Stress medicine before breast augmentation surgery. Can I take anything to calm me down?

Question

Hello i have a phobia of needles and all the operational process. Is there anything i can take before the operation to calm me down?

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Yes, many patients with needle or surgery anxiety can be helped, but do not take any medication on your own before surgery. Breast augmentation is done with anesthesia, and sedatives, anti-anxiety medicines, pain medicines, alcohol, herbal products, or sleep aids can interact with anesthesia and affect safety.

Tell your plastic surgeon and anesthesia team ahead of time about the needle phobia. They can plan options such as a preoperative anxiolytic given at the proper time, numbing cream or local anesthetic before IV placement, having an experienced team place the IV, and a calm step-by-step plan. If anxiety is severe, it is worth discussing it before the surgery day so the plan is documented and safe.

Tommaso Addona, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
I recommend speaking with your anesthesiologist prior to your procedure. They should be able to give you some options to calm any pre-operative anxiety.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hi & thanks for your question!
Contact your surgeon office for guidance on the best way to manage your  anxiety/ fear of your upcoming surgery. Best wishes!

George Volpe, MD · Answer

There are several classes of medication one can take prior to surgery to help calm oneself down. However, this should be discussed thoroughly with your physician. These include the Valium like medications and then there are other medications, for example clonidine, which has anti-anxiety effects. However, these should not be taken without your physician's knowledge. There are also some legal considerations. For example, consent forms for the operation, the facility, or the anesthesiologist may not be effective if a patient is on certain medications. A strategy can be aligned with your physician to help you get through the anxiety producing time leading up to surgery.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Each Surgeon will have their own protocol on what they allow or don't allow in regards to pre operative medications.  I would suggest speaking with your Surgeon of choice to discuss your concerns.  Best of luck to you.

Ted Eisenberg, DO, FACOS, FAACS · Answer

I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and be measured. After I measure and discuss goals with my patients, we then look at pictures of women (my patients) with similar measurements with different size and style breast implants, and they choose what looks right for them. They also get to see what they would look like when the breasts have fully dropped and fluffed and in clothes. You get to see actual results and the surgeon's experience and not a virtual idea of what can be achieved. Women tell me that this process is very helpful in determining what size and style breast implant is right for them. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. I can not vouch for other practices but here in my practice we can give an anti anxiety medication the night before to help patient sleep but the morning of the surgery we ask that you do not take anything since we will have you sign a consent form that requires your full attention and unaltered mind set. Sometimes the anti anxiety may make you a bit drowsy and alter your memory. Talk to your plastic surgeon about other options perhaps receiving something after the consents are signed for. Fore more information check out our website.

Ahmad N. Saad, MD, FACS · Answer

When properly done, breast augmentation can be painless or with minimal pain that can be easily controlled with pain meds. Regarding phobia from needles, I recommend you tell your anesthesiologist before they place the IV line. Hope that was helpful

Jose A. Munoz, MD · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!As each plastic surgeon has their own unique personal pre- and postoperative protocol, I suggest you contact your plastic surgeon and express your concern. Some plastic surgeons offer anti-anxiety medication.Best wishes...

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for you questions regarding medication being taken prior to your breast augmentation surgery.

You will want to abstain from taking anything that could potentially thin your blood.

For specific medications being taken prior to surgery, you will want to check with your board certified plastic surgeon.

Hope this helps!

Stress medicine before breast augmentation surgery. Can I take anything to calm me down?

Answers (16)

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