‹ BACK TO ALL POSTS
March 26, 2025
What is Awake Surgery?
Have you seen the term “awake surgery” popping up in your feed? It’s catching attention, but what does it actually mean?
To get the answers, we turned to Arthur Turko, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon at Plastic + Hand Surgical Associates in Portland, Maine. Here’s what he shared.
How does awake surgery work?
“Awake surgery is when a plastic surgeon performs most of the procedure using local anesthesia and numbing medication,” explains Dr. Turko.
Unlike general anesthesia, where a patient is unconscious, local anesthesia allows patients to stay awake—relaxed and sedated.
“The patient lies on the operating table while we take precise measurements,” says Dr. Turko. “Then we inject numbing medication—it feels a bit like a mosquito bite. Once we start the procedure, we make sure the patient stays comfortable the entire time.”
Awake surgery is a great option for specific procedures.
While many surgeries, including hand surgeries, can be performed under local anesthesia, most cosmetic procedures still require general anesthesia. That said, there are some cases where awake surgery is the right fit.
“One of the best examples is blepharoplasty,” says Dr. Turko. “This is when we remove excess skin on the upper or lower eyelids to create a more refreshed, open-eye, or youthful look.”
This procedure mainly involves removing skin, which surgeons can safely do with numbing medicine.
“In this case, awake surgery might be the best option we choose together,” says Dr. Turko. “It eliminates the need for recovery from general anesthesia, and most patients describe it as a great experience.”
Many procedures, however, still require general anesthesia.
“In fact, most plastic surgery procedures—like rhinoplasty, tummy tucks, facelifts, or breast surgeries—are done under general anesthesia,” says Dr. Turko. “This ensures both the patient’s comfort and safety.”
When it comes to more significant cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, we perform them at our onsite, accredited Plastic + Hand Surgery Center with board-certified anesthesiologists.
“Under general anesthesia, we can perfect the contours, get the scars right, and achieve the aesthetic goals patients are looking for—all while keeping the experience as comfortable as possible,” adds Dr. Turko.
Your safety should always come first.
General anesthesia comes at a cost—and for good reason. It requires board-certified anesthesiologists and specialized equipment to make sure your surgery is as safe and comfortable as possible.
You might come across places advertising more extensive cosmetic procedures as awake surgeries to cut costs. But saving a few bucks isn’t worth the risk.
“This is absolutely not what you want for your plastic surgery,” says Dr. Turko. “Trying to perform larger procedures under local anesthesia isn’t just uncomfortable—it also compromises your experience and the quality of the results. When it comes to plastic surgery, trusting an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is the best investment you can make.”
Do you have questions about cosmetic surgery?
If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, our Plastic + Hand team is the most trusted Maine plastic surgery team.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons bring extensive training and experience to even the most complex cosmetic procedures, including rhinoplasty, tummy tucks, facelifts, neck lifts, breast surgeries, liposuction and body contouring.
We’re committed to providing the results you seek with the respect and compassion you deserve. The first step begins here. Call us at 207-775-3446 or submit this request form to schedule your consultation with our Patient Care Coordinator to get started.
