Thank you for your question. Many cosmetic surgeries can be done under different forms of sedation. This can include twilight sedation, local anesthetic or even just a topical numbing agent, but it depends on the procedure. Keep in mind that the goal is to ensure your safety at all times and to be certain that you are comfortable during your procedure. I suggest that you consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to learn more about the procedure. Best wishes,
A facelift under local anesthesia is fairly common and quite safe. It's also the way I prefer to perform a facelift at my practice. Compared to an approach that places the patient under general anesthesia, it has some advantages. There is less bleeding during surgery, which also leads to less bruising afterward and a more rapid recovery. Local anesthetic also enables the surgeon to keep the overall cost of the procedure lower. Still, it ultimately comes down to what you are comfortable with. I recommend raising your anesthesia concerns during a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
In the right hands, a variety of facelifts(not just mini lifts) can performed safely, comfortably and effectively under local anesthesia. Make sure that you research your surgeon and feel comfortable with their experience in doing a wide variety of surgeries under local anesthesia.