Cosmetic therapies can be highly rewarding and help people to feel more confident in their skin. However, there’s no doubt that despite the excitement in anticipating a new look, many patients—especially those who are new to cosmetic surgery—can feel overwhelmed or anxious about the surgery itself, as well as having to go under anesthesia. The PRO-NOX™ Nitrous Oxide Delivery System is a newer, but already popular analgesia technique for adult and pediatric patients who plan to undergo surgical and even non-surgical procedures. Fine Arts Skin & Laser Facial Plastic Surgery, an Ohio-based cosmetic practice, provides patients with the option of using PRO-NOX™ for pain and anxiety management. The team also educates anyone interested in the system about how it works. 

Anesthesia is used in cosmetic treatments for the relief of discomfort and to improve patient safety. It induces temporary unconsciousness, immobility, and muscle relaxation. Analgesics, on the other hand, provide pain relief without the patient having to be put to sleep or interfering with sensory perception.  

Some patients are uneasy about the temporary loss of awareness and control caused by anesthesia. Adding to that, there is a growing fear that use of prescription opioids could result in an addiction. Learning more about the types of pain relief medication being offered by a given practice, as well as how they are being dispensed, can help to pre-procedural stress. Not all anesthesia, sedatives, and painkillers are the same, and different forms are used for different cosmetic treatments. For example, non-surgical therapies like BOTOX® may require only a topical anesthesia, while a major surgery, such as a tummy tuck, may call for general anesthesia.  

As patients prepare for plastic surgery, some of their major concerns (aside from specifics of the procedure, costs, recovery, and potential risks) are likely to be what kind of pain they can expect during recovery, and what types of anesthesia, analgesia, or sedatives will be provided for the procedure. In the case of general anesthesia, in particular, if this is what you and your physician have decided on, you’ll want to ensure that your anesthesiologist is fully qualified, experienced, and certified. 

During an initial consultation, the cosmetic surgeon can recommend the best pain management methods for each patient’s unique needs, factoring in the procedure or treatment, its extent, and other elements. Note that during this time, patients should also make their doctor aware of their overall medical history, any medications they are currently taking, and prior problems with anesthesia—if any. 

That said, as the risk of addiction associated with strong painkillers has become more well known, an increasing number of cosmetic practitioners are re-examining the use of opioids in pain management.  

PRO-NOX™ delivers a gas mixture consisting of 50 percent oxygen and 50 percent nitrous oxide, utilizing a pneumatically driven system. This advanced, non-opioid, patient-administered technique, which has traditionally been used for labor and delivery, allows cosmetic patients to have a high level of control and offers fast relief, working in just seconds. Patients can inhale the medication whenever they need to during the duration of their session. A growing number of hospitals, clinics, and private practices throughout the country are adopting this alternative to more traditional methods, and it has revolutionized the way cosmetic surgery is conducted, especially since PRO-NOX™ can be used for a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatments.  

While it is not a substitute for anesthesia, the advantages of PRO-NOX™ are numerous. The medication has a short duration, dissipating from the body within minutes after it is discontinued. This means patients can drive home or engage in other activities immediately after their procedure without the disoriented feeling, drowsiness, and slow reflexes that are associated with general anesthesia. It also has the benefit of reducing the need for post-operative pain medication, and the mixer device has been designed to reduce risk of infection.  

Curious about PRO-NOX™ and other types anesthesia used in plastic surgery? Get more answers by contacting Dr. David Hartman and the Fine Arts Skin & Laser team. Call 330-364-5656 or submit a short contact form.