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Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation

asked 3 years ago by LeeM in Columbus, OH, US
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 3,508 times

I am considering Breast Augmentation and I've noticed that some surgeons use twilight anesthesia while others use general anesthesia. What are the benefits of one type over the other in Breast Augmentation surgery?

16 answers to Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation

+2

It is better to have more MDs looking out for you

When I am doing surgery, I like to concentrate on the surgery, and the result that I am trying to achieve. I do not like to be distracted by anything else (such as my patient's vital functions--breathing, circulation--and comfort with pain control). It is not that I could not manage those issues, but to do so would require that I split my concentration from the main reason that brought us to the operating room. As such, I like to use a board certified anesthesiologist to assure my... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+2

Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation

Thanks for the question Anesthesia can be performed in a number of ways and in combinations. Most plastic surgeons will perform the procedure under general anesthesia. This allows for maximum protection of your airway and provides maximum comfort of the patient allowing your surgeon to shape things perfectly. In our San Francisco office we typically do this procedure with general anesthesia but augment it with local anesthesia including pain pumps when appropriate. This allows our... more
Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.trivalleyplasticsurgery.com

+1

Anesthesia and Breast Surgery

Thank you for your question. I prefer General Anesthesia given by a board certified plastic surgeon. I perform my surgeries in an out patient surgery center, and under general anesthesia only. I use Board Certified Anesthesiologists who monitor my patients from start to end so as to provide the safest environment for my patients. I would recommend general anesthesia for breast surgery so that you are as comfortable as possible during the procedure. I would... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Anesthesia Options For Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation can safely be performed with general anesthesia or IV sedation with local.  Either way, I recommend your anesthesia be performed by an anesthesiologist.   In addition, I recommend you have your procedure done in a fully accredited hospital or ambulatory surgical facility.  Accreditation, for example from AAAASF, means that the facility must meet certain standards to ensure your safety.  Talk to your board certified plastic surgeon to see what... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

General anesthesia better for breast augmentation.

I always use general anesthesia for breast augmentation.  You should really be asleep for the procedre for your comfort and also so the surgeon can work more efficiently.  You are also sat up to make sure the implants are even.  Being asleep is better.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia during breast augmentation

During breast augmentation, I prefer to use general anesthesia.  Patients are kept comfortable, and entirely relaxed during the procedure.   Because patients are typically healthy, there is no added risk to having patients completely asleep with a general anesthetic. 
Kelly Gallego, MD

Sioux City Plastic Surgeon
+1

General anesthesia is preferable

Although breast augmentation can be done with local/twilight anesthesia, most plastic surgeons I know prefer general anesthesia.  I use board certified anesthesiologists.  I think having an anesthesiologist increases the safety of the procedure.  The anesthesia doctor concentrates on your airway and vital functions allowing me to concentrate on the surgical procedure.  In addition, we can relax your muscles during a general anesthetic allowing me to adjust the implant... more
James H. Schmidt, MD

Sarasota Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation

Hello, For primary breast augmentation, I ask the anesthesiologist to provide general anesthesia with airway control, usually a LMA tube. This permits me to focus on optimizing the operation, content that the patient is safely ventilated. Sometimes in revisional implant surgery with an already-established pocket, and consequently much less dissection needed, local anesthesia with / without IV or oral sedation works just fine.  The most important factors are safety and... more
Dan Downey, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation

It really doesn't matter whether you use general anesthesia or sedation. The most important thing is that you have a experienced board certified anesthesiologist providing the anesthesia. 
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesiologist very important in breast augmentation.

HI. In New York City, we use light general anesthesia for breast implants.  But twilight anesthesia is fine also.  What's really important is that you have a board certified anesthesiologist.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for breast augmentation is a matter of opinion

Hello, I prefer a short general for a number of reasons: (1) I use only MD anesthesiologists in a certified surgery center. They are very good at keeping the doses small. Nausea is a very infrequent problem. (2) The patients are the most comfortable and it is safe. Doing the surgery under sedation is possible, but I prefer "under the muscle" implant placement which is harder under less than a general.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sedation Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation

Since I own my own surgicenter, I have a complete control over who my anesthesiologist is. I use exclusively MD anesthesiologists. Incredibly enough, it is hard to find an MD anesthesiologist who is proficient at Sedation anesthesia. I myself had to learn how to use local anesthetics in an efficient and comprehensive way so as to minimize the amount of sedation given. A good team proficient in the technique will give you: 1)-Great analgesia during surgery- you will not feel anything 2)... more
Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

There are advantages/ and disadvantages of both

I was trained to do breast augmentation using exclusively general anesthesia. For six years of residency and first year out this was my routine. I had heard of colleagues doing breast augmentation under sedation and my initial thought was, why? Having spent five years since that time doing breast augmentations with deep sedation and excellent local anesthesia I have found a number of advantages and sedation is now my preferred method. A little background regarding how I prefer to do this... more
York Jay Yates, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

General anesthesia with an Anesthesiologist (a real doctor) is best

A general anesthesia with an LMA airway is best because the patient doesn't suffer any pain, has no memory of the experience, and this allows the surgeon to fully concentrate on the procedure. Remember that an Anesthesiologist is not the same as an Anesthetist. The former is a Board Certified doctor and the latter is a nurse who does anesthesia. The strongest certifying board for plastic surgery offices (AAAASF) requires the use of an Anesthesiologist (MD).
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ultimately, the type of anesthesia is determined by physician and patient preference.

Most plastic surgeons who perform breast augmentation, do the operation under general anesthesia for the vast majority of patients. There are, however, plastic surgeons who will perform breast augmentation under IV sedation, or even under local anesthesia alone. The choice of anesthesia is ultimately decided upon according to the preferences of the patient and plastic surgeon. I prefer to do this operation under general anesthesia for the following reasons: 1) The patient's airway is... more
James C. Grotting, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

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