Do Most Surgeons Draw Pre-Op Surgical Markings on Your Face While You Are Unconscious?

I always mark my patients in the sitting/upright position and awake.  I may make some adjustments while the patient is asleep or sedated, but for the most part follow the pre-op markings.

Each surgeon has their preference but most of us will do our markings on an upright and awake patient

Can be both depending on the surgeon's preference. I like to do it before surgery while patient is upright

Each plastic surgeon has his or her own technique, most including myself prefer to have the patient awake and sitting up as gravity can change the features. Also this gives me time to discuss with the patient what I am doing and how and get any additional feedback from my patient. The video below shows marking of a patient before surgery.

I, like many of my colleagues, prefer to mark patients in the awake, upright, and dynamic position.  Preoperative marking is done to highlight anatomic landmarks and to give the Surgeon a general reference point during the procedure.

Personally, I perform the markings while the patient is sitting upright and looking straight ahead. This step is a very important step in the overall planning process of the procedure.

But I do know very good facial surgeons who mark only after their patients went asleep...

Dear Cerro, I always mark my patients when they are awake and in a sitting position.  This gives them the opportunity to see my surgical plan, and to ask any questions that they may have, as well as see where their scars will be.  I believe most surgeons do the same.

Almost all facelift surgeons mark patients in the pre-op area while the patient is sitting upright.  I feel that it is important to have the patient upright since that is when the skin sags most and how patients will be seen by others.

Markings are the road map for great surgery. I like to mark  the patient in the upright position while they are awake so they can see exactly where the incisions are. Then while the patient is asleep I like to refine the markings. This allows me to see the effect of gravity in different dimensions. The most important thing is that you understand the procedure and you are on the same page as your surgeon. Hope this helps, good luck.

While either way works, I prefer to mark my patients awake and sitting up, so I can visualize the effects of gravity on their skin and  facial form. Patients usually look at themselves in a vertical position so it makes most sense to mark them in this position. This also allows patient input during the markings without the effects of sedation.