Being afraid of ‘going under’ or receiving general anesthesia for medical procedures is very common. Perhaps this concern may have even prevented you from having cosmetic procedures that you’ve been wanting. If so, know that you are not alone. It is estimated that at least 75% of the population expresses concerns when discussing having a procedure and being placed under general anesthesia and that 90% of patients would prefer having their procedure done under local anesthesia as long as no pain is felt.
At the Kass Center, we want you to feel at ease in our office and comfortable to discuss all concerns you may have about any aspect of our procedures. To best help you, we want to inform you about three types of anesthesia we offer so that you can make educated and informed decisions with our team when selecting your best treatment option.
Anesthesia is a medical tool doctors use to allow the patient to be pain-free, comfortable, and relaxed during procedures. Broadly speaking, there are three types of anesthesia: general, local, and local anesthesia with sedation.
General anesthesia is what people typically associate with the term ‘going under’. With this type of anesthesia, the patient is completely unconscious, and the body is put in a state of paralysis, including the lungs. Since the body is paralyzed, patients are put on a ventilator to manage their breathing and their vital signs are monitored throughout the procedure.
In contrast, local anesthesia is used to numb a specific area and works to block the body’s nerves from sensing and transmitting pain during treatment. Unlike general anesthesia, local anesthesia allows the patient to be awake and alert throughout the procedure without feeling any pain. There is no need for a ventilator.
Somewhere between general anesthesia and local anesthesia is local anesthesia with sedation. The Local Anesthesia works to make sure there is no pain and sedation can be used with or without consciousness. Local anesthesia with sedation helps to remove any worry or anxiety during the procedure, enabling patients to feel relaxed and comfortable. You can be as awake or as sedated as you wish. But there is no paralysis and again, there is no need for a ventilator.
For lengthy procedures or patients with other health conditions, we may suggest general anesthesia. However, practically ALL of the procedures offered at Kass Center can be performed under local anesthesia with varying degrees of sedation. It is important to note that whatever type of anesthesia you choose, this will NOT affect the final cosmetic results of your procedure.
With over thirty years of practice, Dr. Kass strongly believes that all three types of anesthesia are suitable and equally safe for most patients. Our staff promises to work with you to address all your concerns when selecting the best treatment option for your needs and desires. We understand your concerns and will tailor the procedure to you to ensure that you are comfortable and at ease throughout the entire process from consultation to recovery.
We hope that this article has helped to remove any hesitation or concern you may have had regarding anesthesia. With your trust, we pledge to go the extra mile in your care so that you can have a rewarding and happy experience at Kass Center. Please contact our office so that we can help you achieve your goals today!