A 41-year-old member asked:
can they just do an epidural when you want to get cosmetic plastic surgery similar to when you want to get a bigger butt?
4 doctor answers

Dr. David Rosenfeld answered
27 years experience Pain Management
They could: In reality, it could be done, it just never is.
An epidural would be fine for procedures from the belly button down. I have to admit that in 15 years of practice I have never seen it done.
Why you ask? Likely because it would require keeping the patient around post-op for a long time to allow the epidural to wear off.
Answered on Sep 14, 2013
2
2 comments

Dr. Cynthia Poulos commented
36 years experience Plastic Surgery
It is possible, but why do you ask? Is there some risk you are concerned about? It sounds like you need to discuss this with a surgeon who is experienced in the procedure. Number one, if you have health issues and are concerned about anesthesia surgery may not be the right choice for you. Two , it is important for your surgeon to be comfortable with the choice of anesthesia .
Sep 14, 2013

Dr. Thomas Fiala commented
33 years experience Plastic Surgery
Also, depends where you are harvesting the fat from - if it's from your abdomen, you would not have reliable anesthesia of the upper abdomen with an epidural....
Jun 18, 2013

Dr. Otto Placik answered
34 years experience Plastic Surgery
Not consistent: Epidural anesthesia can be wonderful for delivery but may not provide consistent anesthetic levels that we seek when performing cosmetic surgery. In these cases local anesthesia supplementation is necessary. In instances where are patents are kept in the hospital for several days, it may be an option. However, in most instances, recovery is not predictable and urine retention can be a problem.
Answered on Jun 30, 2013

Dr. Tom Pousti answered
Specializes in Plastic Surgery
Possible.: Although the use of an epidural anesthetic may be possible for procedures performed below the belly button, i prefer the use of general anesthesia which i find ensures patients comfort, safety, allows for a immobile patient, and allows for surgery from head to toe. Safety considerations are always paramount and patients should be aware of the qualifications of their surgeon and anesthesiologist.
Answered on Jul 2, 2013

Dr. Francisco Agullo answered
20 years experience Plastic Surgery
Possible: Many plastic surgeons can perform procedures with spinal anesthesia. Talk to your plastic surgeon to discuss which types of anesthesia he uses.
Answered on Jul 29, 2013
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
People also searched for:
Connect by text or video with a U.S. board-certified doctor now — wait time is less than 1 minute!
24/7 visits
$15 per month