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What is Cocktail Anesthesia?
Cocktail anesthesia is a method of combining oral medications and nerve-blocking injections so you don’t feel discomfort during your surgical procedure. This is different from general anesthesia which usually requires strict monitoring, uncomfortable intubation, pre-op steps, and a longer recovery. Rather, you’ll take a few pills and receive a few injections in your treatment area before your procedure for a completely relaxed and comfortable experience.
Cocktail Anesthesia Benefits
Cocktail anesthesia has a history of being safe, predictable, consistent, and comfortable for patients. Additionally, there’s no IVs involved, no intubation and no tubes down your nose or mouth which means that you can simply relax. Most patients enjoy a significant reduction in anxiety and apprehension during their procedure with cocktail anesthesia, as well as a much quicker recovery time and easier recovery process. Cocktail anesthesia does come with fewer risks of complications as well and can be beneficial for certain procedures like body contouring where you can still move on your own for better access to your treatment areas. Lastly, cocktail anesthesia can come at a lower cost since general anesthesia requires monitoring by a board-certified anesthesiologist during your procedure.
Cocktail anesthesia is Dr. Diktaban’s preferred method for procedures like brow lifts, eyelid surgery, facelift, neck lift, breast lift, liposuction, fat transfer, and body contouring procedures like the arm lift.
What Happens During Treatment?
Before your procedure, you’ll receive instructions on how to prepare. Then, you’ll take a few pills and receive some specialized injections near your treatment area to numb any pain. Most patients remain in a “floating” state during treatment and are not fully awake but not fully asleep. It might seem difficult to comprehend this type of anesthesia without having tried it. You can only really understand it by undergoing it for yourself. However, Dr. Diktaban’s office can always arrange for you to speak with a patient who received the cocktail anesthesia. This can greatly increase your comfort and reduce any nervousness you might have before or during your procedure. You’ll be monitored throughout for your vital signs to ensure you’re remaining safe and at low-risk. Finally, once your procedure is complete, you’ll be brought to a recovery room and discharged much earlier than a similar procedure under general anesthesia.
Cocktail Anesthesia Recovery
After cocktail anesthesia, you might experience some grogginess, but you can return home for your recovery without the nausea or discomfort that often comes with general anesthesia. This means most patients enjoy a much easier and more successful recovery. Additionally, it comes with fewer risks of vascular complications like deep vein thrombosis. Dr. Diktaban has used cocktail anesthesia for almost nine years and offers a more enjoyable surgical experience for his patients.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Diktaban is a leading, board certified plastic surgeon in the Upper East Side. To meet with our team and learn more about your options for comfortable surgical procedures, we invite you to contact our office by calling or filling out our online form.