Is it safe to get a facelift under local anesthesia?

Yes, it is safe to get a facelift under local anesthesia.  However, doing so often limits the surgery so, operations under local are usually shorter and simpler than those done under general anesthesia.  If you are looking for a more complete/thorough correction, a full facelift with adjunctive procedures may be better and general anesthesia may be more appropriate.  However, many mini facelifts, or simple skin lifts or mini smas lifts are done under local and are quite safe.

Best wishes,

Christopher C. Chang, MD

Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia

A traditional rhytidectomy, or facelift, is can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia.  This is a complex surgery that comprises many steps, such as:

Removing excess fat from the chinPerforming a platysmaplasty, which removes neck bands and tightens the neckLifting the SMAS upward and outwardRemoving excess skinReplacing or moving the fat to restore volume in the midfaceA full facelift will take several hours to perform, but will give you the most dramatic and long-lasting results, turning back the clock about 10 years. The rejuvenating effects should last another eight to 10 years. It depends on the patient’s personality and how long the procedure will take to decided what type of anesthesia is best.  Generally, a full facelift on a patient with a heavy neck will require general anesthesia because it takes a while to perform.  Patients needing less aggressive surgery with early aging are better candidates for local anesthesia.  It's very important to find a facial plastic surgeon with expertise in facial aesthetics and anatomy to get the best results. I hope this helps.

All surgical #procedures carry some degree of #risk. The suitability of your procedures and any specific risks may be determined during you #consultation. However, based on this evaluation, your board certified plastic surgeons will create a custom surgical plan, detailing specific techniques and recommendations to meet your goals. If you are not a #candidate, your surgeon can make other suggestions to address your concerns and objectives Also, another element to a #satisfying result of your procedures are realistic #expectations.Lite-lift™ is a modified facelift that can be performed in the office with a local anesthetic and improve signs of aging around the neck, jawbone and lower face. These procedures are not "Thread-lifts" or "String-lifts". We do not use the "barbed" sutures employed in these other lifting operations. The Lite-lift™ uses longer lasting techniques that are discussed below. Because the incisions are limited, there is less bruising, swelling and healing time for most patients. Many patients can be back to work in one to two weeks looking rested and more youthful.

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.