA-C, Director of Surgery, Pacific Lipo

Tumescent anesthesia liposuction can be of great benefit for most people who have fatty deposits in areas of their bodies that have not responded well to dieting and exercise. However, the best candidates for tumescent liposuction are active, healthy persons of average weight and good skin tone, and who have never had a lipo procedure to the same body part. Overweight individuals can also benefit from tumescent liposuction, especially if they are in the process of exercising and losing weight. The tumescent liposuction technique should be judiciously used in the morbidly obese. Ideal patients have committed to healthier habits and do not consider liposuction to be a substitute for exercising.

Your liposuction specialist should listen to your goals of the treatment to better ascertain whether you have realistic expectations for what liposuction can and cannot do. It is best that liposuction patients have no significant medical problems. Age by itself is not a significant factor in tumescent liposuction.

The best way to know if you are a good candidate for tumescent lipo is to schedule a consultation with a tumescent liposuction specialist. Consultations allow for you to learn about the procedure and for you to develop realistic expectations.  

For more information on Liposuction in San Diego, California, please contact Pacific Lipo at (858) 427-8899.

To ask Physician Assistant Rod Davis a liposuction question – email rod@pacificlipo.com. Rod Davis is the Director of Surgery at Pacific Liposculpture in La Jolla, California. To view before/after photos of Rod’s work, visit the photo gallery @ www.pacificlipo.com.