Breast Augmentation with Local Anesthesia? (Photo)

Hi-For the right candidate breast augmentation under local anesthesia can be performed. Especially if the implants are to be placed above the muscle. In our clinic we perform an intercostal nerve block and inject tumescent anesthesia fluid to the area to be elevated. This allows us to keep the patient comfortable during the breast augmentation procedure.

There are surgeons that will do local only breast augmentation, but they are the minority. Reasons for anesthesia are patient comfort, and surgical safety. Though breast augmentation may seem minor, there is a lot of tissue manipulation, cauterization of blood vessels, and stretching of the overlying breast tissues. These are all things you don’t want to be awake for. General anesthesia for these cases have a very low risk of after effects, and I strongly recommend reconsidering a local only case.

Some do, keep looking. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Thanks for your question! I would strongly advise against doing this with anything other than general anesthesia. I might suggest doing some more research. General anesthesia for a young, healthy patient is actually very safe. Best of luck!

This is not a common request, but it is possible to do. It does limit the kind of breast augmentation that can be performed, and in the end may not provide the best possible result. In most patients I prefer to perform a dual-plane breast augmentation, where part of the implant is placed under the muscle. It is not possible to do this without general anesthesia. It sounds like you aren't interested in this however, and want a sub-glandular breast augmentation. This can be performed with light sedation.

A sub-glandular approach has a higher risk of capsular contracture, and the upper portion of the implant may have more of a fake look. It would be more expensive than performing the surgery under full general anesthesia, as it would take longer to perform.

This is something I would be willing to do. We are located in Winnipeg. If you call the clinic they can help you to arrange a video consultation.

Dear samii699,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, surgeons don't prefer local anesthesia for BA surgery. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Yes , with appropriate local anesthesia only y the local injections and not the surgery will be painful. The implants can be placed over or under the muscle. The level of sedation is up to you. The procedure Woukd be performed in an accredited surgicenter with an anesthesiologist monitoring you. It is true that achieving effective local anesthesia is a learned skill just like surgery and most surgeons don’t do breast augmentation in this manner.

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. This can be done under local with sedation safely. You are a great candidate for breast augmentation. The exact implant dimensions can be determined after an evaluation by your plastic surgeon.

An evaluation in person by a board certified plastic surgeon is required to properly advise you. That said, your health and safety are always the first priority when it comes to elective surgery, especially cosmetic surgery such as breast enhancement. Part of your health and safety includes your comfort level. Local anesthesia is administered via injection and this can be a significant source of pain. In 2023, anesthetic techniques are extremely safe and complications and adverse effects are truly rare.

Your concerns about general anesthesia are legitimate and should not be ignored, but part of your journey toward breast enhancement surgery includes becoming educated about all of your options. General anesthesia can be administered without being placed on a ventilator and your plastic surgeon and his or her anesthesiologist can discuss all of these options with you.

Do your research, and be sure you feel confident about your decisions. Best of luck to you.

Dear Samii699,

It might be a possibility for you to have a Mia Femtech procedure where a small incision is made in the armpit and the implant is injected after a pocket has been created through a autruamatic disection which preserves your breast tissues.
This can all done in local anesthetics.