What's the best way to find a great plastic surgeon who can do a lift without general anesthesia?

This procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia for the patient's comfort and safety, as well as to optimize results. There is a limit to how much local anesthesia a patient can be given. I recommend speaking to a board certified plastic surgeon near you about your concerns with general anesthesia before excluding it completely.

Many plastic surgery procedures can be done safely under local anesthesia. One of the factors that determines whether a procedure can be done under local anesthesia is the amount of local anesthetic required as local anesthetic is toxic over a maximal dose.

With respect to breast lift surgery, only a very minor breast lift can be done under local anesthesia alone.
The addition of sedation or general anesthesia is necessary to allow an effective breast lift to be performed.

All the best to you,
Dr. Nancy de Kleer