Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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Are There Benefits to Twilight Anesthesia for a Breast Augmentation?

Are there benefits to twilight anesthesia for a breast augmentation? Are there reasons to avoid this type of anesthesia for breast augmentation? Thank you.

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sedation twilight sedation

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15 Doctor Answers | Asked by bravenewgirl in new mexico

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Anesthesia

Most plastic surgical procedures can be done under either full general anesthesia or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, what some people refer to as "twilight sleep.". Often it is a matter of personal preference of the surgeon, patient, or anesthesiologist. I find that in breast augmentation surgery is easier to perform under general anesthesia, particularly if the implant is being placed under the muscle. Under sedation, even with ample local anesthesia, the patient... more

Anesthesia options

Patients may have a quicker "wake up" and less nausea after deep IV sedation and local anesthetic. I prefer general anesthesia for breast augmentation because I know the patient won't feel a thing and the surgery will not be compromised by the patient tightening up or moving. If you opt for sedation and local, make sure your surgeon has an anesthesiologist or CRNA in attendance to monitor you and your airway. And make sure you surgeon is operating in a certified... more

Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation?

Thank you for the question. There are many different types of acceptable techniques of anesthesia that can be used for the breast augmentation procedure. As long as the plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist involved are “expert” at the technique selected, patients generally do very well. My advice to patients is: concentrate on hoosing your plastic surgeon carefully. concentrate on appropriate training, certification, and the ability of the plastic... more

IV sedation anesthesia ("twilight anesthesia) for breast augmentation

If you are referring to IV sedation anesthesia as "twilight anesthesia, then yes, this is a safe option for breast augmentation. But every plastic surgeon has his/her preferences. And quite frankly there is no right or wrong answer here. I do prefer IV sedation anesthesia performed by my anesthesiologist because my patients recovery so quickly without all that potential nausea. Regardless of the anesthesia technique, please make sure you choose a... more

Risks and Benefits

There are benefits to EVERYTHING we do and offer in the field of plastic surgery. However, there are also risks to EVERYTHING we do and offer in the field of plastic surgery. You should have a discussion with your plastic surgeon or his/her anesthesiologist about the risks and benefits of both sedation and general anesthesia. That might help with your decision. Good luck! see video

"Twilight anesthesia" vs. General anesthesia for breast augmentation.

For the first 4 years in private practice I performed all my breast augmentations under so-called "twilight anesthesia," which usually refers to some sort of local anesthetic with monitored IV sedation. Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is another less-glamorous description. Of course, the term "twilight" is used to invoke pleasant mental images of Snow White or perhaps Juliet before the final act, comfortably resting while unaware of anything unpleasant. And none of that... more

Breast augmentation

Twilight anesthesia is reasonable to use for breast augmentation. There are several types of anesthesia that are just as successful for breast augmentation.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Sedation for breast augmentation vs. general anesthesia (video)

Having a lot of experience with both types of anesthesia, I prefer IV sedation over general anesthisia for breast augmentation. For the first few years of practice I used general anestheisia exclusively. A colleague turned me on the the idea of sedation and I would never go back! I have seen significant improvement in patient recovery with this type of anesthesia. Most patients are very comforted to know that a breathing tube is not necessary and that they will... more

General anesthesia vs Sedation (twilight) anesthesia

I recommend general anesthesia for breast augmentation. The biggest benefit to twilight ansethesia seems to be the more rapid recover from the anesthetic ( hours vs. one day). It is difficult to prove an advantage in terms of safety between the two. The other benefit may be lower cost. Like many others who have answered this question here in the past, I prefer general anesthesia for my patients because it allows me to do a better job. Under sedation or twilight... more

I do not recommend twilight anesthesia for breast reduction

Although twilight anesthesia can be used for augments over the muscle (which most patients do not opt to have for reasons discussed elsewhere on the forum), when the implants are placed under the muscle, general anesthesia is needed because local with IV sedation will not give the pain-free experience that makes the operation tolerable for the patient and safe in terms of surgical control. General anesthesia, in the hands of a board certified anesthesiologist, is very safe and patients... more

Twilight can be a good choice for Breast Augmentation

Twilight anesthesia can be used for breast augmentation, particularly when performing a breast enlargement over the muscle. I feel it is best to at least have some level of general anesthesia when placing the implants under the muscle (Most breast implants are/should be placed under the muscle). This is best for patient comfort as well as precision of placement. Certainly properly administered twilight anesthesia can still be used for submuscular implant placement if the patient is... more

Ideal anesthesia for breast augmentation

There are typically three categories of anesthesia used for breast augmentation. 1. Conscious sedation: This is similar to a colonscopy anesthetic using medications through your intravenous line including versed and fentanyl. These are typically given by the surgeon without the aid of an anesthesiologist. 2. Sedation/MAC: This is a deeper anesthetic administered through your intravenous line. This is given by a board certified anesthesiologist or nurse... more

Twilight anesthesia breast augmentation

Twilight anesthesia for a breast augmentation only works for sub-glandular implant placement, if at all. Since most implants are placed under the muscle, general anesthesia is the standard of care as it provides more comfort for the patient and more control for the surgeon. Hope this helps!

Marcel Daniels, MD

11 reviews

Long Beach Plastic Surgeon

Twilight anesthesia for augmentation

Any time general anesthesia can be avoided, the associated risks and prolonged recovery from it can be avoided as well. This assumes that the "twilight" anesthesia affords comfort throughout the procedure, as well as amnesia. Some people find this appropriate for them, while others prefer the deeper sleep of a general.

Breast augmentation anesthesia

The best anesthesia for a breast augmentation in my opinion is general done by an M.D. anesthesiologist. The general anesthesia assures that you will feel nothing and will stay perfectly positioned on the OR table without squirming. That way, the table can be sat up at the end to check the exact position of the implants. You will have no bad memories. Also, there is no residual of the modern GA the next day as the meds are very short lived. In addition, to do a... more