What to Know About Anesthesia During Cosmetic Surgery
- Posted on: Sep 30 2018
There are several reasons to undergo a cosmetic surgery procedure like breast augmentation or a tummy tuck. The procedures that slim and shape the body can increase a person’s satisfaction with their body and may correct functional or aesthetic issues that stem from medical conditions. Patients of our San Antonio cosmetic surgery office can feel comfortable knowing that Dr. Schaffer and our team prioritize the outcome of surgery from the very onset of care. One of the aspects we know patients may want to discuss is the use of anesthesia during surgery.
If you have never had surgery before your cosmetic procedure, your lack of familiarity with anesthesia may make you feel nervous. This is very common and completely understandable. Here, we discuss some of the details of anesthesia to help ease unnecessary anxiety. Please, also, if you have questions about anesthesia for your chosen procedure, contact our office for more information. Your peace of mind is important to us.
Why General Anesthesia?
Some surgical procedures can now be performed with local anesthesia. Sometimes, surgeons combine local anesthesia with a mild sedative to promote a better experience. If this type of anesthesia is optimal, we do our best to communicate exactly what a patient may expect. For example, local anesthesia with sedation does not “put you under.” You may “wake up” during surgery because you have not been fully anesthetized. This does not mean you will feel pain; the local anesthesia keeps you comfortable. However, the experience of being awake can be unsettling if not expected. Again, if you have questions about anesthesia during cosmetic surgery, contact our office. It is important to us that you know what to expect.
Benefits of General Anesthesia
General anesthesia offers specific benefits, which is why so many surgeons still opt for this method over local anesthesia. When a patient is completely under, it is easier to manage the airway and comfort level. This is especially relevant to more complex procedures such as abdominoplasty. Even breast augmentation with a more substantial degree of enhancement may be more comfortable using general anesthesia.
Patients appreciate aspects of general anesthesia, too:
- There is no memory of the surgery. One of the more exceptional points of general anesthesia is that the time that passes while “under” does not come back as a memory. What patients remember about surgery is counting backward at the onset of sedation. Then they remember waking up in recovery. The mere anticipation of entering a state of unawareness can set nerves at ease.
- Anesthesia is a specialty service. When surgery is conducted with general anesthesia, particular attention is given to the patient throughout the procedures. The anesthesiologist is aware of vital signs at all times and maintains an adequate level of sedation.
Schedule a Consultation
The concept of anesthesia doesn’t need to keep you from the procedure you’d like to have. Contact our office at 210-227-3223 to schedule a consultation in which you can obtain detailed information about what to expect from cosmetic surgery.
Posted in: Cosmetic Surgery
