Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon · Newport Beach, CA
Anesthesia Care
At Zelken MD Plastic Surgery we have revolutionized the way anesthetic care is delivered to our patients. As a leader in the delivery of innovative medical care, we believe in the concept of the perioperative surgical home (POSH), where patients are followed by an anesthesiologist before, during, and long after surgery.
From the moment you step into our office, your care will be personally deliberated and planned by board-certified physicians and world-class nursing staff. Our staff anesthesiologist will oversee every aspect of your care from preoperative, to operative, to postoperative care — and even beyond.
Before Surgery
Pre-operatively, our staff anesthesiologist will assuage any and all concerns you may have about “going under.” We offer solutions to make wide-awake surgery and “twilight” anesthesia possible. More importantly, we will work to optimize your health and maximize the odds of an expeditious and uneventful recovery.
In the operating room, our staff anesthesiologists are known for “easy” take-offs and landings, minimizing the odds of postoperative nausea and vomiting. All providers are board-certified in anesthesia and will make sure you are comfortable and safe throughout the journey.
Our Standard
All staff anesthesiologists are board-certified MDs with a clean history and solid record. They are vetted to provide thoughtful, patient-centered, and evidence-based care in a compassionate and individualized manner.
Understanding Your Options
Also known as “anxiolysis.” This state is characterized by a patient who responds normally to verbal commands. Cognitive function and coordination can be impaired, but ventilation and cardiovascular function are not altered.
A state of depressed consciousness wherein the patient responds purposefully to verbal command, either alone or in association with mild tactile stimulation. No interventions are necessary to maintain a patent airway, and demonstrable spontaneous ventilation should be present. Cardiovascular function is usually unchanged.
This state of anesthesia is characterized by a patient who cannot be easily aroused, however they respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. Ventilation may be reduced or impaired and the patient may require assistance to maintain a patent airway. Spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate, while cardiovascular function is usually unchanged.
A state of consciousness wherein the patient is not able to be aroused, even with extremely painful stimuli. Ventilation is very often impaired and assistance is often required to maintain a patent airway. Positive pressure ventilation may be required due to depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function. Cardiovascular function may be impaired. This is the type of anesthesia most commonly provided within the operating room — making you completely unaware that surgery is taking place until you are safely awakened in the recovery room.
In Depth
Monitored anesthesia care is a specific service provided by an anesthesiologist for a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Indications for monitored anesthesia care can be related to one or all of the following:
Monitored anesthesia care involves the injection of medications through an IV catheter to help you relax, as well as to block pain. A combination of sedative and narcotic medications is used to help you tolerate a procedure that otherwise would be uncomfortable. In addition, the surgeon may inject a local anesthetic at the site of the procedure for pain control. With this type of anesthesia, you are able to respond to questions, but will be drowsy throughout the procedure and you may not recall it at all.
Monitored anesthesia care may include varying levels of sedation, analgesia, and anxiolysis as necessary. If your doctor is considering administering monitored anesthesia care, they must be prepared and qualified to convert to general anesthesia when necessary. If the patient loses consciousness and the ability to respond purposefully, the anesthetic care is considered a general anesthetic regardless of whether airway instrumentation is required.
Because we consider patient safety the most critical aspect of your care, at Zelken MD Plastic Surgery we have a board-certified MD anesthesiologist directly providing all of our anesthetic services.
Candidacy
Outpatient anesthesia is appropriate for many but not all patients. Dr. Zelken and our anesthesiologist will review your history in detail before making a recommendation.
Good Candidates
Not a Candidate
After Surgery
Postoperatively, a staff anesthesiologist may follow up with you. This is unique to our practice and ensures that any postoperative issues such as nausea or grogginess are addressed promptly and with expert care.
After a few weeks, you may opt for ongoing care with our wellness team. We specialize in weight loss, metabolism enhancement, and hormone replacement and optimization — and will give you the tools to maximize your results and help you meet whatever goals you set for your post-surgical course. This is particularly valuable for patients undergoing body contouring surgery and mommy makeovers.
Questions About Anesthesia?
Your comfort and safety come first. We’ll review your health history, answer every question, and build an anesthetic plan tailored to you and your procedure.