Types of Anesthesia Used For Plastic Surgery Procedures
Anesthesia refers to drugs or chemicals that put people in a controlled state that causes temporary sensation loss induced for medical reasons. The medications cause pain relief, muscle relaxation, pain prevention, amnesia, and unconsciousness.
Anesthesia makes it easy and safe for doctors to perform invasive medical procedures and help patients recover faster. Anesthesiologists deliver anesthetics through injections, eye drops (for eye surgeries), or inhalation. While for most plastic surgeries general anesthesia is used, other anesthesia methods can be employed in non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures.
Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia temporarily numbs a particular body area and is standard for minor medical procedures, such as tooth extraction. A local anesthetic prevents nerves in the location from communicating pain sensations to the brain, which allows a patient to relax and feel no pain. Patients are awake when under local anesthesia. The anesthetics are injected for numbing purposes during in-office surgical procedures such as (but not limited to) liposuction, chin implants and some buccal fat removal.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is a cocktail of drugs administered through an IV line prior to beginning a surgical procedure. It can also be a gas, such as nitrogen oxide, that the patient inhales. It puts a patient in a completely unconscious state to prevent the brain from responding to pain reflexes.
Usually, a breathing mask or tube needs to be placed down a patient’s throat to ensure proper breathing and to prevent any stomach acid from leeching out and entering the lungs. An anesthesiologist tracks a patient’s breathing, heart rate, and other vital functions throughout surgery to ensure a safe operation for the patient.
General anesthesia is excellent for lengthy procedures. General anesthetics are typically very safe, but after surgery, patients may experience some drowsiness and nausea. In addition, these anesthetics may have risks for elderly patients and those with chronic diseases. Dr. Zuliani may require a surgical clearance for those patients who are passed a certain age or for those with chronic health conditions.
Plastic Surgery Consultation in Bloomfield Township, MI
Whatever anesthesia is used for your desired treatment at Zuliani Facial Aesthetics, rest assured that you are in capable hands with a board-certified anesthesiologist and Dr. Giancarlo Zuliani performing your surgery. To learn more about what to expect from the anesthetics used during cosmetic surgery, schedule a consultation by calling our office or contacting us online today!
