Is it common to be given a breathing tube during a breast reduction?

I appreciate your question.
Many people have concerns about the type of anesthesia that will be used during their breast surgery, this is quite common. 

In my practice, during breast surgeries, I use a gentler type of anesthesia called TIVA (total intravenous anesthesia). Using only IV medications, you will be asleep and comfortable during your procedure, but breathing on your own. That means no breathing tube. This speeds up the recovery process for our breast surgery patients so much that we started calling this method "Rapid Recovery™" The advantages to Rapid Recovery™ is that TIVA medications wear off quickly and they are eliminated from your body within hours of surgery. This results in a shorter time in the recovery room, as well as a smoother experience overall. TIVA also has an anti-nausea effect, meaning you won't have that "run over by a truck" feeling after your surgery. Most of our patients are up walking around after their procedure and feel good enough to go out to dinner the next night. 

Another feature of Rapid Recovery™ is limiting pain for our breast surgery patients. I often inject Botox™ into the muscles of the chest prior to surgery, as well as a long-acting numbing medication called EXPAREL®, to speed the recovery process. 

The best way to assess and give true advice about which form of anesthesia would be best for your surgery would be an in-person exam. Please see your board-certified plastic surgeon.

Best of luck!
Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Yes, it is standard to have a breathing tube for surgery, as you will be receiving general anesthesia.   I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Hello and thanks for your questions.  I know it is a bit worrisome to think about having a breathing device during surgery, but this is the only way that such a large procedure can be accomplished.  It is done every day this way all over the world.  
I would encourage you to schedule a consultation and discuss your breast reduction treatment options with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), and also a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) demonstrating their commitment to cosmetic surgery and excellence in surgery.  Assure that they have multiple before and after photos of results that you like so that you can have an informed discussion about your breast reduction and possible results.
Best wishes!
Daniel Brown, MD, FACS      Diplomate, American Board of Plastic Surgeons      Member American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons      Member American Society of Plastic Surgeons       Real Self Top 500

Breast reductions are routinely done under general anesthesia as insurance in involved and will cover their costs per their agreement with the anesthesiologist.  The procedure is at least a 2.5 hour procedure and can last up to 4 hours so its best to be under general with your anesthesiologist making sure you are okay during the procedure.  I can't think of doing such a procedure under local/sedation.

Breast reduction is a life changing wonderful procedure.  It takes several hours for the surgery and during that time you need to be monitored by an anesthesiologist and be asleep or under sedation.  It is very common and safe to have a breathing tube either in your mouth or throat.  You can have a more thorough discussion with the anesthesiologist.  It will keep you safe and comfortable and is a standard practice in breast reduction surgery.

 Breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform; it is often done under general anesthesia.  The device that is used to "control the airway" may be an endotracheal tube (a tube that goes through the patient's vocal cords) OR a laryngeal mask airway (LMA), which is a device that keeps the patient's airway open (but is placed above the patient's vocal cords). There are pros/cons associated with each option and sometimes, depending on the  specific patient's situation, a specific type of device may be preferred. My best advice: careful selection of plastic surgeon. Make sure that he/she is a board certified plastic surgeon who works with a well experienced anesthesia provider ( in my practice a board-certified anesthesiologist), in a fully accredited surgery facility. I hope this helps.

Even though breast reduction has been an outpatient procedure (you can go home afterwards) for many years, we still use a general anesthetic meaning the patient is asleep. In order to keep the airway open for patient safety the anesthesiologist will insert a tube into the airway.. In our practice we use what is called a Laryngeal Mask. This does not go through the vocal cords like the endotracheal tube and so lessens the chance of a sore throat afterward.