Hair Transplant Surgery: What Are Your Anesthesia Options?
Over the past few years, surgical hair loss treatment has only become safer and more dependable as results have become more impressive and natural looking. One of the reasons that hair restoration surgery is so safe is that, while it is a relatively lengthy surgery that requires meticulous care to perform properly, it does not have to be performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. While it would certainly not be an entirely pain-free procedure without at least a local anesthetic, most patients experience no discomfort during surgery, and any post-surgical discomfort can generally be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
Dr. Raymond Konior is careful to discuss in detail hair transplant surgery and anesthesia options at his Chicago office during consultations with patients. If you are considering hair transplant surgery, it is important that you understand all of your options before you commit to undergoing the procedure.
What Anesthesia Options Are Available to Patients during Hair Transplant Surgery?
Although patients do have options when it comes to their anesthesia, general anesthesia is usually not among them. In general, if it is not necessary to put a patient completely under during a surgical procedure, then it is best not to do so. While general anesthesia is safe when properly administered and monitored, it does introduce a number of risks that can be avoided with other types of anesthesia.
For this reason, the vast majority of hair transplant surgeons, including Dr. Konior, use local rather than general anesthesia. This allows patients to remain awake and alert, but feel no discomfort, during the procedure. They can be fully involved during the surgery, responding to prompts and answering questions. Some patients choose to watch television or enjoy conversation with our hair restoration team.
Local anesthesia is generally administered into the specific regions being treated. If the patient wishes, or if the patient is experiencing some discomfort during the procedure, an oral sedative can also be administered to help the patient relax. This, too, would not put the patient to sleep, but would help to induce a state of deep calm and further reduce sensitivity not only to discomfort, but also to the sights, sounds, and other sensations of the surgery room.
Most patients consider their hair transplantation experience relaxing and stress free, even though hair transplant surgery is an invasive, highly intricate procedure. We will do everything we can to make your experience as pleasant and relaxing as possible, as well. After all, we put nothing above the safety, comfort, and overall satisfaction of our valued patients.
Learn More about Hair Transplant Surgery and Anesthesia Options
To learn more about hair transplant surgery and your anesthesia options, we invite you to contact Chicago Hair Institute, the hair restoration clinic of Dr. Raymond Konior, today. We would be pleased to address any questions or concerns you might have and to assist you in scheduling your initial consultation with Dr. Konior at our state-of-the-art hair loss center.
