Anesthesia Used During a Facelift? Doctor Answers, Tips

+7

Depends on your health, type of facelift, anxiety level of patient.

Having used both techniques for more than 30 years I only use local anesthesia for the following patient: 1. patients who only require a" minilift " and the idea of surgery does not make them anxious. 2. Patients who medically cannot have general anesthesia, but can have local anesthesia. In these patients I always have an anesthetist to give IV medication to make the injections totally without pain. 3. Someone who absolutely refuses general anesthesia because of fear. For all other patients... more

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

+5

Facelift anesthesia depends on your tolerance for discomfort

Almost all modern facelifts are performed with local anesthesia. The question then is only what sedation you administer in addition to the local anesthetic, and who administers it. The options are no sedation, oral sedation alone (i.e. valium), deep intravenous sedation, or a light general anesthetic. When the airway may be compromised, for example by bleeding during surgery, or in a patient with reflux disease, it is usually better to have the patient asleep with a tube protecting their... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.drbrent.com

+5

Local with IV sedation yes!

Having performed thousands of facial plastic surgery operations with both general anesthesia and IV sedation I can say with confidence that IV sedation has all the advantages of general anesthesia (patient comfort) and very few of the side effects of general. The main advantages of IV sedation anesthesia are: It does not require putting a breathing tube in the throat It does not require a breathing machine The recovery is much faster There is much less "hang-over" from... more

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

+4

Type of anesthesia best for facelift surgery

General anesthesia and local anesthesia with sedation are both good options for facelift surgery. You should probably stick with your surgeon's preference. When the sedation choice is used, I prefer that a board certified anesthesiologist be present for safety issues. The more important question in my mind is appropriateness of facelift surgery in someone your age. I suggest you attain a second opinion before embarking on surgery.

Maurice M. Khosh, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

+4

Local with IV Sedation is the best compromise

The great thing about this website is that a prospective patient can ask a question and receive educated opinions. My opinion is that local anesthesia with sedation provides the best compromise of pain control, relaxation, and safety while allowing the surgeon to work efficiently. I use this technique for most cases (using a CRNA or Anesthesiologist), with the exception of rhinoplasty, where general anesthesia is employed. Can general anesthesia be performed safely? Absolutely. However,... more

Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

+4

Both are O.K., my preference is sedation.

Advantages of general anesthesia: No pain with injections Ease for the surgeon Disadvantages of general anesthesia: Higher risk (arguably) Higher cost in some practices where an in office procedure can be done with sedation but not general anesthesia More nausea associated with general anesthesia Blood pressure can increase on waking which can lead to hematomas The procedure can be done either way and I have and do both. My preference is excellent local anesthesia with sedation for the... more

York Jay Yates, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

+4

Local anesthesia with sedation is excellent for facelift

Facelift can be safely and comfortably performed under both sedation, and general anesthesia. Safely is the fey word. My own preferrence has been a local anesthetic with sedation for facelift procedures. The sedation our center provides is a deep or twilight sleep. The medication is "dissociative" or in other words the patient is breathing and responsive though unaware. We have preferred this technique because we have had less nausea than we have with general anesthesia and our... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

+4

Local anesthesia is best and you are still "knocked out" with deep sedation

I perform all facelifts under deep sedation with local anesthesia even though our office surgical facility is also accredited to perform general anesthesia. With local and sedation, you are completely unconscious and it is safer. I don't have to work around a tube in your throat and you wake up more smoothly. For example, a large recent study showed that the only facelift patients who developed pulmonary emboli (very, very few) were those who were done under general anesthesia.So, for... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

+4

Long Lasting Results & Patient Comfort / Safety with Local Anesthesia

I agree with the excellent and comprehensive advice given here. As a Surgeon who has performed over 1,000 Facelifts with local anesthesia (with mild sedation as requested) I wanted to add a few comments. In my experience long lasting and natural looking results are easily accomplished with local anesthesia. I have found over the years that in patients with mild to moderate aging changes, in their 40s and 50s and good overall medical health, equivalent results can be acccomplished with local... more

Kamran Jafri, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

+4

Type of anesthesia depends on the type of facelift and your general health

The term “facelift” used generally, has many different degrees of surgical intervention. A lift that is treating only the skin and superficial fat and tissue, with generally smaller incisions may be reasonably performed with local anesthetic and sedation. In the interest of safety, which should be everyone’s primary concern, the sedation should be delivered by an appropriate anesthesia provider. In contrast a more complete facelift, one that addresses the entire facial... more

Robert Singer, MD
La Jolla Plastic Surgeon

+3

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... more

Michael Kulick, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

+3

It depends on the person and current situation

Face lifts can be done under local anesthesia and general anesthesia. It really depends on the person and how they can handle being slightly awake or not during the procedure. Also, a particular person’s pain tolerance plays a major part. I In my experience, IV sedation is the best way to do the procedure. You can have the person in a deeper or lighter state depending on the situation during the procedure that can help both the surgeon and the patient. Sometimes, cooperation by... more

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

+3

Sedation and general anesthesia both safe if done on a healthy person

Sedation and general aesthesia are both accepted ways to do surgery. If you are a nervous person then likely better to go under general. Sedation is sometimes administered by the Surgeon. My preference is always to have a trained anaesthesiologist do it.

Michael Weinberg, MD
Toronto Plastic Surgeon

+3

Choose the best anesthetic for you

Your choice of anesthetic depends on several factors: Extent of the procedure If your procedure is more than 2 hours, sitting still for that long is a long time Your health Forty-two is young by todays standards but there are other factors that contribute to your "real age" as opposed to your chronological age. We have criteria by which we rate an individuals risk of undergoing general anesthesia (Called ASA class). You surgeon can discuss this with you. Your tolerance... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

+3

General anesthesia is safe

A general anesthetic performed by a Board Certified physician anesthesiologist is safe and effective for the proper performance of a facelift. A well done facelift takes time and some patients are better off asleep for this. This is also true if they have an anxious personality and are difficult to sedate. Also realize that there are non-plastic surgeons doing facelifts out there and they typically can't get a physician anesthesiologist to work with them because this is beyond their proper... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

+2

Anesthesia for facelift

Most facelifts require anywhere between 2-4 hours of operative time with frequent turning of the head and manipulation of the jawline. I have found that this can be quite uncomfortable under local anesthesia. In order to attain long lasting and aesthetically pleasing results, I like to perform my facelifts with some sort of sedation. This can be general anesthesia or conscious sedation. Seek other opinions if you are skeptical.

Etai Funk, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

+2

Extent of Neck Rejuvenation dictates Extent of Anesthesia

For facelift surgery in Houston, TX, I offer a wide variety of facelift procedures. I believe in an individualized approach to facial rejuvenation. Based on my recommended procedure, I will give the patient options to anesthesia that allow for a safe procedure with minimal risk and downtime. Typically, the more neck correction that is necessary, the more anesthesia I recommend. if a patient needs significant correction of excess neck skin and platysmal... more

Paul S. Gill, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

+2

Facelift with local/sedation or general anesthesia

The anesthesia used for facelift can be local with sedation or general. Please know that there is a rainbow-like spectrum of anesthetic 'depth' between these two. Some surgeons perform 'twilight' anesthesia that is in some cases as deep as a general anesthetic. In some cases, a 'light' general anesthetic without any inhaled anesthetic can have a quicker, less drowsy recovery than an iv/sedation anesthetic. It all depends on the anesthetist's experience and... more

Sam Most, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

+2

A Face Lift without General Anesthesia is better

A face lift can be performed with a sedative or twilight anesthesia that is not general anesthesia. It is usually administered with an IV and you are not aware of anything during the surgery, no pain, no discomfort. This avoids you having to be under general anesthesia, there is less bleeding and bruising, and you will not wake up feeling nauseous and ill. A skilled anesthesiologist who performs twilight anesthesia is most important.

Andrew Jacono, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

+2

Anesthesia for Facelift Procedures

I would not suggest having a full facelift procedure under local. In my practice my preferred anesthetic is IV sedation (not general) with Local infiltration monitored by board certified anesthesiologist.

Vivian Hernandez, MD
Boca Raton Facial Plastic Surgeon

+2

Facelift anesthesia

Anesthesia for a facelift can be sedation or general. It really depends upon your comfort level and your health. I just want the patient to be comfortable so that I can provide the best result for them.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

+2

Facelifts can be done under a variety of anesthetics

Facelifts can be done under a variety of anesthetics. Depending on the extent of your facelift, it can be done under local, iv sedation or general anesthesia. If you are in otherwise good health, the risk from anesthesia at an accredited center where they use either anesthesiologists or supervised nurse anesthetists is extraordinarily low. Generally speaking facelifts are not a type of procedure that keeps you from moving around after surgery like breast augmentation or abdominoplasty... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

+2

Anesthesia choices

I have used both General Anesthesia as well as Monitored Anesthesia Care with excellent results. There are advantages and disadvantages to both techniques, depending on the surgeon or patient's perspective: The presence of either a Laryngeal Mask or Endotracheal tube ensures a secure airway for delivery of oxygen, however its placement and removal can cause a sore throat, or in the worst scenario a chipped tooth. For patients who have heavy necks, management of the airway is a shared... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

+2

It's up to you

The is the preference of the patient and the surgeon. Here's my take on this. A facelift usually takes several hours to complete. Operating rooms are like a second home to us but are very foreign and often unsettling for patients. In addition people are taking and there sounds and smells, from cautery, that definitely do not put patients at ease. Today, anesthesia is very safe and with the new LMA tubes the patient doesn't have to be on a ventilator. Meaning the tube sits in the back of... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

+2

Facelift can be done safely with both anesthesia types

Facelift surgery can be performed equally safe under a general anesthetic or local anesthesia with sedation. An important factor to consider is that the procedure be performed in an accredited facility. Advantages to local anesthesia with sedation is that it usually costs less, and doesn't require intubation. It is also easier for the surgeon not having to deal with a tube in the operative field. General anesthetics are advantageous for people with cardiac problems or hypertension, since it... more

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

+2

General anesthesia is preferred

Facelifts can be performed under either a local with sedation or general anesthetic. It is our preference to perform facelifts under general anesthesia for the three-hour duration of the procedure. We employ a board-certified physician/anesthesiologists to monitor the anesthetic, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen concentration during general anesthesia, making it safer than sedation. In preparing patients for a facelift, local anesthetic is injected into areas of the face and neck to... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

+2

Deciding on general vs. local anesthesia depends on the facelift technique and the patient's anatomy

In general facelifts performed under local anesthesia with sedation are more "limited" in their approach and what they can achieve as well as their longevity and how long they "last." Sometimes they can be referred to as minimal-incision or mini-facelifts or "limited" facelifts. They also typically are more inexpensive procedures for patients, and can be a reasonable option in some patients that may be looking for some improvement but cannot afford a... more

James F. Boynton, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

+1

What kind of anesthetic should I have for my facelift?

There are several anesthetic options for facelift patients. Improvements in tumescent anesthetic technique have resulted in very effective numbing of the patient with very effective control of bleeding which allows the surgeon to accomplish more under local anesthetic than in the past. Using tumescent anesthetic (a dilute mixture of lidocaine which is the same anesthetic that many dentists use), allows surgeons to achieve complete numbness in the neck and the face using a completely safe... more

Todd C. Miller, MD
Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

+1

Local Anesthesia for facelift

Local is used for facelift but generally not alone. Most patients prefer general anesthesia but it can lso be done under sedation. It all depends on your level of anxiety and your tolerance for discomfort. If you are in good health you should be fine for general anesthesia.

Raj S. Ambay, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

+1

Facelift Anesthesia Choices Depend on You, Your Health, and Your Comfort Levels

Facelift anesthesia varies based on your facelift surgical technique, and your plastic surgeon. You may be offered local, or just numbing, anesthesia. You may also be offered some sedation, or medicine that makes your drowsy. Finally, you may be offered general anesthesia, which is when your are unconscious and you have a breathing device to help you breathe. Anesthesia varies based on your plastic surgeon, and your anxiety level. More surgery, deeper... more

Roy Kim, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

+1

Anesthesia Choices

Multiple factors affect the anesthesia choice - the extent of surgery, the patient's health, the anxiety of the patient, patient preferences, and the accreditation level that a center has. Choose the surgeon wisely so you know that your interests are being considered with the anesthesia selection.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

+1

Facelift Anesthesia Options

The key is for you to feel most comfortable. Many patients select local anesthesia with sedation as they are afraid of General Anethesia, whereas other patients are afraid of being aware or feeling the injections at the beginning of the procedure. General anesthesia is safer than many patients think, but if you are uncomfortable with the idea of being fully knocked out then your facelift can be performed with local anesthesia with IV sedation. Your doctor will check thoroughly to be... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

+1

General Anesthesia versus Local and Sedation during Facelift

There are truly multiple considerations to address in answering this question. Good results can be achieved with a high degree of safety by either approach. For someone who is 42 and otherwise healthy, a contemporary general anesthesia technique, performed by a board certified anesthesiologist, is very safe and you will be fully out. So what are the important considerations? First is probably safety. General anesthesia performed on healthy people by a board certified... more

Braden Stridde, MD
Federal Way Plastic Surgeon

+1

Minor procedures are safe under local

When a surgeon is doing something relatively minor such as skin cancer removal or reconstruction, local anesthesia alone is perfectly safe. As procedures become more invasive and complicated, it is probably safer if they are performed with MAC or general anesthesia. In those cases, an anesthesiologist is in charge of providing analgesia (pain relief) and maintaining vital functions such a breathing and blood pressure. If your surgeon was trying to manage everything at once,... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.drmichaelbogdan.com

+1

Local anesthesia for facelift probably not a comfortable patient experience.

Many surgeons do perform their facelifts under just local anesthesias with minimal sedation and this is certainly an option. For most patients, however, this is not a great experience, especially if they are undergoing a more extensive facelifting technique. Fortunately, anesthesia has become much safer and for the vast majority of patients that I see, it is a great option. Whether it be a deep twilight sedation or a full general anesthetic, patients are more and more often surprised that... more

Mark Hamilton, MD
Indianapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.hamiltonfps.com

+1

Anesthesia for facelift

My preference for this procedure is local anesthesia with sedation. If additional procedures are to be done such as facial resurfacing, eyelid or forehead surgery, then general anesthesia m,ay be indicated.

Lawrence Kass, MD
Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.kassmd.com

+1

Usually local anesthesia with IV sedation is adequate for facelift

Each plastic surgeon has his/her preference for the type of anesthesia that he feels most comfortable using for the facelift procedure. Some surgeons perform the surgery only under general anesthesia, some under local anesthesia. But I believe most plastic surgeons perform the procedure under local with IV sedation, or conscious sedation. The patient is relaxed and under twilight sleep. But she does not have to put completely to sleep and have a machine breathing for... more

James Tang, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

+1

Anesthesia for facelift

The only anesthesia required is local anesthetic. having said that I personally feel a facelift under local alone is difficult for the pt and doctor alike. I prefer a sedative in conjunction with local anesthetic becasue I hate having a tube in my way, I like sitting pt's up as needed, and it just plain seems simpler to me. the end result is what matters and you have to trust your surgeon to make you and himself comfortable. I never force a specific technique on a pt. they... more

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

+1

What Kind of Anesthesia is Safe for a Face Lift?

In general, a face lift can be performed under local anesthesia with oral or IV sedation or under general anesthesia. Most plastic surgeons and the anesthesia provider they work with have their preference for anesthesia during a face lift and will make their preference clear to you during your consultation. Patients having a face lift under local anesthesia and oral sedation may have a slight awareness of their surroundings during the surgery, but patients having a face lift... more

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

+1

Types of Anesthesia During A Facelift

The type of anesthesia used during a facelift depends upon the patient and the plastic surgeon’s comfort and safety. In most situations I perform a general anesthetic in my patients in Dallas, TX since that is what patients want. They do not want to be awake. I use a board certified anesthesiologist for all my patients. I feel this provides the highest safety zone with the least morbidity. I feel that it is very important that I have an experienced anesthesiologist who I’ve known... more

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

+1

Anesthesia for facelifts

My approach to this has changed over the last 25 years. I now do most facelifts with a little oral Valium and local aneathesia. I use this approach for two main reasons. 1) safety....by far the major risk in facelift surgery is the anesthesia process, so if it can be done under local anesthesia with a little oral sedation that is the safest. 2)experience.....I can now, after 2500 facelifts, do in 1 hour under local anesthesia, what I used to do in 4 hours under general or IV sedation... more

Richard Galitz, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

+1

Multiple anesthesia methods for a facelift

Anesthesia for a face lift is based on the patient and the surgeon. Some patients do very well with local anesthesia and sedation. Some patients cannot tolerate this. The surgeon needs to evaluate the needs of the patient with attention also given to what he/she is comfortable with. Age is not a contraindication to general anesthesia. Medical problems need to be evaluated. There are 80 year olds who can tolerate general; anesthesia with no... more

Raghu Athre, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.athresurgical.com

+1

General Anesthesia vs. Local

I think it is a matter of opinion. You should do what you are comfortable with in regards to a Facelift. You may be more comfortable being fully under. This is generally a good course of action for yourself as well as the surgeon.

Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

+1

The correct anesthesia for a facelift

Patient safety and comfort is the primary issue here. Based on your health status, level of anxiety with the procedure, and the exact procedures that will be required to achieve your facial rejuvenation, I would develop a surgical plan with an anesthesia recommendation w your safety in mind. I recommend you have the procedure in an accredited surgical facility or hospital. Ultimately, I will defer the anesthesia decision to a board certified anesthesiologist.... more

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

+1

Best anesthesia for a facelift

The most important issue is the patients safety. The anesthesia should be customized to the procedure the patient is to have done, the patients health and the anxiety level of the patient. It should offer the patient the greatest safety and comfort, and allow the surgeon to achieve the best result. If a mini-lift is planned, and therefore not much dissection is to be done, then local anesthesia can be an excellant choice, if the patient is healthy, and is not anxious. ... more

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

+1

What gives the best results

The type of anesthesia that is the best for you is the technique that is safest and allows your surgeon to get you the best results. have a dialogue with him-there are many types of anesthetic techniques costumize one for you. best wishes

Cap Lesesne, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

+1

Anesthesia for a facelift

Facelifts can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. If you have a safe anesthsiologist, general is a good option, because this allows the procedure to seem very brief, when, in fact, it may take anywhere from 3-6 hours. For those who prefer to avoid general anesthesia, sedation with local is good option as well. Good luck!!

Jason R. Hess, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

+1

Can a face lift be done with local anesthesia.

The answer is a big yes. I perform 80% of my face lift procedures under local anesthesia with a sedation that I give my self. I work in a fully certified operating room and use a monitoring nurse. The patients are awake and can cooperate. They are relaxed and usually describe the time in the operating room as interesting. There are a few special techniques in giving the local anesthetic that make the injections more tolerable. When the local anesthesia is given properly the operation is... more

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD
Morristown Plastic Surgeon

+1

Anesthesia for facelifts local or iv sedation

I tend to use either local anesthesia with an oral valium like medication or Intravenous sedation which requires an anesthesiologist and certified operating room here in Florida. I tend not to use general anesthesia - I just don't feel it is necessary for this procedure. The choice between local and true intravenous sedation are to be made based on the patient's desire and the extent of the facelift that is necessary to maximize the result.

Douglas Stevens, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

+1

You have several good options for facelift anesthesia

At your age you can certainly have the facelift with any of several methods; general anesthesia, monitored IV sedation, light sedation, or just local anesthesia. It is my preference to use monitored IV sedation in almost all cases. This allows avoiding any pain, anxiety, and awareness for the patient during the procedure, but requires a skilled anesthesia provider and full monitoring of heart rate and rhythm, oxygenation and breathing during the procedure. The recovery process tends to... more

Harrison C. Putman III, MD
Peoria Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.specialface.com

+1

Local versus General Anesthesia for Face Lifts

Face Lifts in Jacksonville, FL can be performed under local anesthesia, iv sedation, or general anesthesia according to the surgeon and patients preferences. Often IV sedation can be adequate for a face lift and can eliminate some of the risk associated with general anesthesia. However, some patients who do wish to be complete unaware of their surroundings are better suited for general anesthesia. You should consult with a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to... more

Ankit Desai, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon

+1

Anesthesia Choices For A Facelift

A discussion of the pros and cons of each anesthesia choice is necessary. For some patients, local anesthesia with sedation can be an excellent method. For other patients, general anesthesia can be better, in particular for those who do not want to be aware of their surroundings. There is not a safer option just different tradeoffs.

Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

+1

Facelifft anesthesia

This will depend on the patient. I rarely use general anesthesia but there is the occasional patients who wants to be completely asleep. There are other patients who insist on only local with some oral sedation. I don't do a full facelift under local but will do an occasional short scar facelift with fat grafting that way. Most of my patients are under sedation and only with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

+1

THE Right Anesthesia for a Facelift

There is NO ONE perfect anesthesia for every Facelift procedure and for every patient undergoing such procedures. Facelift is NOT a single, uniformly done operation. There are many types of Facelifts, all with different levels of complexity, or post-surgical recovery and of potential benefits. Obviously, the more involved the operation, the more OTHER procedures are done along with a Facelift the anesthesia and sedation needs will be different. People differ greatly in their pain tolerance,... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

+1

Anesthesia for Face Lift surgery

A face lift is not one operation, but rather many potential operations dependent on the surgeon and patient to improve neck line, jowls, and facial aging. Typically most have face lift surgery on either IV sedation (twilight anesthesia) or general anesthesia. Either are good, safe options, with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some facial plastic surgeons perform face lift surgery under local anesthesia. Anesthesia may be provided by a board-certified anesthesiologist and/or nurse... more

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.potomacplasticsurgery.com

+1

Local anesthesia is safer

Local anesthesia is definitely safer than general, but you should discuss this more with your surgeon. I perform almost all my facelifts, with the exception of deep plane facelifts, under local. I do offer all my patients the option to choose the type of anesthesia they desire (as long as they medically qualify for each). Options include pure local, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. Although local anesthesia is safe, some patients do want to be "knocked out", and... more

Edmon Pierre Khoury, MD
Dubai Facial Plastic Surgeon

+1

Los Angeles Anesthesia options

I find MAC anesthesia, monitored anesthesa care, to be the best approach for facial plastic surgery. This is IV sedation in combination with local anesthetic injections. My patients are completely asleep yet in control of their breathing and bodily functions. I use Board Certified Anesthesiologists.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

+1

Anesthesia for face lift

Anesthesia for a face lift can be either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation or twilight sleep. Face lift can be performed under local anesthesia but you will be uncomfortable during the injections of local anesthesia. With the present state of the art in patient monitoring and the advances in medication used for general anesthesia or sedation it s very safe. You should have acomplete history and physical examination, complete blood work and EKG and complete clearance from... more

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

+1

Many Options For Facelift Anesthesia

Depending on the type of facelift procedure performed, there are several options for anesthesia. Most forms of facelifts can be easily and safely performed with local anesthesia. As you note though, you will be awake. The next level of anesthesia, termed IV sedation or monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is often referred to as twilight sleep. In this type of anesthesia, a patient is given medications which takes away consciousness but allows them to maintain their own reflexes and breath on... more

D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

innovationsfps.com

+1

Awake Face Lift - Local Anesthesia Option

I routinely do full face lifts with local anesthesia and oral sedation. It is not just for mini facelifts. You are given enough oral medication to make you sleepy and relaxed, plus injections of local anesthesia so you feel no pain. Sometimes, I'll give an injection in the muscle to further relax you. (For those who prefer IV sedation, that is also an option.) I have been doing facelifts with local anesthesia for 8 or 9 years now and the patients love it beacuse of the quicker recovery,... more

Jonathan Hoenig, MD
Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

+1

Facelifts can be done under Monitored Anesthesia Care

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... more

Corey S. Maas, MD
San Francisco Facial Plastic Surgeon

+1

Facelifts can be performed under general anesthesia or local and IV sedation

Facelifts can be performed under general anesthesia or with local and IV sedation. It is important to discuss these options with your plastic surgeon to discuss which option is best for you. Many plastic surgeons choose either method. Both methods are safe if you are a healthy person and have a qualified anesthesia provider. Some surgeons prefer to use a board-certified anesthesiologist. While other surgeons may prefer to use a nurse anesthetist. I prefer to use general anesthesia for... more

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.doctorgrover.com

+1

LIVS vs General Anesthesia for Facelift Surgery

Anesthesia techniques have improved considerably over the past decade. The medications used are more precise in action with regards to predictability of onset and wear-off. Both LIVS (local anesthesia with IV sedation) and General Anesthesia, performed by qualified medical personnel (MD anesthesia or CRNA) are good options for facelift patients depending on several factors (including patient preference). Patient sex, amount of time estimated for procedure, patients medical history,... more

David L. J. Wardle, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

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Anesthesia Used During a Facelift?

Depends on your health, type of facelift, anxiety level of patient.

Facelift anesthesia depends on your tolerance for discomfort

Local with IV sedation yes!

Type of anesthesia best for facelift surgery

Local with IV Sedation is the best compromise

Both are O.K., my preference is sedation.

Local anesthesia with sedation is excellent for facelift

Local anesthesia is best and you are still "knocked out" with deep sedation

Long Lasting Results & Patient Comfort / Safety with Local Anesthesia

Type of anesthesia depends on the type of facelift and your general health

Anesthesia used during a facelift?

It depends on the person and current situation

Sedation and general anesthesia both safe if done on a healthy person

Choose the best anesthetic for you

General anesthesia is safe

Anesthesia for facelift

Extent of Neck Rejuvenation dictates Extent of Anesthesia

Facelift with local/sedation or general anesthesia

A Face Lift without General Anesthesia is better

Anesthesia for Facelift Procedures

Facelift anesthesia

Facelifts can be done under a variety of anesthetics

Anesthesia choices

It's up to you

Facelift can be done safely with both anesthesia types

General anesthesia is preferred

Deciding on general vs. local anesthesia depends on the facelift technique and the patient's anatomy

What kind of anesthetic should I have for my facelift?

Local Anesthesia for facelift

Facelift Anesthesia Choices Depend on You, Your Health, and Your Comfort Levels

Anesthesia Choices

Facelift Anesthesia Options

General Anesthesia versus Local and Sedation during Facelift

Minor procedures are safe under local

Local anesthesia for facelift probably not a comfortable patient experience.

Anesthesia for facelift

Usually local anesthesia with IV sedation is adequate for facelift

Anesthesia for facelift

What Kind of Anesthesia is Safe for a Face Lift?

Types of Anesthesia During A Facelift

Anesthesia for facelifts

Multiple anesthesia methods for a facelift

General Anesthesia vs. Local

The correct anesthesia for a facelift

Best anesthesia for a facelift

What gives the best results

Anesthesia for a facelift

Can a face lift be done with local anesthesia.

Anesthesia for facelifts local or iv sedation

You have several good options for facelift anesthesia

Local versus General Anesthesia for Face Lifts

Anesthesia Choices For A Facelift

Facelifft anesthesia

THE Right Anesthesia for a Facelift

Anesthesia for Face Lift surgery

Local anesthesia is safer

Los Angeles Anesthesia options

Anesthesia for face lift

Many Options For Facelift Anesthesia

Awake Face Lift - Local Anesthesia Option

Facelifts can be done under Monitored Anesthesia Care

Facelifts can be performed under general anesthesia or local and IV sedation

LIVS vs General Anesthesia for Facelift Surgery

Doctors Nearby

Related Facelift Q&A