General anaesthesia: A safe slumber for your beauty

It is essential for most major cosmetic surgeries, and for many patients it is the aspect of the procedure that causes the most concern: the General anaesthesia. The idea of relinquishing control over one’s own body is unsettling for many people. Yet modern anaesthesia is one of the safest medical procedures there is.

This Gloss article explains in detail exactly what general anaesthesia is, how it works and what measures are in place today to ensure your maximum safety.

What is general anaesthesia? Definition

General anaesthesia, technically known as General anaesthesia is a drug-induced, controlled and reversible state comprising three main components: hypnosis, analgesia and muscle relaxation.

These three pillars ensure that you are completely unaware of the operation, feel absolutely no pain and remain completely still throughout.

The process: your journey into sleep and back

General anaesthesia is a carefully planned process that takes place in stages.

1. Before anaesthesia: The pre-operative consultation Some time before the operation, you will have a detailed consultation with your anaesthetist. During this consultation, your state of health, any allergies, the medicines you are taking and your previous experiences of anaesthesia will be discussed. Please do not hesitate to raise any concerns or questions you may have! Based on this information, the anaesthetist will plan the safest anaesthetic for you. You will also be told when you must stop eating and drinking (fasting requirement), which is crucial to prevent the risk of stomach contents entering the lungs.
2. The introduction: Drifting off to sleep gently In the operating theatre, you will be connected to monitoring equipment (ECG, blood pressure, oxygen saturation). The anaesthetic induction agents, often propofol, will be administered via an intravenous line in your arm. These agents take effect very quickly, so you will usually lose consciousness within seconds. Only once you are in a deep sleep will further measures be taken, such as securing your airway using an endotracheal tube or a laryngeal mask.
3. During the operation: Continuous monitoring This is the most important stage for your safety. From the moment you fall asleep until the moment you are fully awake again, the anaesthetist will remain by your side. They continuously monitor all your vital signs – heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and body temperature – and adjust the depth of anaesthesia precisely to the requirements of the operation.
4. The Conclusion: Waking Up Safely Towards the end of the operation, the anaesthetist will reduce the anaesthetic. Your body will begin to metabolise the drugs, and you will wake up slowly and in a controlled manner. This process usually takes place whilst you are still in the operating theatre. As soon as your breathing is sufficiently spontaneous and deep, the airway devices (e.g. endotracheal tube or laryngeal mask) are removed. You will then be transferred to the recovery room, where you will continue to be looked after by specialist staff until your circulation is fully stable again.