Facial Plastic Surgery: Q&A
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Twilight Sedation vs. General Anesthesia for Multiple Cosmetic Procedures?
I am having my nasal dorsum filed, submental lipectomy, and a chin implant placed all at once. My surgeon said the whole surgery should last approx. 1.5 hours, and has given me the option of twilight sedation or general anesthesia. Obviously the general anesthesia is quite a bit more expensive, and also increases recovery time, but I'm nervous about being conscious of the procedures being done to my face. Any suggestions regarding potential complications of either method?
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San Diego5362
in San Diego, CA
+2
Twilight vs. general anesthesia for multiple operations.
For 35 years that I have performed multiple cosmetic surgeries I have found that more than 95% of patients prefer to be totally asleep. Therefore, I think that besides controlling your airway and a minimal difference in recovery that general anesthesia is preferable.
+2
Choosing anesthesia for plastic surgery
I personally would not give you the option of twilight sedation. Some surgeons are comfortable with it and can do these procedures under sedation without difficulty. I am not and cannot. The lay person thinks sedation is safer than general anesthesia but I can tell you that my anesthetist would refuse to do sedation for these procedures. Patients prefer sedation because they feel they retain some control over themselves, save money and have a quicker recovery but in reality they take...
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Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2
Anesthesia risks.
I personally prefer to have my rhinoplasty patients under general endotracheal anesthesia so that the responsibility for the airway and the patient's safety if that of the anesthesia professional. I can concentrate my attentions better on the fine points of the surgery. Alternatively, I prefer to perform facial and neck liposuction and chin augmentation under sedation and local anesthesia as I have better visualization of the areas involved without concerns for the anesthesia tube...
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+2
Complications of anesthesia
Nobody wants to take unnecessary riks with anesthesia and because of that "twilight" sounds less dangerous to the patient. Many times it is MORE dangerous though because if you are nervous, the sedation won't work as well as you fight it with anxiety. Also, if you are sedated enough to be asleep without your airway protected as it would be in a general anesthetic you could be at risk too.
In your case, blood can get in your throat from the nasal...
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