When it comes to anesthesia for plastic surgery, there are generally three different types that surgeons will use. Each approach has its own benefits for the patient and for the doctor, and the surgeon will usually make a recommendation based on the invasiveness of the procedure and desires of the patient. Local, twilight, and general anesthesia do have their own side effects, of which the surgeon will explain to the patient before the surgery is performed.

Local Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is the lightest type of sedation. It involves numbing a specific part of the patient's body so that the patient cannot feel pain during the procedure. This type of anesthesia works best for minimally invasive procedures and will normally only be the recommendation of the surgeon if he or she is sure that the patient will be comfortable during surgery. In some cases, nervous patients may choose to have both local anesthesia and oral sedation (a pill that relieves apprehension), which can help mitigate their anxiety. Local anesthesia is commonly used during more minor procedures, such as earlobe repair surgery.

Twilight Anesthesia

Twilight anesthesia is more extreme than local anesthesia, as it sedates the patient's entire body, instead of just one localized area. This option is usually best for more involved procedures or for patients who have extreme anxiety about their surgery. Twilight anesthesia is not an unconsciousness state, but rather, full-body sedation that produces a state in which the patient is usually not aware of what is happening, but is not completely asleep.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia, unlike the first two types, makes the patient entirely unconscious throughout the duration of the procedure. For invasive procedures such as tummy tuck, this is definitely the best choice, as the patient is largely immobilized, and unable to pain or anxiety during surgery. It is, however, also the most dangerous type of anesthesia. Doctors will generally only administer general anesthesia if the patient is in good health.

How Long Does Each Last?

How long each type of anesthesia lasts will largely depend on the person's body and how much anesthesia is administered. Local anesthesia, for example, may take a few hours to pass from the system, not unlike the numbing agent administered at a dentist's office for cavity drillings. Twilight and general anesthesia are designed to last through the duration of the procedure, though the side effects may linger for a few hours after coming to.

Side Effects of Anesthesia

General anesthesia can negatively affect blood pressure and breathing patterns, and may dull a patient's ability to feel and respond properly to pain, even after the anesthesia is over. The most common side effects are nausea, confusion, and grogginess. This is why a surgeon will generally recommend the patient have someone accompany them to the surgery to take them home afterwards.

To learn more about the types of anesthesia that can be administered during your plastic surgery procedure, and to find out if you are a good candidate for surgery, contact the practice of Dr. Paul Pin.