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Local or general anesthesia?

Q:

I am 74 yrs. old, good health, planning on face, neck and dermabrasion around lips (scheduled 3/20). Had 2 surgeries in the past (one in 2007; 2008), had IV conscious sedation during colonoscopies. I find general anesthesia affects me more adversely than IV sedation (local), even though the Anesthesiologists assure me otherwise. Any reason I can't have local anesthesia for these procedures? (I know most Plastic Surgeons do their surgeries using local anesthesia.)

A:

 

 The type of anesthesia you receive is often dependent upon the extent of the procedures you have performed. Sometimes it can also be an issue of your physical health and what you can tolerate. May I suggest you start with your surgeon to address these concerns. Hopefully, they are members of the ASAPS. Best,

 

Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS

Gary R. Culbertson, MD, FACS - View Other Answers by this Doctor
Sumter, SC
Practice Website

A:

Safety of Anesthesia and Facelifts – The key element in any type of elective surgery is that one has to be healthy. If one is healthy and has no significant medical problems then this can be safely done under general anesthesia as an outpatient. If you’ve had health problems, then one should consider doing your cosmetic surgery in a hospital or not at all if you have significant heart issues. The rule concerning anesthesia and whether to use general versus local, is that general anesthetic agents provide a much more controlled environment. In general, you will get less anesthetic agents if you’re using general anesthetic using modern anesthetic technology. Of course, I use a Board Certified Anesthesiologist or Board Certified CRNA in all my patients.

Rod J. Rohrich, M.D., FACS - View Other Answers by this Doctor
Dallas, TX
Practice Website

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