What to Know About Anesthesia Abroad
Facts you need to know about anaesthesia
Plastic surgery abroad is both an attractive and exciting decision. The most common concerns of patients are specifically related to anaesthesia. What methods of anaesthesia are available? How do they work? Which one would be optimal in my case? Is my health safety adequately protected? We will answer all these questions and try to help you feel more confident before your surgery in Thailand.
Existing types of modern anaesthesia
Depending on type of your surgery and individual health status, your surgeon and anesthesiologist will recommend you one of the most suitable option:
General anesthesia – you will be fully asleep and pain-free throughout the surgery. This option is preferable for more complex surgeries such as tummy tuck, breast augmentation, circular or SMAS-facelift etc.
Sedation (“twilight sleep”) – you remain relaxed and fall into a shallow sleep, often with little memory of the surgery. This is relevant for shorter or less invasive procedures like blepharoplasty. Sometimes this type of anaesthesia can even be used for rhinoplasty of a nasal tip (tip-plasty or mini nose job), if correction of bony structure isn’t contemplated.
Local anesthesia with or without sedation – in this case, only the correction area is anaesthetised. You stay awake but comfortable and relaxed, which is often used for minor surgeries or facial treatments.
Your safety during plastic surgery
All surgeries are performed with a qualified and experienced anesthesiologist present. Doctor carefully monitors your heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure during the entire procedure.
Clinics in Thailand that cater to international patients follow strict hospital-grade safety standards, so you can feel reassured about your well-being.
Potential side effects
It’s normal to experience mild side effects after anesthesia, especially general one, such as drowsiness, nausea, sore throat, or temporary confusion. These usually pass within a few hours. Your care team will guide you through recovery and provide medication if needed.
How should you prepare for anaesthesia?
Preparation for anaesthesia depends on its type. “Twilight sleep” and local anaesthesia usually require little preparation. However, this is discussed individually with your doctor.
Standard rules to ensure the safest outcome:
Follow fasting instructions before surgery (no food or drink for several hours or night before);
Inform your doctor about any allergies, current medical treatments, or chronic diseases;
Stop smoking and avoid any alcohol in the days leading up to surgery;
If you take weight-loss injections (such as Ozempic or Wegovy), let your doctor know, as they may need to be paused before anesthesia.
Recovery After Anesthesia
Most patients rest in a recovery room for a few hours while the anesthesia wears off. For general anesthesia, you may feel tired for the rest of the day, that’s why driving and other activities requiring high concentration may be restricted.
Sedation and local anesthesia allow for a quicker recovery. Staying hydrated and following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions and tips will help your body flush out the medication and speed up healing.
In summary: anaesthesia is safe, carefully monitored, and tailored to your procedure. By choosing a reputable clinic in Thailand, you can feel confident that your surgery will be performed with the same level of safety, quality and professionalism you would expect in Australia — while enjoying the comfort and care of a medical holiday abroad.
