Awake during open rhinoplasty (cartilage/tip only)?

Question

6 years ago I had rhinoplasty, but I'm not satisfied with the tip of my nose. I went for a revision consultation today, and the surgeon told me that he could probably perform the surgery in his office, in about an hour, if I were willing to do it awake under local anesthesia only. I trust my doctor but the idea of being fully awake nauseates me. Is it as simple as he is making it sound?

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello desertrose99,Thanks for your question.I perform both primary and revision tip rhinoplasty in my office several times a year.We are able to make the patient comfortable with Valium, topical anesthesia cream, and long-lasting local anesthesia injections.  The hardest part are the injections, but they are over fairly quickly.We allow patients to use their own headphones and listen music to distract themselves during the procedure.They all do very well and frankly are happier that they avoided the cost and downsides of general anesthesia.If you can tolerate local anesthesia and do well with getting numb, then you'll do fine with your surgeon's plan.Good luck,Dr. Shah

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Revision rhinoplasty is probably the hardest procedure to perform correctly in the entire field of cosmetic surgery, so it's important to choose your surgeon very wisely based on extensive experience. Rhinoplasty is also a surgical procedures performed in operating room, not in a clinic setting. In our practice we perform all rhinoplasty procedures under general anesthesia by a board-certified physician anesthesiologist for patient safety and comfort. Trying to perform a rhinoplasty under local anesthesia is a bad idea since it would be very painful

Inessa Fishman, MD · Answer

Anesthesia for rhinoplasty varies by surgeon preference.  Some surgeons prefer a general anesthetic whereas others will do rhinoplasty under twilight anesthesia/ conscious sedation/ local anesthesia.  If you're feeling anxious about your surgeon's plan, discuss your concerns with him/ her and ask whether a pre-surgery sedative can be considered.  Relaxing medicines before the procedure might work quite well for you.

Ernest Robinson, MD · Answer

Revision rhinoplasty can be a more difficult procedure.  The surgeon many times does not know fully what to expect and occasionally requires additional cartilage from the nose or ears to revise.This procedure can be performed using sedation, Propofol, anesthesia or general anesthesia.  On occasion, if the surgeon is comfortable, under local.  I rarely use local alone.Without your pictures and without knowing the exact procedure I cannot fully assess.  If you trust your doctor, bring these issues to him on your per-operative visit.

Dennis Barek, MD (retired) · Answer

Injecting the nose is terribly painful. When I was young man, I personally had a revision of my tip, done under local anesthesia. I would never do that again.Get an excellent anesthesiologist in the OR. Its worth it.

Awake during open rhinoplasty (cartilage/tip only)?

Answers (6)

Answer: Uncomfortable being awake for nasal tip surgery

Answer: Uncomfortable being awake for nasal tip surgery

Answer: Revision under local anesthesia

Answer: Revision under local anesthesia

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Awake during open rhinoplasty (cartilage/tip only)?

Answers (6)

Answer: Uncomfortable being awake for nasal tip surgery

Answer: Uncomfortable being awake for nasal tip surgery

Answer: Revision under local anesthesia

Answer: Revision under local anesthesia

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Revision Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.