What Makes Awake Plastic Surgery Different?
Dr. Kim’s awake plastic surgery maintains a patient’s natural physiology (body function) during surgery. General anesthesia induces unconsciousness with medications that “put you to sleep” but unlike natural sleep, your brain and body are unable to respond or react to any physical or verbal stimuli and you are unable to breathe on your own and must be intubated. Dr. Kim uses local anesthesia to effectively numb the surgical area, so you continue to breathe on your own and remain fully awake and engaged during your procedure. This approach significantly reduces the risks associated with general anesthesia, including nausea, grogginess, and complications from being fully unconscious. During the awake surgery, you remain alert and responsive, allowing for real-time feedback and precise adjustments.
What truly sets awake cosmetic surgery in Beverly Hills apart is the emphasis on patient safety and surgical precision. Because you are awake, Dr. Kim can ask you to make small facial expressions or body movements during the procedure, helping him sculpt and adjust in real time. This level of feedback is not possible with traditional surgery under general anesthesia or IV sedation. The result is a more customized outcome—one that better reflects your goals and personal anatomy.
Dr. Kim’s awake surgery also avoids the many risks and complications associated with general anesthesia and IV (intravenous) sedation. General anesthesia risks include blood clots, heart attack, stroke, grogginess, nausea, brain fog, and prolonged recovery. General anesthesia and IV sedation also carry risks of cognitive decline (memory loss) and an increased chance of dementia, which are not linked to local anesthesia.
Dr. Kim’s awake approach is rooted in patient safety and long-term well-being. With over 19 years of experience in awake plastic surgery, he has dedicated his career to advancing techniques that increase patient safety, minimize risk, support faster and better recovery, and produce natural, longer-lasting results. Dr. Kim also earned a Master of Science from Harvard Medical School, where he studied the cognitive effects (cognitive decline) of general anesthesia. His knowledge, research, and daily practice of awake plastic surgery distinguish his work and approach to patient care and surgical quality.
Dr. Kim’s expertise in awake techniques allows him to perform procedures such as upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty, eyelid ptosis surgery, brow lift), lower blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, midface lift, facelift, neck lift, breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), liposuction, arm lift (brachioplasty), and more with accuracy and finesse.
