Technological advances have made cosmetic surgical procedures less invasive and more cost-effective than ever before.  While the number of people opting for these elective surgeries has steadily increased each year, the risk associated with unnecessary anesthesia also has climbed. With more than 25 years of surgical experience, Frank P. Filiberto, MD, Chief Surgeon of Artful Awakenings, has developed an alternative to general anesthesia that is completely safe 100 percent of the time.  Below are some of the most common questions Dr. Filiberto receives about general anesthesia and the alternative method he developed Comfort Anesthesia.

What is general anesthesia?

General anesthesia, the most common method used when performing cosmetic surgeries, renders patients unconscious throughout the procedure so they do not feel or remember anything.  Essentially, the brain is put to sleep so the body does not respond to pain signals, and the heart and lungs are controlled by advanced medical equipment.

How dangerous is comfort anesthesia?

Most patients in good health do not experience difficulties with general anesthesia.  However, a small percentage of people actually wake up during the procedure.  Other complications can range from temporary mental confusion and lung infections to strokes, heart attacks, and even death.

Does Dr. Filiberto ever recommend general anesthesia?

Dr. Filiberto does not believe patients should ever subject themselves to general anesthesia for elective procedures.  The risks are simply too great.  In fact, last year alone, 25 patients died from general anesthesia while undergoing facelifts in the state of Florida.

What is different about Dr. Filiberto’s method?

Dr. Filiberto’s method combines the best practices of anesthesiologists with his years of experience using local anesthesia (a technique for decreasing pain in a specific area of the body) to create Comfort Anesthesia.

How does Comfort Anesthesia work?

Comfort Anesthesia blends tumescent anesthesia (a mixture that includes an anesthetic, sodium bicarbonate, adrenalin and Xylocaine) with medications that leave patients feeling very relaxed with no sense of pain.  This method also eliminates burning and irritation at the injection site.

How safe is Comfort Anesthesia?

Comfort Anesthesia is completely safe 100 percent of the time because it uses no medications that alter the body’s major functions such as heart rate and blood pressure.  It also leaves the system immediately, unlike general anesthesia, which can remain in the body and produce side effects for days afterward.

How will I feel during the surgical procedure?

After the Comfort Anesthesia is administered, patients report feeling completely relaxed with a “twilight” sensation.  Although patients are able to communicate with Dr. Filiberto throughout the procedure, the medications completely eliminate any feelings of pain and anxiety.

What will I experience after the procedure?

Afterward, patients are able to get up off of the operating table and leave the office without assistance or memory of the surgical procedure.  In fact, most people feel so well the first day that they must be reminded to take their pain medications to avoid discomfort as the Comfort Anesthesia wears off.  It is important to note that patients should arrange to have someone drive them home following surgery.

If Comfort Anesthesia is so great, why aren’t more surgeons using it?

Medicine is part science and part art, and very few surgeons are adept at using tumescent anesthesia in combination with other medications.  After years of experience, Dr. Filiberto has perfected his method of delivery.

What other safety measures are employed at Artful Awakenings?

Surgical suites at Artful Awakenings are only available for cosmetic procedures, in contrast to hospitals, where the same space may be used for patients with life-threatening infections.  Dr. Filiberto also is certified in advanced cardiac life support, should patients experience difficulties not associated with the procedure.

Should patients seek second opinions?

The decision to undergo an elective surgical procedure is one that should be made with great care and diligent research.  Dr. Filiberto believes that patients should be educated consumers and he always encourages them to seek second opinions.

]