Anesthesia used during a facelift?

 Hello,

While age is a factor, the real key is your health regarding the type of anesthesia.  If you are medically cleared by your primary care doctor then you can either form of anesthesia.

It is very common to have a Facelift using IV sedation.  Some doctors feel that there is less post operative nausea using IV sedation vs. a general anesthetic.  Some of this may be related to medication sensitivity.  A general anesthetic usually requires an anesthesiologist so your cost may be higher via the general anesthetic pathway.  However, for patients that are very anxious, this additional cost may provide peace of mind = well worth it!!  So, after the health issues are put aside, it's you choice.  

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) is a good anesthesia option for facelifts.  With this technique, an anethesiologist sedates the patient so that he/she is sleeping but breathing on their own.  Patients are not paralyzed. Facelift incisions and areas of flap elevation are injected with anesthetic so the patient feels no pain.  We have found this technique to be very effective.  Patients are monitored and kept comfortable and the incidence of postoperative nausea is much less than after general anethesia.  Of course, local with iv sedation and general anethesia are alternatives.  A good discussion with your surgeon should help you make a decision that's right for you.

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