More on general anesthesia vs. IV sedation
General anesthesia is very safe, and Dr. Starkman has used it for many years. He chooses IV sedation for several reasons:
- General anesthesia can dilate blood vessels and lead to more bleeding during surgery, which leads to more bruising/swelling and a longer recovery.
- IV sedation has a far quicker recovery period. General anesthesia can sometimes take over 24 hours to fully recover, while the recovery from IV sedation is almost immediate.
- General anesthesia typically requires a breathing tube and mechanical ventilation, while IV sedation allows patients to control their own breathing without the need for a tube.