Anesthesiology

Anaesthetix is a group of highly motivated physicians and certified nurse anesthetists prepared to make your Louisville plastic surgery at Calobrace Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Breast Center a safe and comfortable experience.

All of the Anesthetix physicians are either board-certified or board-eligible anesthesiologists. Drs. Richard Cohen, Todd House and Chris Gabr have been collectively working in outpatient surgery centers for over 36 years. This makes them uniquely qualified to provide a safe effective anesthetic during your procedure.

Dr. Richard Cohen, the founder of the group has been practicing in Louisville throughout his career. As Medical Director and Director of Anesthesia at Dupont Surgery Center, Dr. Cohen's vast experience leads our group in a forward thinking direction. He graduated from U of L School of Medicine and completed his residency at University of Louisville Affiliated Hospitals.

Dr. Todd House also graduated from U of L School of Medicine and completed his residency at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Dr. House spent his early career in hospital settings and as a Flight Surgeon; first for the US Navy and then for the US Air Force. For the past eight years he has been working with Dr. Cohen, specializing in outpatient anesthesia care for both adults and children. He has been working with Dr. Calobrace for the past six years. In addition to providing excellent medical care, Todd is an entrepreneur, founding YourJet, LLC, a regional air taxi service. As CEO of YourJet, he is actively involved as a pilot of single and multi-engine airplanes.

Dr. Chris Gabr, the newest member of the group graduated from U of L School of Medicine and completed residency at University of Louisville Affiliated Hospitals. As a busy mother of four she chose outpatient anesthesia from the start of her career. She has been working with Drs. Calobrace and Mizuguchi for the past two years.

Our anesthesia services are complimented by our team of excellent certified nurse anesthetists. Mary Wenke, CRNA, Claudia Hernandez, CRNA and Michael Scroggins, CRNA have been providing care for Drs. Calobrace and Mizuguchi's patients for many years.

Anaesthetix is here at Calobrace Plastic Surgery Center to provide anesthesia care using the newest and most advanced techniques. We are also readily available for consultation with cosmetic patients preoperatively and to assist in managing care postoperatively.

We invite all prospective cosmetic plastic surgery patients in the Lexington and Louisville, KY area to contact us to schedule a private, confidential consultation. An Anaesthetix team member can be reached at 502.899.9979.

Information about Anesthesia

The same anesthetic techniques used in hospitals are used here to ensure your safety and comfort. There are basically three choices of anesthesia:

1. General anesthesia. Most patients are familiar with "going to sleep." This anesthetic involves a combination of medicines administered by your anesthesiologist to cause total loss of consciousness and pain sensation. These medicines may be through the IV or through a breathing tube. Your anesthesiologist will closely monitor all your vital systems throughout the procedure and look after you in recovery.
2. Monitored anesthesia care. Sometimes called MAC, this anesthetic also involves medications through an IV administered by your anesthesiologist to make you drowsy while your surgeon administers a numbing shot. Patients have often called these anesthesia medications "I don't care medicine." You will be monitored during and after surgery by your anesthesiologist.
3. Local anesthesia. Much like going to the dentist, your surgeon will administer a numbing shot so you cannot feel the surgery. An anesthesiologist will not be involved in your care. Unless you have taken pills before surgery that your surgeon has prescribed (pain pills, anti-anxiety pills), you may drive yourself home afterward.

Patients having surgery in our office will be asked to follow precautions similar to those in a hospital. For example, you will be instructed about not eating or drinking before surgery and the necessity of having a responsible adult with you overnight after surgery. We will ask you to discontinue the use of diet pills and some herbal supplements before any surgery. Lastly, we will want to know your health history in detail, including medicines you take and allergies to drugs or latex.

For most operations you will meet an anesthesiologist on the day of your surgery. Your anesthesiologist will review your health history and examine you before surgery. However, if you have questions or would like to discuss the anesthetic further, we will be happy to arrange a consultation with an Anaesthetix team member.

We are glad you have chosen Calobrace Plastic Surgery Center, and we will do everything possible to ensure your safety and comfort.