Nervous About Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation?

I have already answered this concern in another question your asked, but you obviously are concerned about anesthesia, as are many patients.

As a plastic surgeon who performs totally-elective cosmetic operations for my patients, I am acutely aware that what I do for my patients falls in the "want-to" rather than the "have-to" category, so the anesthesia and the operation BOTH need to be as safe and predictable as possible. In our nationally-accredited (AAAASF) on-site surgical facility we have offered fulll anesthesia services for over two decades, and we have performed over 16,000 operations with no deaths, heart attacks, or strokes. So we're good, and safe, and not perfect--we have to be thorough, and safe, and careful EVERY time. EVERY patient. That is true for the vast majority of ABPS-certified plastic surgeons who operate in their own nationally-accredited facilities, or at similarly-accredited hospitals or surgicenters.

I believe you should check out your anesthesia provider as well as your surgeon--make sure you have a Board-certified MD anesthesiologist or a fully-accredited CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) with experience in office-based outpatient plastic surgical procedures.

I also believe that TIVA is superior to hospital-type inhalation anesthesia, which is why this is the preferred anesthetic regimen in our facility. For more information on this, click on the web reference link below. 

I also believe that having your anesthesia provider actually stay in the operating room during your procedure (not "supervising" from another room like the doctor's lounge) is critical to you having the best and safest anesthesia experience. Often, hospital-based plastic surgeons will often have MDAs who leave the OR during the case and "supervise" the CRNA or Anesthesia Aide who is actually doing your anesthesia. After all, you are young and your surgery is elective, so they "justify" being present in another OR where the patient is sicker, older, or more at-risk. Or that being "available in the doctor's lounge" is OK. Ask your anesthesia provider if they will be present in your operating room for the ENTIRE CASE. Ask if they are "covering" more than one case at the time your surgery is going on.

I tell you this not to add to your worries, but to ensure that you have all the information needed to make your own anesthetic as safe as humanly possible, which is indeed less risky than your automobile ride to the facility! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Thank you for your question. Both types of anesthesia can provide a safe and comfortable platform for breast augmentation surgery. It is more important that you feel comfortable with your surgeon and the surgical plan as this is ultimately what you will be remembering after the procedure.

Ok...well the truth about anesthesia is that it is extremely safe, if you do it correctly. It is advised to have your surgery done in a surgery center with a board-certified anesthesiologist. Ask a lot of questions and make sure you trust your doctor and good luck.

Hi! Thank you for your question,

I am Dr. Speron, a proud member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).  I am also certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Being skeptical about anesthesia is very common among patients. Anesthesia today is actually safer than it has ever been before. There are risks to anesthesia, but it is very rare. As long as you are healthy and follow the proper instructions that the surgeon and anesthesiologist has advised to you, then you have nothing to worry about. Also, make sure your anesthesiologist is board certified.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to call us at 847.696.9900.

Best of luck and have a great day!

Regards,

Dr. Speron

Thanks for your question. Of course you are nervous about having anesthesia. That is absolutely normal. Truthfully it is safer for a healthy person to have general anesthesia than it is to drive to their consult. Make sure you have a board certified anesthesiologist and that your surgery is being done at an accredited facility. Best of Luck!

General anesthesia is very safe and effective.  However, so is Twilight or IV sedation with Local anesthesia.  We offer both types of anesthesia for our Breast Augmentation patients.  I do find that the patients having Twilight recover faster and leave the office in a shorter amount of time than those having general anesthesia.  If you are not comfortable with your surgeon, then I suggest that you have a few consultations.  However, it is not out of the standard of care to use general anesthesia.

 

Good Luck.

There are increasing numbers of breast augmentations being performed under Local Anaesthesia with or without intravenous sedation. Equally, general anaesthesia is safe as long as you do not have significant co-morbidity (that is other health issues). Your surgeon and aneasthetist will discuss the best options with you.

I think your fears about a general anesthetic are way over the top. The risk of being injured in a car wreck driving to the facility greatly outweighs the problem with a general anesthetic. The general anesthetic will significantly shorten the operating time versus a local.

Most board certified plastic surgeons will use general anesthesia for breast augmentation. Even a deep sedation is really considered general anesthesia. Using only local anesthesia has significant risks such a toxicity - which can be fatal. As long as you are healthy and your surgeon uses a board certified anesthesiologist in an accredited hospital or surgical center, your risk should be minimal. 

I understand your concerns being a wife and mother as well.  I typically use general anesthesia for my breast augmentation patients.  It is a relatively short procedure, under 6 hours and if you are healthy, it's very rare to have any complications.  Make sure you disclose all of your health issues with your surgeon and board certified anesthesiologist and make sure your surgery is performed at an accredited surgery center.  General anesthesia is safe, you are more likely to get into a car accident on the way to surgery than have a complication with anesthesia.  ac