As recently as twenty years ago, the risks of anesthesia formed some of the most common dangers of undergoing surgery. Then, as many as one death in every 10,000 surgeries performed on otherwise healthy patients was the result of the anesthetic procedures used. Elective surgery for cosmetic purposes, which constitutes a large portion of the plastic surgery procedures going on at the current moment, was then less widespread largely due to the fear of anesthetic procedures, and not to the surgery itself.

Surgical techniques and procedures improved a lot due to the amazing strides made - strides concerned the field of plastic surgery as well. However, it wasn't until the 1970s and 80s when the costs of malpractice insurance for anesthesiologist in the US soared, so that increasing patient safety started becoming one of the key issues to secure the patients of when opting for plastic surgery.

The surgeons themselves developed new machines and instruments for administering anesthetics, and scientific experimentation resulted in safer and more effective drugs. Training and practice standards improved and intense monitoring during surgery became mandatory under the regulations established by national anesthesia organizations and medical facilities.

In this manner, the danger of anesthetic procedures was no longer a reasonable fear. Currently, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, no more than one in a quarter millions patients dies because of the anesthesia used during surgery. Plastic surgery procedures, which once could only take place in a hospital because of the after effects of the anesthetic procedures used, are now safe even if performed in an ambulatory surgical facility, medical clinic or doctor's office. The option may be for general, regional, or local anesthesia. In any of the cases, the modern plastic surgery patient has little or nothing to fear.

That's not to say that if you're a candidate for plastic surgery you should not show concern about and interest in learning all you can about your various anesthesia options.

San Francisco Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Scott W. Mosser states that one of the very first questions his patients frequently pose in preliminary consultations concerns the "pain factor". Dr. Mosser is a firm believer in arming his patients with all the facts necessary to help them reach informed decisions, whether it is about anesthesia, pain control drugs, equipment, procedures, risks or dangers. Elimination of pain during surgery and management of pain during recovery are both subjects of discussion during the consultation stage.

Bay Area patients who visit Dr. Mosser in his Union Square office in downtown San Francisco can expect a long list of questions they need to answer, too, in order to determine possible allergies or previous reactions to anesthetics. Such information is critical to deciding on the procedure and pain control options that will be safest and most comfortable for the procedure you have chosen.

Anybody contemplating surgery that requires anesthetic procedures should understand that there is always some degree of risk involved. Staying fully informed and knowing what to expect at every stage of the process goes a long way towards eliminating fear and worry.

A consultation with Dr. Mosser will arm you with all the facts you need in order to make an informed decision and, together with you, evaluate your personal options. This will offer you the guarantee of a successful outcome to realistic expectations.

An experienced Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Mosser performs a wide range of procedures at several locations in San Francisco. Scheduling plastic surgery procedures is possible at his office, at 450 Sutter Street on Union Square, as well as at the California Pacific Medical Center and St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco. The pain control aspect of plastic surgery procedures should no longer constitute a reason for fearing such interventions. With the improvements made in the field of anesthesia procedures, and in the hands of reliable surgeons, patients are now safer than ever.