Can you get a breast lift while awake? I would love to get my implants removed and a lift.

Question

I got implants 10 years ago when I was 25 I will be 35 in June, since then I had a little boy and nursed him for two years. I have also lost over gained over 60lbs and have lost 80lbs. My breast are heavy and saggy. I want to keep cost down and I heard that you can get a lift while awake. Is that true.  I am not sure that I want implants anymore, I know for sure that I want small breast. Please help.

David C. Yao, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for sharing. This is possible but you need to have an assessment by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Individual cases are specific to each patient. The careful discussion and evaluation should be done.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and I am sorry to hear of your breast issues.  Without a full series of photographs, or an in-person examination, it is difficult to offer the best treatment recommendation.  In most cases of implant removal with a breast lift patients are under general anesthesia for their comfort and safety.  Be sure to see a board certified plastic surgeon in consultation.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Implant removal and a breast lift should be done under general anesthesia.  This is both for safety as well as to optimize your results.  Having surgery under local anesthesia may sound good, but there is a limit to the amount of local anesthetic that can be safely given.  For a surgery that is this intricate it is best done under general anesthesia.

Scott L. Replogle, MD (retired) · Answer

A simple breast implant removal can be done using only local anesthesia but a breast lift (mastopexy) is a complex surgical procedure involving most of the breast and would require at least IV sedation and local anesthesia with a surgeon experienced with and comfortable with such techniques. Most plastic surgeons would do a breast lift under general anesthesia. Anesthesia means to be asleep. Local anesthesia means only the area worked on is put to sleep as for something like a mole excision. Under monitored IV sedation and local anesthesia, technically the patient is awake and only the area worked on is put to sleep - this could include the entire breast -- but the patient may feel like they were asleep under IV sedation and some IV sedatives like Propofol are somewhere between sedation and general anesthesia. You might consider removing your implants first with just a simple implant removal under local anesthesia and then decide if you want the lift procedure later under general anesthesia (or IV sedation local if your surgeon is experienced with such techniques).

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Your medical history will need to be evaluated.  I would not recommend having a breast lift under local anesthesia.  Minor revisions can be done in an office setting under local anesthesia.  Your health and safety is our upmost concern.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

Yes you can have a local with sedation. Local and wide awake is probably not a good idea. And if you are having sedation, I personally would not do that without a board certified anesthesiologist in attendance for your safety. So no money saved. Saving money in exchange for taking a risk with your safety and possibly life is a very poor tradeoff.

Can you get a breast lift while awake? I would love to get my implants removed and a lift.

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