Question:
I saw where a facelift can be done under local anesthesia in one hour. Is this true?
Answer:
A certain corporate chains of surgical clinics market a certain limited type of lift which is what I call a short flap facelift. Patients assume that these operations are less dangerous, more economical and comfortable for the patient. Also it is usually stated you can return to all activities a day or two after surgery. The salesperson you first see in this clinic will tell you so. They are advertising the exception rather than the rule. I would challenge the physician who actually does this operation to support and stand by such claims.
The doctors doing this work are under the pressure to do up to five cases a day. We only do one or two cases a day and I like to spend as much time as is necessary to get a good result. We offer all types of anesthesia to all of our patients, though we usually use “twilight sleep” which is intravenous sedation for facelifts and other facial rejuvenation procedures. I feel it is best that someone not remember anything uncomfortable when the operation is done. The total costs of equivalent work done in my clinic are close to that of these limited operations.
Posted by Sheldon Kabaker M.D. FACS