Worried about ‘going under’ for cosmetic procedures but really want to have treatment done? Many cosmetic procedures do not require a general anaesthetic or ‘going under or asleep’. Local anaesthetic is safer at this current time. An additional benefit is that in some cases, you may be able to see the immediate results during your procedure. Cost savings may be achieved when a general anaesthetic is avoided and admission time is reduced.
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty for excess skin
One of commonest cosmetic procedures to be done under local anaesthetic with significant improvements to tired looking eyes. You would have your eyes closed throughout out the procedure, and you’ll be pleased of the quick turnaround time to perform this. However you will still have swelling, bruising and recovery time.
Liposuction
Smaller areas of facial liposuction, often done for the neck and jowls, can be carried out under local anaesthetic. The fat removal is under the surface of the skin. Can be combined with other small neck tightening procedures under the chin, such as a platysmaplasty. The need for similar recovery from swelling and bruising remains, however you will not have the downtime of a general. Can be combined with other cosmetic procedures to be done under local anaesthetic such as chin implants and fat injection.
Chin implants
Those with concerns about chin projection and jaw shape can improve this with a chin implant. While a surgical genioplasty often is more superior, chin implants have their place with a faster operation, less recovery and can be done under local anaesthetic. Can be combined with fat procedures on the neck also.
Fat injection
If neck fat has been extracted or contoured, that fat can be used often to add age related volume loss such as the cheeks and temple hollowing. Using special fat processing techniques and cannulas the fat can be re-injected under local anaesthetic.
Buccal Fat Pad/Bichectomy
A procedure growing in popularity, to remove some of the pad of fat deep from within the cheeks, to give improved cheek bone definition and a subtle pout. The procedure is carried out from within the mouth to get to the fat from underneath, with no external scarring, and is very quick to perform with visible results seen very soon.
Facelift
Majority of facelifts do require a general anaesthetic to perform, however you might be suitable/eligible for a minimal access procedure that only requires a local anaesthetic. Done in the same sterile way larger procedures are done, the skin and deeper tissues can still be lifted to address mild amounts of jowling, excess skin and improvements to the jaw contour.
Lip Lift
This is a minimal excision of skin from under the nose, that is used to give elevation and shorting of the upper lip, for patients who have thin or minimal upper lip show. I can address those with ‘long upper’ lips that might hide upper tooth show and hence a smile. The procedure required very little downtime but does involve stitches and a subtle scar barely visible under the base of the nose. In combination with careful use of lip fillers this can add upper lip volume that had ben lost with age.
Ear pinning/Otoplasty
Often done under general anaesthetic for children with ‘bat ears’. This procedure for adults could be done under local anaesthetic, with the benefit of viewing the change while in surgery.