Can an areola reduction be done under local anesthesia?

Question

Can an Areola reduction be done under local? A plastic surgeon told me that doing this surgery with local anesthesia can have adverse results (fills the area with liquid making it more difficult?)

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Yes, an areola reduction procedure can often be performed under local anesthesia. Local anesthesia involves numbing the specific area where the surgery will be performed, allowing the patient to remain awake during the procedure while experiencing minimal discomfort.

Here are some key points to consider regarding areola reduction under local anesthesia:

Suitability: In many cases, areola reduction surgery is a relatively minor procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia, especially if it's a standalone procedure without other concurrent surgeries.

Patient Comfort: Local anesthesia helps ensure that the patient remains comfortable during the procedure by numbing the area being treated. While patients may feel pressure or mild sensations during the surgery, they should not experience pain.

Safety: Local anesthesia is generally considered safe when administered by qualified healthcare professionals. However, it's essential for patients to disclose any medical conditions, allergies, or medications they are taking to their surgeon before the procedure to minimize potential risks.

Recovery: Recovery from areola reduction surgery performed under local anesthesia is typically faster compared to procedures done under general anesthesia. Patients can often return home shortly after the surgery and resume their normal activities within a few days, although strenuous activities should be avoided for a period specified by the surgeon.

Consultation: During the initial consultation with your plastic surgeon, they will evaluate your individual circumstances, discuss your goals, and determine the most suitable anesthesia option for your procedure. They will also provide information about the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of areola reduction surgery performed under local anesthesia.

As with any surgical procedure, it's essential to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing areola reduction surgeries and to follow their pre-operative and post-operative instructions carefully to ensure the best possible outcome.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. An areola reduction can be done under local anesthesia or in combination with other procedures (under general anesthesia).

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Assuming it is only a small areola reduction, it should be amenable to having it done under local anesthesia. The local anesthesia does inflate the tissues a bit but the markings are done before.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

In some cases an areola reduction can be performed under local anesthesia.  I recommend first seeing a few board certified plastic surgeons for a consultation.  Often times this procedure is performed when the patient is not a good candidate and the results are disappointing so you first want to be sure that this is the best recommendation for you.

Scott L. Replogle, MD (retired) · Answer

Areola reduction can definitely be done with only local anesthesia. Most plastic surgeons aren't trained in it or used to doing it but any breast procedure including breast reduction or even mastectomy can be done with local anesthesia as the entire chest can be blocked with anesthetic injections. This is usually done with IV sedation but is still local anesthesia and is easier on the system, less risk, and less cost.

Can an areola reduction be done under local anesthesia?

Answers (5)

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