Local VS General Anesthesia Plastic Surgery Guide

Some patients prefer being awake during a plastic surgery procedure, while others insist on being asleep during their procedure. While some less-invasive procedures such as liposuction may be performed under local anesthesia, more invasive procedures like a tummy tuck require general anesthesia. Let's go over the differences between these two options and provide a reference guide for our practice in terms of which procedures are offered under local vs general anesthesia.

Local VS General Anesthesia

Local anesthesia simply means that only the area that will have the procedure is numbed and the patient is awake during the procedure. Whereas with general anesthesia, the patient is completely asleep and unconscious during the procedure. For procedures under general anesthesia, patients will receive medication by IV or by inhaling it and a ventilator will breathe for you.

Which Procedures Are Performed Under Local Anesthesia?

Each plastic surgeon will determine which procedures they offer under local or general anesthesia. At our practice, these are the procedures that we offer under local anesthesia:

  • Liposuction

  • Mini tummy tuck

  • Neck lift

  • Facelift

  • Scar revision

  • Upper lip lift

  • Buccal fat removal

  • Umbilicoplasty

  • Areola reduction

  • Blepharoplasty

  • Brazilian butt lift

  • Breast implant removal

  • Brow lift

  • Earlobe correction/reduction

  • Gynecomastia

  • Labiaplasty


Which Procedures Are Performed Under General Anesthesia?

At our practice, these are the procedures we offer under general anesthesia:

  • Breast lift with implants

  • Breast reduction

  • FTM top surgery

  • Rhinoplasty

  • Scrotoplasty

  • Thigh lift

  • Tummy tuck

  • Mommy makeover

  • Breast augmentation

  • Body lift

  • Arm lift

  • Breast implant removal with capsulectomy

  • Breast lift


If you’re interested in booking a consultation with one of our talented plastic surgeons in Orlando, FL, we offer both virtual and in-person consultations where you will receive an evaluation, discuss your goals, ask any questions you may have, and then receive an exact quote along with financing information. To book your consultation, call us at (407) 377-5438 or fill out our online form here and a patient concierge will be in contact with you.