According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), one of the most common concerns patients have during consultations for any type of plastic surgery centers on the topic of anesthesia. Although the science surrounding and research into anesthesia has advanced tremendously, it is still one of the most asked-about subjects when talking about cosmetic procedures.
Nowadays, three types of anesthesia are mainly used during cosmetic procedures: general, local, and twilight anesthesia. In this article, we will cover all the differences between each option to help you become better informed and ready when making a decision.
General Anesthesia
This type of anesthesia is the most common one used today. To administer general anesthesia, the doctor or surgeon uses specific drugs to make the patient completely unconscious and unresponsive. This temporarily induced coma renders the patient unable to remember anything during the procedure and incapable of feeling any pain.
Breathing tubes and a ventilator are used to help the patient breathe while the surgery is being performed. After the patient wakes up, the breathing tube and ventilator are removed.
General anesthesia is provided through an IV and is usually used for invasive procedures such as liposuction, butt and breast implants, rhinoplasties, as well as for more invasive non-cosmetic surgeries.
Local Anesthesia
This anesthetizing technique is used to limit sensation by numbing a specific body part during a procedure. Anesthesia is only applied to the targeted area, limiting any feeling sensation as well as pain. Unlike general anesthesia, the patient is not asleep, yet will not feel or suffer from any discomfort from their treatment.
Local anesthesia can be applied in two different manners: direct injection into the targeted area or topically applied directly on the skin. This kind of anesthesia is usually used for minimally invasive types of liposuction and treatments that use lasers, such as laser hair removal.
Local anesthesia carries the lowest cost of the three anesthesia types, as well as the least amount of risks and side effects.
Twilight Anesthesia
Also known as conscious anesthesia, twilight anesthesia helps to reduce anxiety, pain, and discomfort during specific minor procedures. These treatments include dentistry revisions such as teeth feelings, routine cleanings, or root canals, as well as specific small surgeries like facelifts.
Twilight anesthesia uses drugs similar to those administered by general anesthesia, but in lower doses. An interesting aspect of twilight anesthesia is that it can be reversed very quickly, so the patient can wake up in a matter of ten to fifteen minutes. Furthermore, twilight anesthesia leaves patients feeling drowsy, yet they remain awake and able to respond to doctors, hence the name “twilight.”
It is usually provided through an IV, but it is also possible to administer it orally. Patients can breathe normally on their while under the influence of twilight anesthesia. Due to the small amounts of drugs provided to numb pain and sensation, the chances of risks and side effects are lower compared to the other anesthesia types.
Bottom Line on Anesthesia Types and Safety
The three types of anesthesia cover different procedures, as well as play different results when provided to a patient. If you’re considering any cosmetic procedure, you should be aware of the differences between the three types of anesthesia and understand how they are going to impact your body.
All anesthetic types include similar side effects but at different levels. The more severe type of anesthesia the procedure requires, the higher the chance of side effects. Some of them might include:
- Drowsiness
- Slow reflexes and response
- Low blood pressure
- Headache
- Short-term loss memory
- Feeling sick
- Nausea
Contact your chosen doctor or surgeon to talk about the use of anesthesia in your chosen surgery or procedure to learn more about the side effects, risks, and overall expectations.