General Anesthesia - can I wake up during surgery? How do I know if I’m a good candidate for general anesthesia?

I have taken care of 7000 women for breast augmentation, many who were in their late 20s, active, healthy with seasonal asthma. All of these patients did well. I like to perform my surgery in the safety of a hospital with board certified anesthesiologists and sensitive and competent registered nurses. I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to be measured and discuss your goals. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. You should also be aware that results of surgery can change in the future with significant weight change and/or stretching of skin from the milk of pregnancy. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame

Going under general anesthesia is very safe, even in patients with more advanced health concerns. You appear to be very healthy. Your surgeon will be the ultimate decision maker on whether you are healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia (which it sounds like you are). People 'waking up' during surgery is rare and typically when other types of sedation are used. Breast Augmentation is also a very quick procedure, meaning you are not under anesthesia very long. Prior to your surgery, your anesthesiologist will review your past medical history as well. If breast augmentation is something you desire and are deemed a good/healthy candidate for, go for it!

Recent studies report that around 5 per cent of surgery patients may wake up on the operating table but not recall specifics about that time period. For a active, 20 year old healthy female, reading about anesthesia awareness can needlessly increase your anxiety. Anesthesiologists have a wide range of pain-killing and consciousness-reducing drugs at their disposal, and they can find the exact match that will work for you. My AAAASF surgery center employs only board certified anesthesiologists who review along with me your medical history to determine if you are likely to have complications from the medication. Seasonal asthma does not fall into this category.

General anesthesia is very safe even fir patients with asthma. Stories you hear of people waking up during anesthesia are very rare and usually it occurs because the patient had sedation, not general anesthesia.

General anesthesia is overwhelmingly safe. Plastic surgeons work closely with anesthesiologists everyday. When you have questions like this, I will have you talk directly with my anesthesiologist to answer any questions you may have to help calm your worries. Seasonal asthma is not a barrier for anesthesia. Waking up during surgery is much more of something that makes for sensationalized TV rather than something that actually happens in real life. As always, be sure to research who performs your surgery to ensure the best likelihood of a positive result.

Dear Dynamic262517,
general anesthesia is very safe option for surgery. You should discuss your concerns with your anesthesiologist and plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

It is normal to have some apprehension about anesthesia. Serious complications from anesthesia, including waking during surgery are extremely rare. Be assured that you have an entire medically trained team whose number one priority is your safety during surgery. You can still have general anesthesia if you have seasonal allergies. I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon so that you feel comfortable and confident as you prepare for surgery.

For general anesthesia, there is a specifically trained doctor or nurse watching you the entire time to make sure you are given the proper amount of drugs and do not wake up until after the procedure. Prior to your procedure, you will meet with this person and can ask any questions you need. If your asthma is flaired up, you may need your medical doctor to clear you for surgery, and you will need to bring your inhaler to surgery.

Thank you for the question and general anesthesia is routinely given during a breast augmentation and is very safe. So go on some complimentary consultations with experts and compare recommendations after a full examination and discussion of desired results

Dr Corbin