Is it possible to have facelift without general anesthetic?

Yes a facelift with a neck lift can be performed without general anesthesia. I only perform my facelifts this way as my patients prefer to avoid the risks associated with general anesthesia and I find that my patients recovery is much quicker and with less swelling associated with it. I also routinely perform combination procedures with eyelids and facelift with a neck lift without general anesthesia. The important questions to have answered for yourself is to ensure your surgeon has experience and is comfortable performing it this way and you have clearance from your primary care physician.

Thank you for your question

I have pioneered my Concept Facelift, which targets the SMAS muscle and skin, therefore giving the same longevity as a traditional facelift, however is performed under local anaesthetic.  This ensures a significantly reduced recovery period, with minimum swelling and bruising, therefore patients returning to their daily routines within 5-7 days. My reasons for pioneering this were because patients did not want the health risk of going under general anaesthetic (especially as is it not a necessity procedure), local anaesthetic or twilight sedation would be a great alternative, not only for health reasons but your recovery period will be shorter.  My patients will experience slight discomfort when injecting the local anaesthetic, then will feel very relaxed and calm throughout the procedure (please watch video).



Please make sure you find a reputable and qualified plastic surgeon who can assess you properly to give you a realistic idea of what outcome you can achieve. 



All The Best 

Thanks for posting your question. I have performed thousands of facelifts, neck lifts, mini lifts, blephs, lasers and chin implants all under local anesthesia and oral sedation (valium). Done properly, patients are comfortable and have an easier recovery both mentally and physically. There is an art and science to this local anesthesia technique to acquire a high level of patient comfort. My patients do not even require a narcotic prior or during their their procedures thus reducing nausea caused by narcotics. The risks, both short term and long term, of general anesthesia are eliminated. Even under local anesthesia, I do choose to perform the procedure in an accredited surgery center (AAAASF). One final note, performing all these procedures will be too much to do under local.  I would consider doing these procedures in two phases. Please consult with several board certified surgeons experienced in facelifting and also in local anesthesia techniques.

It is possible but you have to discuss this with your surgeon and anesthesiologist and make absolutely certain it can be done.

Yes, it is possible to have a facelift without a general anesthetic.  Generally speaking, mini facelifts, or in the case of my practice, the MACS lift is done under local anesthetic.  This lift is less extensive and less invasive than my standard facelift and is very easy to tolerate once the local is in (that part hurts though).  The key however is not avoiding general anesthesia.  The key is finding the surgeon who can do the best thing for your face and do it safely.  Good luck!

Yes, it is possible. But is it safe for you? Make certain local anesthesia/IV sedation are safe for YOU. Have your cardiologist clear you for any procedures involving any type of anesthesia/sedation. Hope this helps.Best wishes.Gary Horndeski M.D.

In the past I have done many facelifts with sedation and local anesthesia.  However, I really think it's best for patient and surgeon to use general anesthesia.

Thank you for your question.  In short, yes, it is possible to have a facelift under various forms of anesthesia, other than general.  You can have sedation where you are breathing on your own but sleepy, typically administered by an anesthesiologist or you can have the operation under local anesthesia with oral sedation (pills) or you can be totally awake under just local.  The decision is often based on your comfort level, your surgeon's comfort level and your overall health.  

Facelifts, eyelid surgery and laser resurfacing can be performed with several different methods of anesthesia.  Many patients elect to have general anesthesia as having all of those procedures at once may be more than they are equiped to tolerate without significant sedation.  Local anesthesia with some form of either oral or I.V. sedation is an excellent alternative to general anesthesia and recovery from facelift surgery is often times quicker and easier using this anesthesia technique.  I would ask your surgeon if your EKG raised some concern due to the use of local anesthesia and epinephrine or just general anesthesia.  You may also want to know if the general anesthesia risk was too high because your facelift was scheduled in an outpaitent center and whether a hospital environment wouldn't be a better choice for you.  Needless to say, your safety and well being takes precedence over all else. 

Very sorry to hear this, but reassuring your surgeon is looking to make sure things are done safely.A couple of points:1. May want to have further evaluation. An EKG alone can sometimes not give complete information. I would start with your internist and a cardiologist. There may be other opinions or options to get you ready for a general anesthesia.2. Surgery can be done under local. Although what you had scheduled would be a lot to do at one time under local, there are other options. I have been surprised at how well a highly motivated patient can do with just numbing cream and local anesthesia. Even this, however, should be cleared with your internist and/or a cardiologist.Do not loose hope- there are other options!