What You Need to Know About Anesthesia

If there is one thing that is most associated with rhinoplasty and double eyelid surgery, or any surgical cosmetic procedure for that matter, is that it involves pain. That is why anesthesia plays a huge part in performing such procedures. It is one of the main considerations that is taken into account even during the consultation process. But, anesthesia is always placed at the backseat and rarely do patients think about it. And that may also be the case for you. So before you head out to a cosmetic surgeon’s clinic, here are some of the important things that you should know about anesthesia.

What is Anesthesia?

In its truest sense, anesthesia is the state where a patient is temporarily placed in a condition of unconsciousness, muscle relaxation and loss of pain. The term is often confused with the medicine used to induce this state, which is more appropriately called as anesthetics. Anesthesia is a distinct medical intervention that allows a doctor to effectively perform another medical procedure by relieving pain and sensation during surgery.

There are several forms of anesthesia, which uses one or more types of drugs or anesthetics to achieve the goal of inducing the loss of sensation. This is generally classified into three different types. These are usually administered in various ways, either through injection or gas or vapor inhalation, and affect the nervous system differently in blocking the nerve impulses, which results in the reduction of pain. And as with most people, it can get a little confusing how each one works. So here is a simple and definitive guide for you to know.

General Anesthesia

This is the type of anesthesia that is the most commonly known and one that a majority of people thinks of when anesthesia is referred to. General anesthesia suppresses the activity of the central nervous system and affects the entire body. You will be completely unconscious during the entire medical procedure as though you are asleep. Because of this, you will feel the following when under general anesthesia.

• You do not feel any pain.
• You will remember your surgery.
• You are not aware of what is going on.
• Your reflexes, specifically your heart rate, slow down and muscles relax.

It is often inhaled through a breathing tube or mask or through the vein. Usually, the effects are immediate with the patient being unconscious within one minute after the induction. You will then regain consciousness in the recovery room. This is usually done for rhinoplasty procedures.

Local Anesthesia

Another type of anesthesia is local anesthesia, where it only affects a small area of the body or patch of skin insensitive from pain . This is the form of anesthesia that is commonly used in dental procedures, minimally invasive skin treatments and minor cosmetic procedures, like double eyelid surgery. It blocks specific nerve pathways that cause reversible paralysis and analgesia or reduced sensation. With local anesthesia, you will be completely awake and aware during the entire procedure and may still feel pressure. It comes in the form of creams, gels and sprays, but may also be administered through injection.

Regional Anesthesia

Regional anesthesia is most often confused and interchanged with local anesthesia. However, regional anesthesia affects a large part of the body, such a limb or a wider region of the body. It blocks single nerve or a group of nerves. Most of the time, you will be awake during the entire procedure to allow the doctor to still converse with the patient throughout the operation. However, a sedative may be administered to help you feel relaxed. Regional anesthesia is commonly used for labor and childbirth. It may be given in a single injection, intravenously or through a catheter. The common types are epidural anesthetic or spinal anesthetic.

Procedural Sedation

Lastly, Procedural sedation, or commonly referred to as twilight anesthesia, is a type of anesthesia that is most often performed in minor cosmetic surgeries. You will remain completely awake and will be able to respond to your doctor. However, you may feel groggy and sleepy during the entire session. It can be given orally, inhaled, injected or the combination of three.

What Happens During the Procedure

The preoperative instructions that will be given by your cosmetic surgeon is essential not only to ensure the safety of the operation and healing after the procedure, but also for the anesthesia to take its action effectively. Your cosmetic surgeon will thoroughly assess your medical history and may require you to undergo several laboratory tests. These will be shared with the anesthesiologist who will administer the anesthesia for your cosmetic procedure.

These important consultation information will help your doctor and anesthesiologist to determine the appropriate type of anesthesia that will be used for your specific case. It is very important for you to be completely honest in providing medical information and in answering questions during your consultation prior to your surgery.

During the operation day, your rhinoplasty or double eyelid surgery will begin with the anesthesiologist introducing the drug. For entire duration of the procedure, your anesthesiologist, along with his team, will be responsible for ensuring your comfort and well being by monitoring your vital body functions.

After the procedure, a post-anesthesia care will need to be put in place to ensure your safe recovery and vital functions are observed closely. This is to help make sure that side effects and risks are kept at a minimum or completely eliminated, which may include minor risks of nausea or vomiting. However, according to a WebMD article, errors in anesthesia is relatively uncommon and is even deemed to be one of the safest areas in health care.

Your Anesthesiologist

While this may be the case, it is still best to approach a cosmetic surgeon who is affiliated with an equally credible and experienced anesthesiologist. It is important that you remember that an anesthesiologist is responsible for your safety and overall comfort during your surgical cosmetic procedure. Not only will they provide you with pain control, but they also ensure that your vital functions are at its proper working condition during your operation.

Seek a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon who has a good working relationship with an anesthesiologist, as their close coordination is integral in making sure that you get the safest treatment possible.

If you are looking for a rhinoplasty or double eyelid surgery doctor in Australia, Dr. Ahnsup Andrew Kim of the Advance Beauty Cosmetic Surgery is the one to approach. Dr. Kim works with the best in field of anesthesiology in Australia in performing your aesthetic enhancement. They have clinics in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

To schedule your free consultation with Dr. Kim, call us now to book your schedule today!

12 Health Conditions That Can Prevent Your Cosmetic Surgery

Are you a good candidate for cosmetic surgery? Before going to a doctor’s clinic for a surgical cosmetic enhancement done, there are three key important criteria that you need to remember to be considered a good candidate for a cosmetic surgery. Whether you are getting a full facelift or any cosmetic enhancements, like a rhinoplasty or double eyelid surgery, you must have a good grasp of the risks involved in the procedure, have realistic expectations and you have to be in tiptop health condition.

This is where the consultation process becomes a vital aspect of a cosmetic procedure, as this is where your doctor can properly determine whether you are a fit candidate for a cosmetic surgery. As part of this process, most doctors will require you to undergo several preoperative tests to find out existing health conditions, which you may already be aware of or not. Serious health conditions can hamper the procedure or may result to very poor healing. If this turns up during your consultation and in your test results, your cosmetic procedure may need to be postponed or even called off.

Smoking

Unhealthy lifestyle choices can get in the way of a successful cosmetic procedure. Smoking can have an impact on your body before and after a surgery regardless of the type of procedure. This is the reason why cosmetic surgeons will not operate on smokers and will be advised to avoid smoking weeks before your procedure. You will also need to refrain from smoking after the procedure to ensure proper healing.

Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide. This greatly reduces the ability of the red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body, especially to the healing tissues, which helps to fight infection and encourage proper wound healing. Also, smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict and increases the risk of developing heart and breathing problems.

Drug and Alcohol Use

Another unhealthy lifestyle choice that can hinder you from getting a cosmetic procedure is drug and alcohol use. Same with smoking, you will be advised to refrain from drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs several weeks before and after the procedure.

In a 2013 Reuters article, a study led by Maria Eliasen of the National Institute of Public Health at the University of Southern Denmark in Copenhagen revealed that, “Heavy drinkers were also 73 percent more likely to contract a post-op infection, 80 percent more likely to have difficulty breathing and 29 percent more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit than non-drinkers.” This is because alcohol compromises the immune system and increases the endocrine stress response to surgery, which increases the risk of bleeding and poor healing process.

In the case of illegal drugs use, the risks are even higher, as the side effects of both alcohol and smoking can be experienced.

Obesity

If you are severely overweight, your doctor may recommend you to lose weight, preferably to your ideal weight. This is especially true for procedures performed on the body, like liposuction and tummy tuck, as excess fat can put more tension on the incisions resulting in more noticeable scarring. Also, you will get better and safer results. However for procedures like rhinoplasty and double eyelid surgery, weight loss may not be necessary.

But in general, weight loss may be needed based on the anesthesia used during surgery. Having an ideal body weight decreases any complications involved from the anesthetic.  

High Blood Pressure

In general, you can still have surgery even if you have high blood pressure, especially during emergency cases. There are drugs used to control the heart rate and blood pressure during the procedure that are fast acting and effective. However for cosmetic procedures, you may be advised to keep your blood pressure levels as close to normal levels as possible. This helps in reducing any complications that may be involved during the procedure.

If you are taking medications to control your blood pressure, inform your doctor about this during your consultation. This will allow your doctor to determine whether this can affect your procedure and healing, as well as recommend an alternative drug to replace it before and while you recover from the procedure.

Cardiovascular Disease

If you have a heart disease, you may have a higher risk of developing a blood clot after a cosmetic surgery that cause a dangerous blockage in the blood stream. Also, the anesthetics used can cause problems when your heart is not in its tiptop condition.

However, having a heart disease does not make you a bad candidate for cosmetic surgery altogether. Your doctor may require you to secure a clearance from your cardiologist before a cosmetic procedure may be performed. Also, your medication will also be considered. You may be advised to stop taking blood-thinning medications before your surgery date with the clearance, of course, of your cardiologist.

Diabetes

One of the health conditions that raise a lot of concern when getting cosmetic surgery is diabetes. This is because high sugar levels in diabetics, whether Type 1 or Type 2, is associated with issues of neuropathy, heart problems, kidney problems and poor wound healing, especially in poorly controlled glucose levels.

Generally, cosmetic surgery can be performed in diabetics. But, an extensive blood work may need to be performed to determine and ensure that you have a good control of your blood glucose levels. However for Type 1 diabetes, a special arrangement may need to be made because of the dietary changes needed in preparation for a procedure and the type of anesthetic that will be used.

Respiratory Disorder

Functional rhinoplasty is usually performed to correct breathing problems without necessarily changing the appearance of the nose. However, if you are suffering from a respiratory disorder or severe breathing problem, an extensive preoperative test may need to be in order. This will help your doctor evaluate whether or not you are a good candidate, as difficulty in breathing can put you at risk when you are sedated.

Anemia

Because cosmetic surgery involves blood loss, anemia is one of the health conditions that may result to a cancellation of a surgery. Anemia increases the risk of progressive decrease in your red blood cells, intra-operative blood loss, post-operative bruising and intravascular blood loss.

You may be required to seek further medical treatment to identify the cause of your anemia, the medications and the methods to increase your blood count. You may be recommended to take iron supplements to get your blood count within normal range.

Bleeding Disorders

If you are suffering from any bleeding disorder, you may be required to undergo extensive workup, as it can have dangerous risks during and after surgery. Hemophiliacs who lack the blood clotting factors can lead to profuse bleeding during surgery and can even result to death. On the other hand, hematoma also known as postoperative bleeding that occurs directly under the skin, though not life threatening, may require inconvenient additional treatment to identify the blood vessels and evacuate a blood clot.

Cosmetic surgery can still be performed safely, however, with the assistance of a hematologist or with blood medication and products. So if you have a family history of heavy menstrual period, bruising and postoperative bleeding (such as after a simple procedure like a dental work), immediately bring this up with your doctor during consultation.

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV, may not make you a good candidate for cosmetic surgery, in certain cases. This is because it could lead to poor wound healing and infection.

However, if your disease is considered “inactive”, this will not stop you from getting a procedure done. Your doctor and his medical team will employ precautions to prevent them from contracting the disease. It is imperative that you inform your doctor if you have such diseases. If you are a bit apprehensive of disclosing this information, do not worry, as doctors will take this with utmost confidentiality.  

Undergoing Personal Crisis

In the US Women’s Health Office website, ASPS says that patients undergoing personal crisis are best advised to put off their cosmetic surgery until you have sorted out the issues first. You should be in your sound mind when deciding to get a surgical cosmetic procedure done once the doctor gets your consent.

Mental Illness

If a patient is exhibiting symptoms of mental illness or a psychological disorder, undergoing a cosmetic surgery may not be possible. Individuals suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD, insists on unrealistic expectations and those who seek the consultation of doctor after doctor to get the treatment that they want will be advised to undergo psychological treatment and/or medication before getting cosmetic surgery.

Undergoing a cosmetic surgery, whether a facelift, rhinoplasty or double eyelid surgery, can create a huge impact, not just physically, but on the psychological level, as well. That is why it is important that you should equip yourself with the proper information about the procedure you are getting, no matter how minor you think it is.

It is also an advantage to seek out a cosmetic surgeon who has had the long and extensive experience in the field. Dr. Ahnsup Andrew Kim of the Advance Beauty Cosmetic Surgery has been specializing in rhinoplasty and double eyelid surgery for many years now.

Dr. Kim offers a free consultation to his patients who are seeking out to enhance their face with a well-balanced nose or natural-looking double eyelids. Visit their clinics now in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney or call now to schedule your free consultation.

The Importance of Your Rhinoplasty Consultation

We all know for a fact that when you seek out a surgical cosmetic procedure, like a rhinoplasty, you just do not simply go in the operating room to have your nose reshaped done. It is a long and thorough process that begins inside the consultation room. It cannot be over emphasized how important it is that you give your full attention during your discussion with the doctor. The consultation, after all, is the most important meeting that you will have with your surgeon.

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In fact for certain cases, it can even involve multiple consultations with the doctor before the actual procedure will be carried out. Just with any other surgical procedure, rhinoplasty carries potential health risks and can have an effect on your self-esteem. That is why a medical consultation with your surgeon should never be underestimated as simply “just” a part of the process you are obligated to go through.

Complete Medical History

One of the basic things that will be covered during your consultation is for your surgeon to take a look at your medical history. This will help your surgeon assess whether you are a suitable candidate for a nose job. If you are in poor health condition, prone to poor wound healing and have immune system disorders, it is always best to be honest about these during your consultation.

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Your surgeon needs to get accurate and detailed information about your medical history. And there is no better way to do this than to openly and candidly discuss these with your doctor. Some may recommend additional treatments to boost your immune system before any procedure will be done, or the procedure will be disregarded totally and an alternative treatment may be suggested. It is important to remember that getting a cosmetic surgery is not a joke, risks will be minimized drastically if you are open about any existing conditions that you initially have.

Realistic Expectations

Having a realistic expectation of the outcome is crucial in determining the success of your procedure, as well as helps guarantee that you will be happy with the result.  The consultation session allows you to discuss this with your doctor, who will be able to determine whether your goals are realistic and discuss with you the approaches on how best to achieve them.

You may even bring with you photographs of individuals who you think have good noses as reference to help you decide what you want. However, it is best to realize that cosmetic surgeries are performed to enhance your natural features. It is not done to duplicate another person’s features. Also you have to understand that while the outcome of your procedure may result to a dramatic impact in your life, it is not a solution to your life’s problems. That is why it is important that you consult a specialist that understands this valuable premise that cosmetic procedure like a rhinoplasty is not about achieving perfection. But rather, it is about attaining balance in consonance with your overall features to give your esteem a much needed boost.

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During your consultation, ask your doctor for a digital imaging of your expected outcome and the full range of possible results based on your expectations and the surgeon’s recommendation. While the imaging may not exactly match the results, it will be helpful to provide you with an idea how you will look like after you have completely healed from the procedure.

Procedure Overview and Personalized Treatment

A detailed discussion of your personalized treatment will also be discussed during your consultation. No two procedures are the same. Each individual’s treatment is as unique as your own fingerprint, or in this case your nose. The technique and approach may be the same, but the manner in which the procedure will be performed will vary from person to person.

Your doctor will provide you with a general overview on how the procedure will be performed, as well as discuss with you the preoperative preparation and postoperative care instructions. This is the time that you should be all ears and listen intently as the doctor discuss these things with you. The consultation should cover areas from the surgery preparation, the details of your procedure (anesthesia, approach, type of nose implant and length of procedure among many others) and the postoperative recovery.

Potential Risks

We have mentioned earlier that no matter how experienced the surgeon is in performing a procedure, the possibility of risks and complications cannot be totally avoided. That is why the consultation session is also the best time for your doctor to discuss this issue with you. A credible doctor will discuss this openly with you to let you in on the dangers of the procedure, which can include healing problems if postoperative care is not strictly followed.

Planning the Operation

After taking a detailed look into your medical history and your personalized treatment, a schedule plan of your operation will also be discussed during your consultation. Take it as if you are planning a very special occasion. More often than not, patients fail to realize this aspect in a surgical procedure. So during your consultation, inform your doctor of any scheduled trips or business meetings so that it can be properly considered and integrated into your surgery schedule. Remember, a rhinoplasty operation does not just involve the surgery day itself, it will continue on until you have completely healed, which can take several months.

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Ask Questions

You should also take note that the consultation is not just about the doctor talking all throughout the session. Never hesitate to ask questions or voice out your concerns about your treatment. If there are terms that you are unfamiliar about or have trouble understanding, ask your doctor to clarify it for you in simple terms that will make it easier for you to understand.

It is best that before you go in the doctor’s clinic for a consultation that you do your own advanced research. Read up on rhinoplastyFAQs to help you to understand what your doctor will be talking about. You can even list down possible questions based on your research and ask them during your consultation. Here are a few basic questions you may need to ask your doctor during consultation.

• How experienced are you with performing rhinoplasty?
• Are you a board-certified cosmetic surgeon? Are you a member of Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and The Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery?
• What is your success rate?
• What can I expect from the procedure?
• What approach is best for my case, closed or open approach?
• What type of implants will be used? What are the differences between Silicone, GoreTex and nasal grafts?
• What are the risks of the procedure?
• How much will the procedure cost me?
• What does your quote include and exclude?
• Do you have financing options?
• Do you provide aftercare services? If so, for how long?

Also, this is the best time for you to ask for before and after photos of past patients. You can even ask your doctor of any testimonials or case studies of procedures he has done in the past for you to read. Never hesitate to ask for these information, a trustworthy surgeon will never hesitate to provide these to you.

Decision-making and Consent

Making that ultimate decision to proceed with your rhinoplasty can be effectively carried out with the advice of your doctor, which can happen in the consultation room. From there, you can give an informed consent to your surgeon that you are ready to proceed with the procedure. Remember though that you are not required to make a decision and give your consent immediately after a consultation. A good surgeon will give you enough time to process the information and really think whether you will push through with your rhinoplasty or not. Raise your redflag when a doctor coerces you to make a hasty decision immediately after a consultation.

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If you have further clarifications, you can always seek out a second consultation to discuss any questions that you have in mind.

At Advance Beauty Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Ahnsup Andrew Kim gives high importance in the consultation process of a rhinoplasty procedure. Dr. Kim is thorough in making sure that are all areas are covered and provide you with all the information that you will need. Also, he solicits questions and clarifications from his patients to ensure that they will be able to make an informed decision.

To book your free consultation with Dr. Kim, visit our clinics at Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney or call us now to schedule!

  

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