Can a tip rhinoplasty only be an in-office procedure? (Photo)

A tip rhinoplasty can be performed under local anesthesia in an office facility, but most surgeons would feel that a local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or a general anesthesia will make the experience much more comfortable.No matter which type of anesthesia is used, the procedures should be performed in an ambulatory facility that is accredited by one of the national organizations like the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF) or in a licensed hospital. If sedation or general anesthesia is utilized, the anesthesia should be administered and monitored by an appropriately trained anesthesia provider. I would suggest you find a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and ideally a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) or otolaryngologist that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with the plastic surgeon and have a consultation to see what is safe and makes the most sense for you.Robert Singer, MD FACSLa Jolla, California

Dear loserface (don't be too hard on yourself),I understand that rhinoplasties are not cheapAlthough price is a major factor, it should not be the deciding factor on who you choose for rhinoplastyThis will be a permanent change in your face and you want to make sure all the elements of your surgery are as ideal as possibleAll of my rhinoplasties are performed under IV sedation so that you can rest easy and I can concentrate on making you look your bestIn addition, you may need additional refinements in the bones, septum, etc that can be determined at a consultationThe short answer is "yes" you can do it under local, but the better answer is that you are better off with a little sedation and keeping the surgeon busy with making your nose look the best instead of pausing every 30 minutes to readjust you, making sure you are not moving etcBest,Nima Shemirani

It's very difficult to get the entire tip of the nose numbed up with local anesthetic, and yet have the patient comfortable. In our practice, all rhinoplasty surgery is performed under general anesthesia for patient safety and comfort. It's also important to have a controlled airway in place in case there is any bleeding in the nose which can trickle down the back of the throat and into the trachea. All rhinoplasty surgery is performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgery Center setting, not a clinic.