Home » Blog » Are patients intubated for a Facelift?

Are patients intubated for a Facelift?

Dr. Dean Kane Q & A Q. Are patients intubated for a Facelift? I’m wondering how you can see what ones face looks like around the mouth area when a patient is intubated for a facelift? A. Great question! ​ ​There are 3 basic types of anesthesia used by themselves or in combination for facelift surgery or any other surgery for that matter.
  1. ​Local anesthesia such as xylocaine injection
  2. ​Sedation anesthesia: oral or IV (intravenous)
  3. ​IV general or general inhalant anesthesia
The injection of local anesthesia is painful to most individuals particularly with the number of injections required for a facelift. You will also be fully awake and probably uncomfortable for a procedure as long as a facelift. Concerns include anxiety and heart rhythm changes associated with the local anesthetic. Oral sedation will temper much of the anxiety and may even cause some forgetfulness of the injection experience. It will improve your experience but there remains concerns include going in and out of sedation and associated pain. IV sedation / general anesthesia is what I prefer as the patient is monitored by a qualified nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist maintaining pain control, amnesia, breathing, heart rhythm and other vital signs so the surgeon can perform his / her best for you. General endotracheal anesthesia is quite common for facelifts but may be associated with greater concerns of nausea / vomiting. Other than local anesthesia by itself, most facelifts provide supplemental oxygen via cannula, LMA (laryngeal mask) or endotracheal tube. The medical condition of the patient and the skill / talent and comfort level of the surgeon will determine which options to choose. Oxygenation and airway control are the main reasons for using a LMA or endotracheal tube. These tubes rarely impair the surgeon as we move around the face constantly to perform a face and neck lift. I trust this is helpful. All the best!
« »

You May Also Like

What can be done about the excess skin along the back as well as the front of the body?

 Read More

Are there times when surgery is not recommended?

 Read More

Facial wrinkles are created from 4 different layers of the skin, fat and muscle

 Read More