Many patients considering facelifts or necklifts fear the use of general anesthesia or IV sedation, which is a major deterrent to getting procedures done. Performing a facelift or a necklift under local anesthesia is a much safer option for the patient, and when completed by an expert, does not compromise the result, according to some plastic surgeons.

Beverly Hills, Calif.-based plastic surgeon John Anastasatos, MD, FACS, is one physician who is championing this practice—due, in large part, to the advanced training in facelift and necklift surgery using local anesthesia he received under industry pioneer Luis Vasconez, MD. 

Even so, Anastasatos’ team says not all plastic surgeons are capable or comfortable with doing facelifts or necklifts under local anesthesia. It requires extra skill, extra training, and extra patience, they say. Fortunately, Anastasatos uses cutting-edge techniques and injection methods during the surgery, with his patients only feeling an initial “mosquito bite” with limited or no pain for the remaining injections. 

The blood pressure and the heart rate of patients remain stable throughout the whole operation. From a surgical standpoint, the risk of a post-operative hematoma and blood clots significantly diminishes when performing facelift and necklift procedures under local anesthesia, according to Anastasatos. 

The recovery process begins immediately, and tiredness associated with general anesthesia is also avoided. The cost of performing a facelift and/or necklift under local anesthesia is comparable to one done with general anesthesia or IV sedation; however, it does require additional time in the operating room.

“Performing lifts of the face and neck area with local anesthesia expands the spectrum of patients who can get these procedures done, and overall, it is much safer for them,” says Anastasatos. “My patients have been thrilled with the exceptional results that I have been able to achieve.:

Many patients considering facelifts or necklifts fear the use of general anesthesia or IV sedation, which is a major deterrent to getting procedures done. Performing a facelift or a necklift under local anesthesia is a much safer option for the patient, and when completed by an expert, does not compromise the result, according to some plastic surgeons.

Beverly Hills, Calif.-based plastic surgeon John Anastasatos, MD, FACS, is one physician who is championing this practice—due, in large part, to the advanced training in facelift and necklift surgery using local anesthesia he received under industry pioneer Luis Vasconez, 

Even so, Anastasatos’ team says not all plastic surgeons are capable or comfortable with doing facelifts or necklifts under local anesthesia. It requires extra skill, extra training, and extra patience, they say. Anastasatos, for instance, uses cutting-edge techniques and injection methods during the surgery, with his patients only feeling an initial “mosquito bite,” with limited or no pain for the remaining injections. 

The blood pressure and the heart rate of patients remain stable throughout the whole operation. From a surgical standpoint, the risk of a post-operative hematoma and blood clots significantly diminishes when performing facelift and necklift procedures under local anesthesia, according to Anastasatos. 

The recovery process begins immediately, and tiredness associated with general anesthesia is also avoided. The cost of performing a facelift and/or necklift under local anesthesia is comparable to one done with general anesthesia or IV sedation; however, it does require additional time in the operating room.

“Performing lifts of the face and neck area with local anesthesia expands the spectrum of patients who can get these procedures done, and overall, it is much safer for them,” says Anastasatos. “My patients have been thrilled with the exceptional results that I have been able to achieve.: