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anesthesia quick
glossary
what is anesthesia?
who administers anesthesia?
who gets what type of anesthesia?
local anesthesia:
topical, cold, cream
local anesthesia:
injection, tumescent, ring block, regional block
IV sedation / monitored
anesthesia care
general anesthesia
stages of general
anesthesia
preparing for anesthesia
anesthesia and herbal
drug interactions
anesthesia and prescription
drug interactions
post-anesthesia
guidelines
anesthesia fees
Who Gets What Type Of Anesthesia?
There are three basic types of anesthesia: local anesthesia,
monitored anesthesia care (MAC), and general anesthesia.
Local anesthesia numbs a small area or body part.
MAC, also known as IV sedation or twilight anesthesia,
makes the patient sleepy and less responsive to pain.
And general anesthesia renders the patient unconscious,
and therefore totally unaware of any pain.
Because cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure,
and not a medical necessity (i.e. it won't save your
life), it makes sense to operate only when the patient
is healthy and has the least risk of complications.
After taking a thorough medical and surgical history,
the surgeon may refer you to your regular doctor for
a physical exam, lab tests, and medical clearance. Alternatively,
the surgeon may elect to do the screening or deem further
workup unnecessary for the type of procedure and anesthesia
that you will be undergoing. For example, a simple procedure
with local anesthesia can be safely performed on a healthy
individual without a big medical screening, while a
long, complicated surgery using stronger medications
will require that more precautions be taken.
Most surgeons will have routine methods of anesthesia
for each procedure. However, patient preferences, attitudes,
and history definitely can contribute to the final anesthesia
decision. Some patients want to be "asleep"
and not hear or see anything, in which case general
anesthesia or heavy sedation may be best. Others are
terrified of "going under" or having a tube
in their throat, and therefore general anesthesia is
probably not the best option. Some patients have had
reactions to certain anesthesia medications, and those
must be taken into consideration, too.
A general rule of anesthesia is to use the least amount
of medication that will keep the patient safe and comfortable.
Whether the decision is to use local, IV sedation,
or general anesthesia, there are advantages and disadvantages
to each one. If you have concerns about anesthesia,
talk to your doctor about them so that you can work
it out ahead of time and have a smooth, comfortable,
and safe experience.
To Next Section
- Local Anesthesia: Topical, Cold, and Cream
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