Understanding Your Surgery and Sedation Options at Aviva Plastic Surgery

Preparing for a surgical transformation is an exciting journey, but it is natural to have questions about what the experience will actually feel like. At Aviva Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, Dr. Inessa Fishman prioritizes a safe, comfortable, and seamless experience for every patient, whether the procedure is a minor refinement or a complex reconstruction.

A critical part of your preparation is understanding your anesthesia options. The right choice depends on your specific procedure, your overall health, and your personal comfort preferences.

Light Relaxation and Local Anesthesia: For Focused Treatments

For smaller treatments, Dr. Fishman often utilizes oral relaxing medications paired with local numbing. This allows you to remain awake and comfortable while staying “in control” throughout the process.

• Best For: Lip lifts, scar revisions, labiaplasties, minor facial lesion removals (like lipomas), and buccal fat pad reduction.
• The Benefit: Most patients can walk in and out the same day without the “grogginess” associated with deeper sedation, leading to a very quick recovery

MAC (Twilight) Sedation: The Most Popular Choice for Total Comfort

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC), or twilight sedation, is the preferred option for the majority of our aesthetic surgeries. It provides a perfect balance of comfort and control: you drift into a relaxed, sleep-like state and breathe naturally. While you remain unaware of the procedure, your recovery is typically smoother and faster than with general anesthesia.

• Best For: Facial rejuvenation like brow lifts or eyelid surgery, as well as various in-office contouring and aesthetic procedures.
• The Benefit: Most patients describe waking up feeling refreshed and surprised that the surgery is already finished. It allows for meaningful transformations with less downtime and a faster return to your daily life.

General Anesthesia: For Complex Reconstructions

While many procedures are performed in our private in-office suite, some require the deeper level of a hospital-based setting for safety and precision.

• Best For: Complex nasal surgeries (like septorhinoplasty with cadaver rib grafting), pediatric patients, or those with higher medical risks.
• The Benefit: Performing these in a hospital alongside a specialized anesthesia team ensures the safest possible environment for intricate or long-duration surgeries.

Why Patients Often Prefer MAC Sedation

Many patients choose MAC or twilight sedation whenever possible because it offers a variety of benefits:

• A calm, dream-like experience without the need for full unconsciousness.
• Quicker recovery and significantly less postoperative grogginess when compared to general anesthesia.
• The ability to safely perform surgery in-office, which avoids the higher costs and logistical coordination of a hospital setting.
• A personalized level of comfort, making it ideal for the precision and artistry required in facial and aesthetic procedures.

Whether your procedure involves local anesthesia, twilight sedation, or general anesthesia, Dr. Fishman and her team carefully tailor every plan to align with your specific goals, comfort, and safety. Every detail from the initial anesthesia approach to your personalized recovery plan is designed to make your experience as smooth and reassuring as possible.

Interested in learning more?

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Inessa Fishman to discuss your goals and explore which surgical and sedation option is best suited for you.