Many patients considering plastic surgery have natural
concerns about undergoing anesthesia.
Anesthesia and Safety
Many patients considering plastic surgery have natural concerns about undergoing anesthesia. Fortunately advances in monitoring equipment and improved anesthesia drugs have largely contributed to improved overall anesthesia safety. The risk of serious injury from anesthesia is statistically quite low.
At Paces Surgical Center, administration of anesthesia is overseen by board certified anesthesiologists Jean White, M.D. and Naureen Adam, M.D. At a preoperative appointment prior to surgery each patient is evaluated by one of our anesthesiologists for a thorough history and examination. On the day of surgery, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA’s) will assist in delivering anesthesia medication and monitoring patients under anesthesiologist supervision.
Patients undergoing procedures at Paces Surgical Center will have either monitored sedation (MAC anesthesia)or general anesthesia. More minor procedures such as small scar revisions or excision of lesions can be performed under local anesthesia administered by the plastic surgeon and do not necessitate an anesthesiologist or operating room.
Monitored sedation or MAC anesthesia is delivered intravenously to make you temporarily drowsy while local anesthesia is injected. While the local anesthesia will keep you numb at the surgical site, you will also be kept sedated to avoid any anxiety or restlessness. Your vital signs will be monitored and supplemental oxygen supplied. The advantages of MAC anesthesia are that recovery can be somewhat quicker and there is a minimized risk of nausea. Procedures that are often done under MAC anesthesia include some eyelid procedures and small areas of liposuction.
General anesthesia relies on a combination of inhaled gases and intravenous medications to render an individual unconscious and thereby pain free. It is necessary to complete more involved procedures such as facelifts, breast surgery, and body contouring procedures like liposuction or tummy tucks. Vital life functions such as blood pressure and oxygen saturation are monitored throughout the surgery.
Following completion of surgery patients are transported to the recovery room or post anesthesia care unit. In the recovery room, a nurse will continue to monitor vital signs and administer medications if necessary for pain control or nausea. The amount of time in the recovery room can vary but generally is about an hour. At this point patients can be discharged to home in the care of a friend or family member. In some cases, patients may elect to stay overnight in one of our five recovery suites. The suites are staffed by a trained nursing team who can assist with early post operative needs and comfort, such as dressing changes, pain control and bathing.
Jean K. White, M.D.
Dr. White is a board certified anesthesiologist and the practice’s medical director. She has been with Paces Plastic Surgery since 1994 and prior to that she was a faculty staff anesthesiologist at Emory University. Dr. White’s primary concerns are patient care, safety, and comfort. She has tailored the perioperative anesthetic experience to reflect Paces Plastic Surgery’s commitment to quality and excellence.
Naureen Adam, M.D.
Dr. Adam is board-certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology. She is a native of Atlanta and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Emory University. She attended medical school at Medical College of Georgia. She completed residency training in Anesthesiology at Emory. Prior to joining Paces in November 2005, she was Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Emory University, specifically the Crawford Long Campus.
