Body contouring is a class of procedures designed to enhance a person’s body aesthetics through a variety of methods, such as addressing excess skin and stubborn pockets of body fat. (1)
Modern cosmetic surgery has made tremendous strides in minimizing patient downtime. One of the most notable advancements in this field is the growing number of procedures that can now be performed using local anesthesia and other numbing methods, keeping you awake and comfortable throughout your treatment. Whether you are looking to sculpt your midsection, define your arms, or add volume to another area with a fat transfer, awake procedures offer an efficient, cost-effective, and safe solution to your goals.
The team at Millard Plastic Surgery Center in Denver has established itself as the premier practice for patients throughout Colorado looking to sculpt their figures. Millard Plastic Surgery Center has garnered a reputation as a high-end practice, offering innovative and premier treatments with exceptional results.
To explore the many body contouring treatments offered at Millard Plastic Surgery Center, schedule a personal consultation online or by calling (303) 792-5665.
About Awake Body Contouring
Awake procedures utilize local anesthesia, allowing patients to remain conscious and comfortable. This technique reduces many of the risks associated with general anesthesia. In many cases, awake procedures also reduce costs by eliminating hospital stays and anesthesiologist fees. (2) If you are in overall good health and looking for a more accessible approach to body enhancement, you may be a strong candidate for staying awake during your procedure.
Millard Plastic Surgery Center sets itself apart from other practices by specializing in these awake body treatments. Some of our awake procedure options include:
Liposuction (Including VASER Hi-Def and VASER Lipo)
Liposuction is one of the most popular awake procedures at Millard Plastic Surgery. Using advanced techniques such as VASER Lipo and VASER Hi-Def, we can precisely sculpt targeted areas while patients remain conscious and relaxed. VASER technology uses ultrasound energy to emulsify fat, making it easier to remove while preserving surrounding tissues.
Awake Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)
The awake BBL is for patients seeking fuller, more lifted buttocks without the downtime associated with traditional BBL surgery. During your treatment, fat will be removed from areas such as the waist, abdomen, or thighs using VASER-assisted liposuction and then transferred to the buttocks using the Wells Johnson High Volume Precision (HVP) Auto-Graft Infusion System. This advanced fat transfer system eliminates the need for a centrifuge and ensures higher fat retention.
Fat Transfer to the Body (Non-BBL)
In addition to the BBL, fat transfer procedures can be used to enhance other areas of the body, including the hips, breasts, or hands. These procedures can also be done under local anesthesia using our high-tech Wells Johnson HVP system. Because these techniques use your own body fat and do not require synthetic materials, fat transfers are a more natural and biocompatible approach to bodysculpting.
Cellulaze
Cellulaze is a minimally invasive laser treatment that works by targeting the underlying structure of cellulite to create smoother and firmer skin. Unlike other forms of cellulite treatment, such as creams, Cellulaze uses a specialized handheld laser device that releases the fibrous bands that cause dimpling while also liquifying excess fat and stimulating collagen production in the process. This treatment is often performed on areas such as the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen.
Gynecomastia Treatment
Gynecomastia treatments can be performed with the patient awake for men who wish to address excess breast tissue. This procedure involves removing fat and glandular tissue from the chest using a combination of VASER liposuction and small incisions along the chest crease or areola. The incisions are placed discreetly to ensure minimal visibility post-healing.
Contouring of the Arms, Legs, and Other Areas
The Millard Plastic Surgery Center staff can perform body contouring of the arms, thighs, and other specific body parts, such as the abdomen, with only local anesthesia. These areas are ideal for awake liposuction, especially when using the precision of VASER technology. Whether you are looking to reduce bulk or create more athletic contours, awake contouring of these zones allows for controlled fat removal and minimal downtime, making it possible to recover in a shorter timeframe compared to traditional anesthesia methods.
EMSCULPT Body Enhancement
While not a surgical procedure, EMSCULPT is one of our most innovative non-invasive body sculpting treatments. EMSCULPT uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to stimulate deep muscle contractions that are far more powerful than what you could achieve through voluntary exercise. This builds muscle tone and strength while enhancing body contours.
When used on the buttocks, EMSCULPT is programmed with a unique setting that builds muscle without targeting fat. Most patients seeking this treatment are looking to increase volume, not reduce it. EMSCULPT is minimally invasive, requires no general anesthesia, and is often paired with awake liposuction for comprehensive body enhancement.
Benefits
Patients undergoing awake procedures can experience many potential benefits. Under the expert care of the Millard Plastic Surgery Center team, our patients see advantages like:
- No General Anesthesia: Avoiding a breathing tube and associated anesthesia risks can be a safer option for many patients.
- Lower Costs: No need for hospital operating rooms or anesthesiology services reduces the total procedure cost.
- Faster Recovery: Patients are often able to go home the same day, with minimal downtime.
- Real-Time Communication: Remaining awake enables your surgeon to communicate with you.
- Natural Results: Procedures like VASER Hi-Def and fat transfer performed under local anesthesia allow for greater attention to detail and sculptural finesse.
Ideal Candidates
Multiple factors will dictate your eligibility for an awake body contouring procedure. Ideal candidates are usually:
- Individuals with realistic expectations about the outcome
- Those looking for minor to moderate fat removal or sculpting
- Patients in good general health who can endure awake procedures
- Patients aiming to avoid general anesthesia due to medical or personal reasons
- Men and women in good shape who want to highlight their natural muscle tone
Whether or not you are an ideal candidate for awake procedures will be determined during your personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
During your consultation, our team will evaluate your treatment goals, current physical condition, and surgical history to determine whether awake surgery is the right choice for you. We will review the areas you want to treat and explain how our techniques, such as VASER lipo, awake BBL, or fat transfer, will help you achieve those goals with maximum safety and efficiency. We will also outline what to expect during surgery and recovery and provide a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to your anatomy and unique goals. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, and learn more about the treatments offered by Millard Plastic Surgery Center.
To schedule this personal consultation and get started on your rejuvenation journey, contact Millard Plastic Surgery online or by calling (303) 792-5665.
Preparation
The preparation process will look different for each patient, depending on which treatments they elect to receive. Our team will give you detailed preparation guidelines before your procedure. These may include temporarily stopping certain medications, often those with blood-thinning properties, and avoiding nicotine and alcohol to support healing. Our staff will be available to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Recovery and Results
Recovery times vary based on the procedures performed, but awake body surgeries generally promote faster healing. You may experience swelling, bruising, and soreness, but most patients return to light activity within a few days. Final results will begin to emerge as your body heals and swelling subsides, with improvements becoming more noticeable over time. You can expect to maintain your new, desirable contours for years to come if you commit to healthy lifestyle habits.
Additional Procedures
Millard Plastic Surgery Center offers many different awake procedures besides those that enhance the body. We also offer a variety of facial rejuvenation procedures, as well as nonsurgical wellness treatments such as semaglutide and tirzepatide. If you are interested in incorporating other procedures in your treatment plan, our staff can happily help you explore your options.
Cost of Awake Body Procedures in Denver
The cost of your treatment will depend on what procedures you elect to undergo, and our staff will provide you with a detailed cost estimate once the specifics of your treatment plan are established. Our staff would also be happy to discuss the various financing options we offer to those who qualify.
Schedule a personal consultation with our team online or by calling (303) 792-5665 to explore the awake body contouring options available and start your journey toward your ideal physique.
FAQ
Will anesthesia be used during my procedure?
Most awake body contouring procedures at Millard Plastic Surgery Center utilize local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. This avoids utilizing general anesthesia and the associated risk. Does Millard Plastic Surgery Center offer financing? Yes, financing options are available to qualifying patients and can be explored in detail during your personal consultation.
What are some of the procedures I can stay awake for?
Millard Plastic Surgery Center offers procedures such as various forms of liposuction, fat transfer treatments, EMSCULPT, and numerous treatments that allow patients to stay awake.
How long do awake body contouring procedures last?
Procedure times will vary depending on the treatment you undergo and whether or not you choose to combine treatments. Awake procedures can last anywhere from one to several hours.
How do I know which treatments are right for me?
At Millard Plastic Surgery Center, we value a patient-first approach and will sit down with each patient to examine their anatomy and goals. Through collaboration with one another, Millard Plastic Surgery will ultimately create a personalized treatment plan for each patient that includes recommendations for treatments that our team feels the patient can benefit most from.
References
- O’Toole JP, Song A, Rubin JP. The History of Body Contouring Surgery. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2006;20(01):005-008. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-932443
- Seify H. Awake Plastic Surgery Procedures: The Use of a Sufentanil Sublingual Tablet to Improve Patient Experience. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. 2022;4. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojab056