Can you have a nose job without having anaesthetic injected into your veins? I have phobia of needles going into veins.

Question

Hi really want a nose job but but I have phobia of needles going into veins.Was wondering if you can have anaesthetic without it being injected into your veins? maybe through a oxygen mask or something? Also if you have to have blood test before is there another way of having it - maybe a pin prick into the top of arm near shoulder? Cheers

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello jordycarter,Thanks for your question.There are ways to reduce anxiety prior to IV placement.  You can be given an oral sedative and have topical anesthetic placed on the IV site prior to needle placement so that you don't care as much about the process. Topical anesthetic can be used prior to blood draws as well.  My oldest daughter has a needle phobia and the topical anesthesia has worked well for blood draws.If you want to have rhinoplasty, don't let this phobia get in your way.  Speak with the surgery staff ahead of time so that they can give you the comfort you need to get through the process.Good luck,Dr. Shah

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

...but sometimes you have to tough it out.Having said that, when a patient comes to my facility for a rhinoplasty, we give her pills to make her sleepy before we take her into the operating room, which is where we start the IV and begin giving more effective sedation through the IV. For someone who is extremely nervous, it's possible to give them *more* oral pill sedation, so when we get her into the operating room to start the IV, it's almost impossible for her to stay awake.Now, for the pre-op blood tests, hmm, I'd have to give that more thought.

Lee Ann M. Klausner, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Jordy, When you have nasal surgery it us under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. There are some very minor procedures on the nose can be done with local anesthesia alone. But it sounds like you are looking for a nose job or rhinoplasty which our office would perform using an IV. We only operate using board certified anesthesiologists because this provides the highest patient satisfaction and safety.

Jan Zemplenyi, MD · Answer

Hi Jordy,For patients with a phobia of needles, a twilight anaesthesia can be
used prior to nose surgery. This is the same anaesthesia given IV (Intravenous)
during a colonoscopy called propofol.  This medication is like an
intravenous valium, when you awaken, it will 
be without nausea headache or hangover from general anaesthesia.  Twilight anaesthesia also reduces bruising
compared to general anaesthesia. It is extremely safe, and patients often feel
great after surgery just like they had a great night sleep. However a
blood test done on blood drawn from alternate sites (i.e., not from the fingertips
as you’d like) will yield blood that is “old” or at which is 20-35 minutes
old.  Fingertips and the palm hold the
most recent memories of your blood glucose. 
Secondary though to the source of the blood, it is safer to a blood
panel done prior to surgery to determine if the patient has diabetes, urinary infections,
pregnancies, lupus or bleeding disorders.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It is very important to have an IV when performing a rhinoplasty procedure to be able to administer medications during the anesthetic.  In our practice, we perform all rhinoplasty procedures under general anesthesia by a board-certified physician anesthesiologist for patient safety and comfort. It is impossible to undergo a rhinoplasty under local anesthesia. Blood tests are usually unnecessary for a rhinoplasty, unless there is some underlying medical issue.

Harrison C. Putman III, MD (retired) · Answer

You should be able to have your rhinoplasty despite your fear of needles. While an IV is necessary for general or IV sedation, your anxiety can be overcome with pre op oral medications (usually benzodiazepene family) or just inducing with inhalation anesthesia before starting an IV. Talk to your surgeon and anesthesia provider.

Can you have a nose job without having anaesthetic injected into your veins? I have phobia of needles going into veins.

Answers (6)

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