An awake facial procedure is a procedure that uses a safe combination of local anesthetics and mild sedatives for a safer and more comfortable alternative to general anesthesia. At Millard Plastic Surgery, our team of experienced surgeons offers several awake facial procedures to help you achieve lasting enhancements without extensive downtime.
If you are ready to explore your options, please submit our online consultation form or call our Englewood office at (303) 792-5665.
About Awake Facial Procedures
Instead of general anesthesia, our awake facial procedures use a combination of local anesthesia (lidocaine) and a mild sedative medication, such as Valium (diazepam) or Halcion (triazolam). This provides a safer, more comfortable surgical experience, all while delivering the same exceptional results. Our available treatments include:
Mini Facelifts
A mini facelift is a surgical procedure that addresses earlier signs of aging in the lower face by tightening and repositioning weakened facial muscles, soft tissues, and fat. Also known as a short scar or minimum incision facelift, this procedure exclusively addresses concerns around the jawline and neck.
Full Facelifts
Awake full facelifts can effectively target signs of aging around the middle and lower portions of the face, restoring a more vibrant and rejuvenated appearance. This is a more comprehensive alternative to the mini facelift.
Deep Plane Facelift
An awake deep plane facelift lifts and repositions the deeper layers of the face to restore natural, long-lasting facial contours. This advanced technique improves the cheeks, jawline, and folds around the mouth without a tight or pulled look. Results with this technique age incredibly gracefully.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, is a surgical procedure that restores a brighter, more alert appearance in the upper and/or lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty can remove or reposition sagging skin and fat in these areas. (2)
Facial Fat Transfers
A facial fat transfer is a minimally invasive treatment that uses fat taken from your own body to augment certain features. This procedure uses a process called autologous fat grafting, which uses liposuction techniques to harvest fat from other areas of the body before purifying and re-administering it into the treatment area. Facial fat grafting can address many areas of the face, including the cheeks, lips, and under-eyes, with patients choosing to take fat from areas like their abdomen, flanks, or inner thighs. (3)
Neck Liposuction
Neck liposuction, also known as neck lipo, is a cosmetic procedure that can eliminate diet-resistant fat deposits from your neck and jawline. This treatment uses a thin tube called a cannula to break down and suction fat out from targeted areas, allowing for a more slender neck and chiseled look.
Neck Lifts
A neck lift is a procedure that removes excess skin and tightens underlying structures to restore a tighter, smoother look. Neck lift procedures can address sagging, vertical neck bands, a double chin, and more. It is often performed alongside a facelift and neck liposuction.
Benefits
Remaining awake during your facial procedure carries several benefits, including:
- Reduced Recovery Time: General anesthesia can cause several unwanted side effects, including dizziness, brain fog, nausea, urinary retention, vomiting, and more. (1) Remaining awake during treatment bypasses many of these effects, allowing you to feel better and return to your routine sooner.
- Lower Cost: Local anesthesia is typically less expensive compared to general anesthesia, making an awake procedure more cost-effective overall.
- Active Involvement: During an awake facial procedure, your surgeon can discuss and collaborate on your procedure with you during treatment, ensuring personalized results that align with your expectations.
Candidates
Candidates for awake facial procedures consist of men or women interested in enhancing their facial aesthetics without the use of general anesthesia or a lengthy recovery time. We sometimes also recommend these procedures for patients with certain health or medical conditions that would prevent them from receiving general anesthesia.
Anyone interested in undergoing an awake facial procedure should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding their results. Ideal patients are nonsmokers or at least willing to quit using nicotine for an extended period. Our surgical team will determine each individual’s candidacy during their consultation.
Personal Consultation
During your consultation, your surgeon and patient coordinator will meet with you individually to discuss your aesthetic concerns, listen to your desired treatment goals, and learn more about your medical history. They will also perform a physical examination.
Your surgeon will use this information to create your surgical plan and determine the most appropriate techniques for your procedure. Depending on your goals, they may recommend pairing your procedure with another. Your surgeon will dedicate time throughout your consultation to answering any questions you may have, as your consultation is a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of awake facial procedures and what you can expect.
To schedule this consultation and start collaborating with your surgeon, please contact us online or call (303) 792-5665.
Preparation
In preparation for your facial procedure, your surgeon will give you detailed pre-operative instructions.
These instructions may include temporarily refraining from certain medications or supplements, ceasing any nicotine or tobacco use, and avoiding the consumption of alcohol. Although you will remain awake throughout treatment and will be lucid after, we still require arranging transportation home.
By following any instructions you receive, you can facilitate a successful procedure and swift recovery.
Recovery
Recovering from an awake procedure is typically quicker than recovering from a traditional procedure, as you will not need to worry about any lasting effects from general anesthesia.
After your procedure, you can expect to experience some swelling or tenderness around the treated areas, but after several days of rest, you will be able to return to most of your daily activities. However, you may need to refrain from wearing makeup in the treated areas or engaging in more strenuous tasks for another several days to weeks.
Your surgeon will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions that will help you manage any side effects and care for your incisions. They will also ask you to attend follow-up visits as you heal. This allows them to monitor your recovery and ensure your results develop as desired.
Results
You may notice improvements in your appearance immediately after your procedure, but you will enjoy the full, refined results of your awake facial procedure after swelling diminishes. You can see tighter and smoother-feeling skin, enhanced facial symmetry and balance, as well as improvements in definition—all without extensive downtime or the lingering effects associated with general anesthesia.
Cost of Awake Facial Procedures
The cost of your awake facial procedure may vary depending on the type of procedure you undergo, the extent of the corrections, your desired results, and more. As previously mentioned, awake procedures tend to be less costly than their general anesthesia counterparts. Your surgeon will provide an accurate price estimate for your procedure once they establish your surgical plan. We also offer financing options to make treatments more accessible; we would be happy to discuss these with you and guide you through the process.
To learn more about the cost of awake procedures, please contact us online or call (303) 792-5665.
FAQ
What is the difference between an awake facial procedure and a traditional facial procedure?
Awake facial procedures use only local anesthesia and sedation, while traditional facial procedures typically use general anesthesia. Our practice focuses on awake procedures to minimize your recovery time, as well as the negative side effects of general anesthesia.
Is it painful to stay awake during a facial procedure?
No. With just local anesthesia and mild sedation, your surgeon can effectively address each of your concerns, all while providing a comfortable patient experience. Patients often report feeling relaxed and at ease as they are able to communicate with their surgeon throughout the procedure.
Will my awake procedure be as effective as a traditional procedure?
Yes, the awake procedures our surgeons perform follow the same techniques and steps as their traditional counterparts. The only differences are the anesthesia type and your overall recovery time.
What facial procedures can I stay awake for?
Our surgical team can perform mini-facelifts, awake facelifts, facelifts, blepharoplasty, facial fat transfers, neck liposuction, and neck lifts without using general anesthesia. In some cases, our surgeons will recommend general anesthesia if a patient is undergoing a more extensive procedure.
Do awake facial procedures have any risks?
Awake facial procedures have some risks, including swelling, bruising, discomfort, and more. Serious complications are rare, especially because those associated with general anesthesia are often completely avoided. During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your procedure’s risks and how to effectively avoid them.
What is the recovery time for an awake facial procedure?
Recovery time is typically shorter compared to procedures performed under general anesthesia. Many patients return to light activities within a few days, with swelling and bruising continuing to improve over the following weeks. Your surgeon will provide personalized aftercare instructions and a recovery timeline based on your specific procedure.
References
- Smith G, D’Cruz JR, Rondeau B, Goldman J. General Anesthesia for Surgeons. PubMed. Published 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493199/#article-22125.s8
- Naik M, Honavar S, Das S, Desai S, Dhepe N. Blepharoplasty: An overview. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2009;2(1):6. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.53092
- Vasavada A, Raggio BS. Autologous Fat Grafting For Facial Rejuvenation. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557860/
