They say that pain is beauty, but when it comes to plastic surgery, we’ve got to disagree. Our goal is painless beauty. We use the latest techniques for anesthesia and pain management to ensure that your surgical experience is as pleasant as possible. If you have any questions about pain management, get in touch with us here at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery. In the meantime, here are answers to a few of the most common questions we receive about pain management and anesthesia in plastic surgery.

Will My Procedure Use Local or General Anesthesia?

We want you to be both comfortable and safe during your procedure. We use a variety of anesthetic options during surgery including local anesthesia, iv sedation with local anesthesia, and general anesthesia. We’ll choose the safest and most effective option for your procedure.

What Factors Are Used to Determine My Sedation Options?

Following an initial consultation, your surgeon will fill you in on the specific type of sedation that’s best suited for your procedure of anesthesia in plastic surgery. There are a number of factors that may enter into this decision:

● The nature and complexity of the procedure
● The amount of time the procedure will take
● The patient’s health, including known reactions to anesthesia
● The patient’s weight
● The patient’s comfort/anxiety level

Based on these and other criteria, your surgeon will make a custom recommendation regarding
the use of anesthesia in plastic surgery.

What’s the Difference Between Local and General Anesthesia in Plastic Surgery?

As the name implies, local anesthesia works on a small, localized area. An anesthetic drug is applied to the treatment area using a shot or topical application. Local anesthesia can be used alone on smaller treatments or paired with IV sedation. During IV sedation, patients are in a twilight sleep, less aware of their surroundings than usual.

General anesthesia causes a patient to go completely unconscious during a procedure. You’ll wake up after surgery, completely unaware of anything that occurred while you were under. There are risks with every type of anesthesia. We’ll choose the most appropriate options for your surgery.

What Are Some Other Benefits to Anesthesia in Plastic Surgery?

There are a number of advantages to being “put under” during your plastic surgery procedure. The most obvious one is that it keeps you out of pain, but there are some other benefits worth considering.

One benefit to being placed under anesthesia during a surgical procedure is that, well, many surgeries are rather time-intensive. You could be on the table for at least an hour, possibly closer to three or four. By being properly sedated, you can avoid having to be awake and alert for such a lengthy procedure.

Another benefit? Many patients are excited to see their results, but a little apprehensive about the surgery itself. Certainly, we understand that some patients may prefer not to have any clear memories of being on an operating table. The right anesthesia can provide a kind of amnesia, preventing you from ever having any triggering memories.

Finally, anesthesia in plastic surgery can create peace of mind. In the days leading up to your procedure, you can feel at ease, knowing that your comfort will be a top priority and that the surgery itself will not prove painful.

How Will I Control Pain After Surgery?

You’ll return home shortly after your surgery to recover. We’ll give you a prescription for pain medication. Most patients find that they only need prescription pain relief for the first couple of days, if at all. Over-the-counter pain relief can be very effective at controlling your pain. We’ll recommend the best over-the-counter options for your situation and provide information about how to properly use them to control pain.

Some mild discomfort is common, but extreme pain is not because anesthesia in plastic surgery works is like a painkiller  If your pain relief isn’t keeping you comfortable, contact us. Your recovery experience shouldn’t be overly painful.

How Long Will it Take for My Anesthesia to Kick In?

Patients often wonder how long they will need to wait in order for their sedation to take effect. It can differ from patient to patient, but as a general rule, most patients who receive general anesthesia are out within 30 seconds or so.

Is Anesthesia Dangerous?

Thanks to advancements in anesthesia, including new developments in the patient monitoring technologies we use, the risks associated with anesthesia are fairly low. Complications are most common with patients who have underlying health problems, and we screen patients to ensure that those in higher-risk groups are advised against having surgery.

Are There Side Effects Associated with Anesthesia?

While serious complications are increasingly rare, there are some less extreme side effects for anesthesia patients to know about. The most common of these include nausea, vomiting, and sore throat. You can also anticipate feeling a bit groggy after your procedure, and will definitely want to have someone who can drive you home and stay with you for at least a few hours after your plastic surgery has been completed.

Learn More About Anesthesia in Plastic Surgery

We are committed to making certain your plastic surgery experience is as comfortable as possible. Whether you choose breast augmentation, a tummy tuck, or something else, we’ll work with you to choose appropriate pain management and anesthesia options. Please let us know if you have any other questions about pain management or pain relief options.

To schedule a consultation appointment with one of our surgeons, in which you can learn more about different sedation options, we welcome you to contact H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery at your next convenience. Talk with one of our board-certified Charlotte plastic surgeons about plastic surgery in Charlotte NC or Huntersville NC soon!