Anesthesia:  What Are My Options?

Fairfield County and Norwalk, Connecticut

If you are planning to have cosmetic surgery, you may have questions about the kind of anesthesia that will be used during your procedure. As you explore your surgical options with your doctor, you should discuss these questions and concerns. Be sure to let him know of any other health conditions you might have that could affect which type of anesthesia is best for you. 

Many non-surgical cosmetic procedures (injections, peels, etc.) require no anesthesia, or only local anesthesia to temporarily numb the specific area of the body being worked on.

Office-based Anesthesia

For most surgical procedures done in our offices, a local anesthetic will be injected to numb the area being worked on, and in addition, conscious sedation (also called “twilight sedation”) will be used to relax you. During conscious sedation, you will be given a sedative medication intravenously (through an IV). You will not be totally unconscious, but extremely relaxed and not very aware of things around you. During this time, various monitors will be used to measure your blood pressure, heart rate, and the amount of oxygen in your blood.

After your procedure, you may not remember much about the procedure itself. You will need to rest in our comfortable after-care facilities until your care team is sure you’re more alert. Even so, after conscious sedation you will be unable to drive safely or perform other complex tasks, so you will need someone available to drive you home and stay with you the first night.

General Anesthesia

For more complicated procedures, some procedures performed on the face, or if a large area of your body will be worked on, you may need general anesthesia (i.e., to be “put to sleep”) in a hospital setting. Young children, who are not able to keep still during surgery, will probably require general anesthesia for most surgical procedures. General anesthesia is administered by an anesthesiologist (a physician specialist) and/or a nurse anesthetist. Both are highly trained professionals who will closely monitor you during and after your procedure.

If you need general anesthesia, your doctor may prefer that you remain in the hospital overnight, to give you time to recover completely from anesthesia and to make sure your blood pressure and other vital signs are normal. You should still have someone to drive you home and to make sure you’re okay the first day or so.

Here are some examples of the types of anesthesia most often used for various cosmetic procedures.

Local Anesthesia Only

• Skin resurfacing

Conscious Sedation + Local Anesthesia

• Liposuction (unless extensive)
• Breast implants
• Eyelid surgery
• Ear surgery (except young children)
• Face lift (or general anesthesia)
• Tummy tuck (or general anesthesia)
• Rhinoplasty (or general anesthesia)

General Anesthesia

• Breast reduction
• Lower body lift (butt lift)
• Arm lift
• Facial implants

If you are considering cosmetic surgery and you have any questions about the type of anesthesia that is most appropriate for your procedure, please call our offices. Our board-certified plastic surgeon has over 20 years’ experience, and has performed hundreds of safe, successful cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Our highly trained care team has your safety, comfort and satisfaction as our highest goal.

For more information, or to schedule a initial consultation, please contact Cosmetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Dr. Rick Rosen, M.D., F.A.C.S. today to schedule your no-cost initial consultation.