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- Anesthesia: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Surgery
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Sometimes the scariest thing about plastic surgery is the anesthesia. While going under allows you to mentally skip the actual operation, there are plenty of stories out there about anesthesia gone wrong. How much should you actually worry? RealSelf did some digging and here’s what you need to know .#1: There are three types of anesthesia.
First off, let's talk definitions. There are three types of anesthesia: local, regional, and general. The main difference is location. Local numbs a small area of the body where the surgery's being performed. Regional anesthesia numbs a larger part of the body by injecting drugs into a cluster of nerves, while the third and final option, general anesthesia, uses a cocktail of meds to knock you out completely.
#1.5: Wait, what about twilight sleep?
Have you ever heard of twilight sleep? It’s not a different type — just a different way of using general anesthesia. With twilight sleep, you’re sedated but awake. You're OK to follow simple directions, but unable to feel the procedure. This lower dose typically makes for an easier recovery and, depending on what your doctor thinks is best, may be used on procedures ranging from breast augmentation to facelifts.
#2: Will I wake up during surgery?
Heard of people waking up during surgery? Yes, it happens, but thankfully, only very rarely. While findings vary, a 2014 study found that of the 3 million surveyed patients who’d undergone general anesthesia, only 1 out of nearly 20,000 accidentally woke up during surgery.
Much more likely to occur are post-op side effects like vomiting and dry mouth. But your doctor can help; talk before surgery about medications to help reduce the pain and nausea.
#3: Does anesthesia kill brain cells?
These drugs have been around for nearly two centuries, but research is still ongoing as to how anesthesia really works. Recent studies have raised concern that general anesthesia may have lasting negative consequences on memory, especially for patients over the age of 65. So what can you do? Talk with your anesthesiologist.
#4: How much will it cost?
Well, t depends on how much you use. Local and regional anesthesia won’t cost as much as general. If you're curious as to how much you'll pay, the best thing to do is ask your insurance. Most plans cover anesthesia for medically necessary procedures.
#5: Can I die from anesthesia?
Now this is a valid worry but let this stat help. Over the past 25 years, the number of anesthesia-related deaths has dropped from 2 per 10,000 to fewer than 5 deaths per million.
Now if you have more questions on cosmetic procedures, ask thousands of doctors on RealSelf.
Anesthesia: 5 Things You Need to Know Before Surgery
Anesthesia can be one of the scariest parts of surgery but how much should you worry? Here's what you need to know.