Can I have a breast reduction without undergoing general anesthesia?

Although local anesthesia and IV sedation (twilight) anesthesia are occasionally used for a breast enlargement, general anesthesia is generally considered the best anesthesia for a breast reduction, in terms of patient comfort and safety.  The operation takes around 3 hours and is performed as an outpatient, so you go home the same day.  It is difficult to achieve total comfort for the patient without general anesthesia.

This surgery is best performed with general anesthesia since there are a plethora of nerves innervating your breast tissue and it is difficult to block them all using local anesthesia or tumescent techniques.  It is not an lengthy surgery, typically 2 1/2 - 3 hours, so the side effects of general anesthesia are minimized.  

NO! It is a big operation and should only be performed by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and a Board Certified Anesthesiologist under general anesthesia . In my opinion- general anesthesia is the safest and most reliable way of anesthesia.

NO! Especially at your older age it would be safer to have anesthesiologist in control of your well being during this 3 hour++ surgery. 

Thank you for your question.  Most surgeons would perform a breast reduction under general anesthesia however I'm sure there are some that are skilled at effective regional blocks, tumescent,  and combination of sedation.  Personally my patients usually receive general anesthesia with a LMA (breathing tube is in the back of mouth rather than trachea) as an outpatient procedure.  Best Dr. L

Although breast reduction can (and is) performed under local anesthesia with sedation, this would not be my preference or recommendation. I find that the use of general anesthesia provided by a board-certified anesthesiologist provides for optimal patient comfort, immobility, experience, and outcomes.Best wishes.

 There are different types of breast reductions. For the right patient the Scarless.....liposuction only, procedure can be extremely rewarding. It is performed regularly under light sedation plus local anesthesia and takes about 45 minutes. Again this is not for everyone.