47yo - Awake Breast Augmentation 450 Cc HP Saline - Frisco, TX

My b.a. is in 5 days. I have serious reservations about doing the Awake procedure. I have the option of doing "twilight" in addition to the tumescent anesthesia but am concerned about safety issues as well as spending additional $ that may be completely unnecessary. I've scoured the internet for information & it really seems like only plastic surgeons have negative comments. But they are VERY negative! Warning of terrible pain without general anesthesia. Especially if you are having it placed "under the muscle". Which I am! Is there anyone that can give an honest opinion or provide their experience so I can make a decision regarding additional anesthesia? BTW- I'm told that NONE of the prior patients have opted for additional pain relief. But...I can't ask them about their experience either. HELP!!

I left off a week ago with my intro & request for anyone to come forward with their Awake BA experience. I think I knew from the beginning I'd want to combine the tumescent anesthesia with twilight. I paid $750 additional for it & for me- it was the right choice. I truly believe the meds used for the tumescent anesthesia is preferable to general anesthesia. However, the only way to get the benefits of tumescent but not being awake was to add twilight. My surgery went fairly smoothly but I was told I had to be given something during surgery as my blood pressure got very high. I believe the surgery took longer than usual also. My I.V. was placed at 9:30 and I came out of it at 11:30. Initially I felt great but did feel something uncomfortable in the middle of my chest. I was wrapped in an ace bandage and sports bra over it. My husband and I went over instructions with the nurse and then I was put in a wheelchair to get to our car. After we got home my husband helped me with EVERYTHING as I soon realized I was basically completely incapacitated! The pain set in fairly quickly and soon escalated. I decided if this was a 1-10 scale- I'd describe mine as a 12. And I'm no lightweight to pain- I've given birth at home med free. In the next 24 hours I got physically ill at least 4x. Ice packs have been my salvation. Be sure to have at least two sets of these! One chilling while one is on you. I also bought instant ones to have near me at all times in case noone was around to get me a cold one. My husband has kept a log for meds which has been a lifesaver as we both get confused as to what I have or have not taken. I'm about to go to bed & expect this to be the easiest night thus far. I have slept nearly completely sitting up- lots of pillows to keep me propped- but it feels better to me so that is one Doctor's order I don't mind following. I haven't felt any nausea for several hours, pain is more discomfort at this point but the incision area is tender now. *Note how high the placement of the implants looks. I'm praying they drop and look normal over the next couple of weeks.*

It's too bad there's not a safe way to skip the first day and a half post-op. Because if there wasn't that period of time that you seriously feel like you've made a huge mistake- this would be a breeze! The difference is that drastic! I'm still sore/tender but need to remind myself to take it easy. I don't like being idle & mandatory downtime is torture for me! However, I do feel stinging from my sutures & since I don't want to mess around with that I've managed to control myself from launching into activity that's forbidden during the recovery period. I am taking my pain meds however, so that does factor into how I am able to feel so good so fast. Posting pics to show there's a physical change as well. **Pleased that my Doctor called me personally to check in on my recovery**