Is liposuction painful?

Liposuction is typically performed using either local or general anesthesia to ensure the patient does not experience pain during the procedure. Due to the effects of the anesthetic medications, most patients do not feel pain at the liposuction sites during surgery. After the procedure, as the anesthesia gradually wears off, patients may experience a certain degree of pain, discomfort, or tightness. These sensations vary from person to person and depend on individual pain tolerance, the extent of the surgery, and postoperative care, among other factors. To alleviate postoperative pain, doctors usually prescribe pain medications and recommend patients follow specific postoperative care instructions, such as wearing compression garments and avoiding strenuous activities, to promote recovery and reduce discomfort. Therefore, although the liposuction procedure itself is painless under anesthesia, there may be some degree of postoperative pain. However, with appropriate medication and postoperative care, this pain is generally manageable.