AMA: I'm a physician who performs awake liposuction. Ask me anything
Most people don't know that most liposuction-related deaths and complications are more often tied to the anesthesia than the procedure itself. Let that sink in for a second.
I'm Dr. Giselle Prado-Wright, and I run ExertBodySculpt, a body sculpting practice I built specifically around awake procedures. We offer both awake and general anesthesia options, so I'm not here to bash OR surgery. But awake procedures are much safer. The only complication I consistently see with awake lipo is seroma. That's it.
The word "awake" seems to send people into a full spiral and honestly I get it. Nobody wants to be conscious while someone is doing something surgical to their body. But here's what's actually happening: you're numb. Thoroughly numb. You're not strapped to a table watching a horror movie play out in real time. Tumescent anesthesia numbs the area completely and most of my patients are chatting, listening to music, or asking me questions the whole time. Once you're actually in the room, the awake part is the least scary thing about it.
So ask me anything. Procedure questions, recovery questions, "is this right for me" questions.
Does it hurt?
Yes the numbing is uncomfortable. You will feel pressure, movement, and some discomfort when numbing is going in. It is manageable though, and for most people way less than they expected going in. If you can handle a tough workout you can handle this.
Am I a candidate?
Depends on your goals, your skin laxity, how much volume we're working with, it may need to be split up into multiple sessions.
How long is recovery?
Most people are back to light activity within days. You'll be in a compression garment, you'll be swollen longer than you expect, and you need to actually follow post-op instructions. That last part is non-negotiable.
Drop your questions below. Nothing is too basic or too weird, I've heard it all.
Dr. Giselle Prado-Wright | ExertBodySculpt