Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia, especially outpatient anaesthesia is much safer than ever. Newly developed, short-acting anesthetic drugs and highly specialised techniques give patients having surgery a lower risk of anaesthesia associated problems and a shorter recovery time.

Depending on the type of plastic surgery procedure, the surgeon’s recommendation, your overall health, and your own preference, you may receive either local or general anaesthesia. The type of anaesthesia will be discussed in detail with an anaesthesiologist before surgery as part of the routine pre-surgical process.

Your surgeon will discuss anaesthesia with you during your initial consultation. Before your surgery, the anaesthesiologist will evaluate your health and then make the decision about which anaesthesia to use. The anaesthesiologist will be able to answer any questions or concerns you have about your anaesthesia options at that time.

Your anaesthetic will be one of three, depending on the procedure you are having. This will vary from a local anaesthetic with or without sedation, twilight anaesthesia, or general anaesthesia.

Local anaesthesia

The local anaesthetic is injected into the area to be treated. This numbs the area where the surgery will take place and wears off shortly after the procedure.

Twilight

Combines sedation and anaesthesia with continuous monitoring. This is commonly known as "twilight” anaesthesia. This is used for procedures that need a local anaesthesia in a very nervous patient, or a procedure that needs a general anaesthesia but patient would rather not for their own reasons.

General anaesthesia

Is a state of controlled unconsciousness with a loss of reflexes. This gives the patient the sensation of being asleep. Anaesthesiologists administer this anaesthesia and use advanced monitoring equipment to track your major bodily functions and to ensure the drugs are administered in the proper amounts.

Your surgeon will discuss anaesthesia with you during your initial consultation. Before your surgery, the anaesthesiologist will evaluate your health and then make the decision about which anaesthesia to use.