“What is the difference between local anesthesia and general anesthesia?”

Local anesthesia is administered by the surgeon in the area. General anesthesia is administered by qualified personal trained in anesthesia. You are in a controlled coma and intubated in a machine (ventilator).

Local anesthesia involves the use of numbing medications like lidocaine to provide pain relief during the operation and afterwards as well. During the operation, you can either be awake or lightly sedated. A general anesthetic means that you will be completely asleep and unaware of your surgical experience. Both types of anesthesia can be done very safely and pleasantly, but the recovery time for the local anesthesia is usually much quicker. If you need to drive yourself home, the local anesthesia would be the preferred option.
I hope that helps.

General anesthesia means you go completely to sleep. Local anesthesia means numbing medication is applied at the surgical site and you might or might not be given some medication to help relax/forget.