What is the difference between general anesthesia and local anesthesia? What is sedation?

Choosing the right anesthesia: an important aspect of every medical procedure

In plastic surgery, for example, general anesthesia or local anesthesia is often used, depending on the procedure.

But what exactly is the difference between the two, and when is each type of anesthesia applied?

Read on to learn more about the difference between general anesthesia and local anesthesia, and which treatments at Global Care Clinic are performed under these forms of anesthesia.

1. Difference between general anesthesia and local anesthesia – What is sedation?

General (full) anesthesia:

Under general anesthesia, the entire body is numbed by an anesthesiologist, causing temporary unconsciousness. This is necessary for procedures that are more invasive or require complete muscle relaxation.

To further enhance your comfort, local anesthesia is also administered to the area being operated on. This ensures that no pain is experienced during the procedure.

Moreover, our anesthesia is specialized for day surgery (day hospitalization): a milder form of anesthesia where patients are in a deep, comfortable sleep, breathing spontaneously and receiving optimal pain relief. This reduces the risk of complications such as bleeding, thrombosis, and nausea. The additional pain relief and local anesthesia of the treated area ensure that more than 95% of our patients experience no pain after the procedure.

Local anesthesia:

In contrast to general anesthesia, local or regional anesthesia numbs only one part of the body or a specific area. You remain conscious during the procedure. To make the experience as comfortable as possible, local anesthesia is often combined with sedation (a sleep or relaxation effect) — a calming medication that helps you relax, feel at ease, or even sleep during the procedure.

2. Treatments at Global Care Clinic under general anesthesia or local anesthesia

At Global Care Clinic, both types of anesthesia are used depending on the type of surgery.

Procedures under general anesthesia:

Some procedures performed under general anesthesia include:

• Breast augmentation
• Breast lift
• Breast reduction
• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
• Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)
• Eyelid surgery with brow lift

Procedures under local anesthesia:

For less invasive treatments, local anesthesia often combined with sedation is often chosen for added comfort. This ensures that you are relaxed and pain-free during the procedure but remain conscious.

Some procedures performed under local anesthesia include:

• Eyelid surgery
• Labiaplasty
• Ear (lobe) correction
• Liposuction
• Phenol peels

In some treatments, you may also opt for general anesthesia, which may incur additional costs.

Interesting to know:

All surgeries, whether under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, are performed in the modern operating theater at Global Care Clinic. This ensures that every procedure is carried out safely and professionally, with the highest level of care and hygiene.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right anesthesia is essential for a comfortable and safe treatment. At Global Care Clinic, we ensure that you are always well-informed about your options so you can make the best decision for your procedure. Whether it’s surgery under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, we are here to help you achieve your desired results with comfort and safety.