Can a mini facelift be performed without the use or Demerol?

I do all my facelift under local anesthesia, Many times we have an intravenous line and give patients some sedation to help them tolerate the injection of local anesthesia. In fact once the local anesthesia is effective, you wouldn’t require any other narcotic or sedation. One can also use these medications by mouth with no shots, but remembers there will be injection of local anesthesia.

Local anesthesia is used to anesthetize the area where your mini facelift would be done. Some form of sedation is frequently given in addition to the local anesthesia to help patients relax and make the experience better. Numerous medication’s can be used for this and your plastic surgeon should be able to offer you other options besides the Demerol. There is also the option for you not having any type of sedation at all and relying only on the local anesthesia to keep you comfortable. This can be an excellent way forward for people who do not want any sedation. Best wishes.

If you have a history of narcotic abuse, having surgery will not necessarily lead to recidivism. Demerol is one of many narcotics, and are rarely used during surgery (Fentanyl is the drug most anesthesiologists use because it is easy to control - fast onset, fast washout). Regardless, pain management is part of the anesthetic process, which can be tailored in many ways. Talking to surgeons about anesthesia may lead to unintentional misinformation because surgeons are not anesthesiologists, doctors that have an array of ways to keep people asleep comfortably and safely.