It is safe to say that cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery are now safer than they have ever been, which is great news for those who want to go under the knife. However, no surgeries are free from complications, and when anesthesia is involved, these complications can get serious.
This piece will discuss some of the different anesthetics that can be used during plastic surgery and what you need to know about them.
Local Anesthetic
Local anesthetic is the safest form of anesthesia you can get. It behaves as a numbing agent and is injected local to where the surgery will be performed so you will not be able to feel pain. This type of anesthetic is the easiest to recover from as well, and often you can go about your day in a few hours depending on the type of procedure you have had done. You might be surprised to learn that even relatively big surgeries such as a tummy tuck can be performed while the patient is under local anesthetic, but it definitely required that you rest after surgeries such as those, whereas you will be able to drive home after something such as lip fillers.
Twilight Anesthetic
Twilight anesthetic is the same as a general anesthetic in the way that it is administered via an IV and is the same drug. However, when using this option, you are not fully put to sleep. The idea of this route is that patients will still be awake but relaxed. There can be certain side effects, such as feeling groggy and memory loss, and patients will still need someone to drive them home. This method is used for surgeries such as facelifts, blepharoplasty, chin implants, and Brazilian butt lifts, to name a few, and is a great option for those who are not keen on the idea of going under general anesthetic. If you have any concerns about the anesthetic, a professional company such as SSK Plastic Surgery should put your worries at ease and help you feel completely comfortable before you go ahead with the process.
General Anesthetic
A general anesthetic is used when a procedure requires you to be completely unconscious. This is perhaps the more riskier of the options, as you are not just ‘put to sleep’. Your brain cannot respond to pain signals, and your body cannot reflex. You are essentially unconscious, although within a controlled state.
This technique works so well for surgery because not only is the body rendered immobile, which makes intricate and tricky parts of a procedure much more easier to undertake, but there are also benefits for the patient.
Patients should feel no pain and be completely unaware of the surgery, though sometimes things do not always go to plan.
General anesthetic can be administered in two ways – through an intravenous (IV) or inhalation.
Inhaling anesthetic is usually used in conjunction with IV, but IV can be used alone. Your aesthetician and surgeon will consistently and closely keep an eye on your vitals, such as your oxygen levels, blood pressure, and pulse rate, to make sure everything is fine during your procedure.