Do I Need General Anesthesia?

Almost all forms of facial plastic surgery, including facelifts, rhinoplasties, and eyelid lifts, can now be performed without general anesthesia. Surgeons substitute general anesthesia with either local or twilight anesthesia. These choices make post-operative recovery much faster.

Local anesthesia is a series of injectables that numb the face. This means that patients are wide awake for treatment. Usually, Dr. Jacono uses Lidocaine and Marcaine, both of which are longer-lasting and more effective than Novocaine. Local anesthesia decreases bleeding during surgery, especially when compared with general anesthesia. Patients also tend to bruise less after their operation.

Twilight anesthesia, also known as propofol, is used to sedate patients. It is given through intravenous injection. Propofol is the same medicine used during medical procedures like colonoscopies. When the anesthesiologist stops administering propofol, patients wake up within a few minutes. This medication has fewer side effects than general anesthesia, and patients usually feel well-rested once they wake up. Dr. Jacono has used propofol for many years and finds it to be an incredibly effective option.