Can a capsulorrhaphy, scar revision be done with only local anesthesia?

Great question!  If you're going to have the pockets closed down on the sides and the center opened up more, that's a lot of breast manipulation and pain that you will endure if your'e awake and not comfortable.  I would recommend having this done under general anesthesia.Best of luck and hope this information helps!- Dr. Roger Tsai  @DrRogerTsaiBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant surgery needs the strictest of conditions to ensure a safe surgery with the lowest chance of problems. An awake patient can still potentially feel pain, and may require multiple attempts of administering local anesthesia to achieve comfort. Patient movement and talking, and a surgeon who has to constantly go in and out of the implant pocket to administer more local anesthesia is not an ideal environment; it increases your risk of implant contamination and diminishes the surgeons focus and capability. Worse case scenario you cannot tolerate the procedure and it can not be completed without sedation anesthesia. If your surgeon is suggesting local, it makes me think that he does not want to spend the money (regardless of who's paying) to take you to the operating room with a full staff of nurses and an anesthesiologist. 

Dear Versatile8587,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, scar revision can be done under local anesthesia but in case of capsulorraphy, general anesthesia is better option. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Like many operations we often perform under general anesthesia many could also be performed under local anesthesia. If your procedure is limited in scope local anesthesia could be possible. If you are more comfortable with general anesthesia I Susie t your surgeon would be willing to have this done so it’s worth asking.

Hi Versatile.Can a pocket revision be done under local anesthesia only?  I guess so.  Should it be done under local anesthesia only?  I wouldn't recommend this at all.  I see no benefit to this approach, and plenty of down sides to it.  My opinion is that you would be more comfortable under general anesthesia and I personally would not consider local only.

Technically, the procedure can be done under just local anesthesia, but I recommend you have more. You might do well with some oral medication, or better with IV. With any medication, you should be monitored. The scar revision can easily be done with just local anesthesia, but the capsule revision, especially if the implant has to first be removed and then replaced, will be easier with medication.

Thank you for the question and can it be done under local probably yes but would I recommend doing it that way NO.   So go on some complimentary consultations with experts and compare recommendations after a full examination Dr Corbin

While it is possilbe to perform some breast surgery corrections under local anesthesia, you are describing what appears to be extensive surgical correction of the size and shape of your breast implant pocket. Extensive surgery is best performed with the aid of "machines" and the person, who is an anesthesia specialist as well to use those machines. Limiting yourself to local anestheisia also limits what can be accomplished for your breast because of difficulty controlling pain, anxiety, and the risks of surgery. Don't.