Is liposuction painful?

After the anesthesia used during the liposuction procedures wears off, there is generally some pain to be expected, notes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Prolonged or extreme pain should be evaluated by a physician.

There is no pain during the actual liposuction itself, notes the FDA. The patient is under anesthesia for the entire procedure, whether it is local or general anesthesia. Some surgeons use only local anesthesia in the area where the liposuction takes place, and a sedative may also be given along with the local anesthetic. Some surgeons use general anesthesia that puts the patient to sleep during the liposuction procedure.