Breast Implant Removal Q&A
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Breast Implant Removal Under Local Anesthesia?
asked 3 years ago by mary joe in paris tx
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 4,014 times
Tags: breasts, anesthesia
I just had implant removal and replacement with breast lift 7 days ago. My left breast is red swollen and tender. If it is infected and i need it removed, can it be done under a local? I do not want to undergo general again this soon.
14 answers to Breast Implant Removal Under Local Anesthesia?
+2
Breast implant removal under local is ideal for the patient who is not frightened
If implant removal does not frighten a patient, I do not see any reason to use general anesthesia.
A little sedation and little lidocaine would more than suffice the surgery, which should take less than 16 minutes per side.
+1
Infected implants
If you have an infected implant, local anesthetics will not work in an infected environment and you would probably need general.
+1
Infected implant removal under local anesthesia
Implant removal can easily be performed under local but the problem is that lacal anesthetics do not work well in INFECTED tissues. Furthermore I am confused if you are talking about implant replacement in an infected field which is highly controversial
Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Salvaging an infected breast implant
Immediate breast implant removal can be performed under local anesthesia if there is a contraindication to anesthesia. There are options for infected implant salvage with intravenous antibiotics that are worth discussing.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast implant removal under local anesthesia.
While it may be possible to remove the implant under local anesthesia, the main question is why is the implant being removed? (i.e.; infection, wound breakdown, etc) It all depends on what is being done. Most patients are more comfortable under sedation or general anesthesia.
Talk to your board certified plastic surgeon and discuss your treatment options, including anesthesia options.
Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1
An implant can be removed under local anesthesia.
If you have an infection, you situation is a bit complicated. Although removal of an implant is easy under local anesthesia, you might need a little more than just removal for treatment. Nevertheless, my guess is that you can have the implant removed and the infection treated with local anesthesia alone.
+1
Choice of anesthesia for implant removal
In great majority of patients that require simple breast implant removal, there is no need for general anesthesia. Local anesthesia with light sedation, too make the patient comfortable, can be readily used to achieve the desired results. Make sure your surgeon does not skimp on performing all the necessary steps during your surgery, just because you are having local anesthesia. In many patients at least partial capsule removal is needed, as well as placement of some...
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+1
Implant removal under local is possible, but not ideal.
In cases where breast implants need to be removed due to infection, it is possible to perform this operation using only local anesthesia. However, for maximum patient comfort it is probably best to perform this operation under sedation or general anesthesia. Further, if any breast tissue requires cleaning up (debridement) or if any capsule needs to be removed, it is much safer to be doing these under general anesthesia.
+1
Do not receive a breast implant removal under local anesthesia alone
For your comfort and safety is best advised to receive a breast implant removal either under sedation or general anesthesia. The majority of breast implants are placed underneath the muscle. When performing an implant removal, an incision is made at the previous site and the surgeon must dissect through tissue until they find the capsule, open the capsule and remove the implant. If they do not wish to save the implant and it is a saline implant this may be easily evacuated of fluid and...
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B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1
Local anesthesia? Maybe
In most cases like this, a local with sedation can work for breast implant removal. Straight local might hurt particularly if you have an infection.
Best Regards.
+1
Breast implant removal under local anesthesia
If your implant truly is infected, it needs to be removed and this could be done under local anesthesia, wash out the pocket with antibiotics and drain the pocket.
+1
This could be performed under local.
Yes, this procedure could be performed under local. You may want to inquire about having a small amount of narcotic (like demerol) as an injection along with some Valium to at least make you more comfortable. Much of this depends on both your and your plastic surgeon's comfort level and degree of infection present.
+1
Implant removal under local
Most probably can be done. However, it really also depends are how back the infection is. If there is severe enough infection where the capsule on the inside has to be cleaned out, removed or scraped then simple local anesthesia may not be an option because it would be too painful.
Sometimes it is difficult to tell what you will find in there and with general anesthesia you are not burning any bridges and can get a nice cleaning.
Hope that helps.
Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1
In general, yes
The problem is that your plastic surgeon will want to wash out the pocket a lot and place a drain too. This can be accomplished under local anestheia but if your plastic surgeon requests to do it under anesthesia, it is because they feel they can take better care of you that way.
Dr Edwards
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Michelle Spring, MD
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