Very timely post and a subject of intense interest to me. Have just been recruited to write the anesthesia chapter for the plastic surgeon's book on this very subject.

For the past 17 years, my 'crusade' has been for anesthesia patient safety in cosmetic surgery. PK anesthesia has worked well for all types of cosmetic surgery since I developed it in 1992.

I am not soliciting patients or 'selling' anything.

There have been no deaths in more than 4,000 patients of over 100 different surgeons, especially from blood clots to the lungs, apparently a leading cause of death from this type of post-bariatric body-contouring surgery.

Refined with the addition of brain activity monitoring in 1997, PK anesthesia is just like general anesthesia BUT without the risks. Patients do not hear, feel or remember their operation.

Because there is essentially no nausea or vomiting after surgery, the technique has made me a 'hero' to my patients for the past 17 years, especially for those patients for whom this has previously been a problem.

Cases as long as 8-12 hours have been successfully performed with this anesthesia. My preference however is to limit case time to 4-6 hours rather than try to accomplish too much surgery at a single sitting.

If you have been through this type of surgery and have an anesthesia story to share, please follow up or email mail me privately. I would very much like to hear your stories.

Good luck to those who are approaching the experience. I applaud your determination to make a real life changing decision. I wish you every success.