Hypnosis is used to reduce the amount of intravenous anaesthesia required to perform liposuction surgery. The patient listens to a hypnotic audiocassette tape intraoperatively.

This explains the procedure to the patient. First, relaxation techniques are used to comfort and relax the patient. The patient is then guided to experience his or her favourite place and then progressed through future positive imagery. Posthypnotic suggestions for healing and recovery are incorporated and distraction techniques are used to dissociate the patient from the procedure. The doctor has used this hypnotic tape for more than 300 patients and there has either been a marked reduction in the amount of intravenous medication needed, or frequently no intravenous medication has been needed at all. The patient returns to the recovery area fully awake and ready for discharge.