Cosmetic surgery - Goldilocks anesthesia is not Mickey Mouse

Corona del Mar, CA
December 16, 2008

While all cosmetic surgery can be performed under purely local anesthesia, most patients desire not to hear, feel or remember their surgery - a condition commonly associated with general anesthesia (GA).

A new form of iv sedation, pioneered by anesthesiologist Dr. Barry L. Friedberg, is called minimally invasive or 'Goldilocks' anesthesia that provides the desired benefits of GA without the associated, avoidable risks.

Minimally invasive or ‘Goldilocks’ anesthesia is suitable for all cosmetic surgery cases. All cosmetic cases are minimally invasive surgery because they take place outside the body cavities. Therefore, ‘Goldilocks’ anesthesia is minimally invasive anesthesia for minimally invasive surgery.

Although GA has become safer today than it was 20 years ago, the inherent risks of GA are simply not acceptable for elective cosmetic surgery patients.

'Goldilocks' anesthesia is safer and simpler with better recovery than GA.

Guided by the patient’s brain activity, 'Goldilocks' anesthesia provides the correct amount of medication that is neither too much nor too little.

At the start of surgery, 'Goldilocks' anesthesia prevents the patient from experiencing the pain of the local anesthesia injection common to all cosmetic and dental surgery. Because the patient is asleep, the BIS monitor helps the surgeon know when to re-inject local anesthesia during surgery.

By eliminating both the before and during surgical sources of pain, ‘Goldilocks’ anesthesia allows patients to wake up without sufficient discomfort to require powerful narcotics (or opioids), like morphine, Demerol or fentanyl.

Patients also typically awaken quickly from 'Goldilocks' anesthesia, feeling clear-headed, and not nauseated. The lack of nausea or vomiting is important for all cosmetic surgery patients but especially so for tummy tuck and facelift patients.

'Goldilocks' anesthesia contains a powerful antioxidant (propofol) while GA is inflammatory. That difference explains why ‘Goldilocks’ anesthesia patients look and feel better than those who have had GA.

Empowered patients know about ‘Goldilocks’ anesthesia and ask for it.

More information about minimally invasive or ’Goldilocks’ anesthesia can be found at a patient-oriented, non-commercial web site: www.cosmeticsurgeryanesthesia.com.

Source Cosmetic Surgery Anesthesia