Facelift with Xanax and local?

Thank you for your question. The answer depends on your comfort with a local facelift as well as the surgeon's comfort and experience with the procedure. Some of the best facelifts I have ever seen have been under local anesthesia, with less bleeding, bruising and a therefore, a quicker recovery. Admittedly, these were done by surgeons with an exceptional level of skill and experience with facelifts under local anesthesia, usually with some form sedation. These particular surgeons have done so many of these procedures that they have become extremely efficient, with average operative times under two hours. They have also tailored the local anesthetic solution so that they are long lasting with little discomfort on injection. Most surgeons are more comfortable with facelifts done under general anesthesia. I would ask your proposed surgeon what he or she is most comfortable with, as well as their level of experience. Unlike most other types of plastic surgery, there is a wide variation in experience level for this procedure. Then base your decision on what you are comfortable with.

Hello and thank you for your question. I do not recommend having a facelift with local anesthesia only.  There are many potential problems with this.  I perform facelifts with a board-certified anesthesiologist present for the entire case who administer either general anesthesia or sedation anesthesia.  Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results. The most important aspect
is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek
consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate
you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon