Is a Facelift in Korea Done Under General Anesthesia or Sedation?

Short answer: Both. Korean clinic guides say facelifts are done under IV sedation (수면마취) or general anesthesia (전신마취), and the full facelift takes about 3 to 4 hours. What matters more than the label is who's watching you: ask whether a board-certified anesthesiologist (마취통증의학과 전문의) is in the room for the whole operation.

North American patients usually ask this as "will I be asleep?" You will be, either way. The real difference is in your airway and in who manages the drugs.

What's the difference between sedation and general anesthesia for a facelift?

Under sedation you breathe on your own and sleep deeply. Under general anesthesia you're fully unconscious and a tube secures your airway.

Korean medical Q&A sites put it plainly: sedation lowers consciousness and keeps spontaneous breathing, with oxygen levels monitored, while general anesthesia usually means intubation (기관내삽관) and a machine helping you breathe. Sedation wears off faster.

For the hours a facelift takes, both are used. Gangnam Unni's facelift guide lists either one, and clinics differ in which they default to.

Who gives the anesthesia in a Korean clinic?

It depends on the type. A Seoul plastic surgeon who writes a column for the Korean health site Kormedi explained in 2023 that local and sedation anesthesia are often given by the operating surgeon, while general anesthesia is given by an anesthesiologist who keeps checking your condition throughout. He argued general anesthesia is the safer choice for larger operations like facelifts, for exactly that reason.

Not every surgeon agrees on that, and patients with certain health conditions are steered one way or the other. The question to ask is the same either way: is there a separate doctor whose only job is your anesthesia?

A November 2025 Sports Kyunghyang article quoting a hospital plastic surgeon said the same thing in different words. Because a lift is done under sedation or general anesthesia, check that an anesthesiologist is on staff to give the drugs and watch vital signs.

Why do Korean patients ask about CCTV?

Because of a law that grew out of a cosmetic surgery death. After a 2016 case in which a patient died during facial surgery, Korea amended its Medical Service Act in 2021. Since September 25, 2023, clinics that operate under general anesthesia must have CCTV in the operating room, and must film if the patient or guardian asks.

The take-up is low. An October 2026 MTN report, using health ministry data released by a National Assembly member, found 5.09 million surgeries on unconscious patients between September 2023 and June 2026. Only 3.81% were filmed. Almost every request was honored (99.6%), but clinics aren't required to tell each patient they can ask.

So ask. It's your right under Korean law, and a clinic's reaction tells you something. More on why this matters in how to verify a Korean plastic surgeon.

What should you ask about anesthesia before booking?

• Is it sedation or general, and why for my case?
• Will an anesthesiologist be present from start to finish, or only at the start?
• Is anesthesia included in the quote? On Gangnam Unni, some listings mark the anesthesia fee as separate.
• Can I request CCTV recording?
• How long will I be in recovery before I leave, and do I stay overnight? See overnight stay or same day.

Mention every medication and supplement you take. Some are stopped days before surgery, which we cover in supplements and blood thinners before a facelift.

How we help

• Free, itemized quotes from 2 to 3 specialist clinics, with the anesthesia type and fee shown on each.
• An interpreter in the consultation room for the anesthesia questions above, including the CCTV request.
• Airport pickup and scheduling, so pre-op tests happen before surgery day.

Ask for free quotes from the form below.

Frequently asked questions

Are facelifts in Korea done under general anesthesia?

Some are. Korean clinics use either general anesthesia or IV sedation for facelifts, depending on the surgeon and the patient.

Who gives sedation in a Korean plastic surgery clinic?

Often the operating surgeon. General anesthesia is given by an anesthesiologist. Ask whether a separate anesthesiologist will be present for your operation.

Can I ask for my surgery to be filmed in Korea?

Yes. Since September 25, 2023, operating rooms where patients are put under general anesthesia must have CCTV and must film when the patient or guardian requests it.

How long does a facelift take under anesthesia?

Gangnam Unni's guide gives about 3 to 4 hours, longer if the neck is included.