New York Post Ā highlighted a growing trend in cosmetic procedures where patients remain awake under local anesthesiaāfeaturing expert insight from Dr. Babak Azizzadeh.
The article explores how more patients are opting for āawakeā surgeries, using local anesthesia and oral sedation instead of general anesthesia. This approach appeals to those looking to avoid the risks, recovery time, and costs associated with being fully sedated, while allowing them to leave shortly after the procedure.
While some surgeons promote this method as safer and more convenient, others raise concerns about patient comfort, surgical precision, and potential risksāparticularly during longer or more complex procedures like facelifts.
Dr. Azizzadeh emphasized an important clinical consideration: excessive use of local anesthetic (lidocaine) can interfere with facial nerve monitoring, which is critical for achieving optimal results during facial surgery. He noted that while certain proceduresāsuch as fat grafting and lip liftsācan be effectively performed under local anesthesia, more complex surgeries require careful evaluation.
The takeaway: while āawakeā procedures are gaining popularity, patient selection, surgical complexity, and safety protocols remain key factors in determining the best approach.
š Read the full article on NY Post:
Astonishing image shows half-done faceliftĀ – as patients embrace new awake surgery trend