I'm set to have a full explant of 20 year old silicone implants & lift, with anchor incisions. Will I feel pain when I wake up?

Question

Will my incisions from the explant and lift still be numb when I wake up from the anesthesia or will I feel pain right away? What happens is you are nauseated when you wake up from explant surgery?

Andrea Marando, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The vast majority of surgeons tend to infiltrate the incision lines with solutions containing local anaesthetic, therefore the degree of discomfort you should feel when waking up should be minimal.Furthermore you will have less weight on your chest  as the implants will be removed and, on this basis, I believe you will be stiff rather then in pain. Hope it helps and good luck for your procedure!Andrea Marando

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Good day! The recovery with explantation is almost the same with what you experienced with breast augmentation. For the first 48 to 72 hours after the surgery, patients will feel some degree of pain and discomfort. During the first week after surgery, swelling and bruising will subside and will be controlled by pain medication. With regards to pain, it will depend on the pain tolerance of the patient. In addition to that, I usually suggest to begin walking around the house periodically throughout the day once the anesthesia has worn off. This will help minimize swelling and bruising and help with the healing process. Doctors have different protocols with regards to recovery so it is best to ask your surgeon about this in detail. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

Pain immediately following surgery is typically well controlled, as there is still residual local anesthesia in effect which has yet to wear off. As that anesthesia subsides, there may be more discomfort. It is here that postoperative pain medication will bear the brunt of the load.With reagrsd to nausea, there are medications available such as Zofran/Phenergan/Compazine/Reglan which can all play a role in controlling post op nausea.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

When you wake from surgery, you will feel pain from both external incisions and internal dissection.  In the recovery room, the anesthesia will wear off and the pain will get more intense.  Usually patients are given pain medication as soon as possible to help relieve the pain. Nausea is also a possibility and usually the anesthesiologist will give a patch to help with that.  I would recommend you consider an alternative to the anchor technique.  The Bellesoma Method will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed are maintained, if not injured during your previous surgery.  At the same time or later, fat transfers can be performed if additional volume is desired.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions. These are all things you should discuss with your surgeon. Each surgeon has his or her own preferences. During surgery, I usually instill local numbing medication to make sure that patients wake up in very little pain. However, that medication only lasts a few hours, so usually, the pain returns and patients require oral pain medications of some kind. If you are nauseated after surgery, then you will have medication available to you. Discuss with your surgeon whether you will need that medication at home or not.Best of luck!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Bumbleb123,I always try to provide painless postoperative period so I use a combination of regional block and long lasting local anesthetics in order to reduce pain. If you have any concerns, I suggest you to discuss them with your plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  There will be some pain along the incision sites as a result of your explant, and along the chest if you are having a capsulectomy procedure performed.  Since a lift typically involves only soft tissue work, recovery should be smoother than your original augmentation.  Hope that helps.

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

All these questions are best answered by your chosen Operating Surgeon. Everybody's pain tolerance is different. Plus some Surgeons offer a less painful post-op recovery by utilizing certain surgical post-op techniques.

Jeanette Padgett, MD, FACS · Answer

Make sure you discuss all of your concerns with your plastic surgeon.  More than likely your surgeon will inject local anesthesia into your incisions prior to waking up from surgery.  The local anesthesia will help reduce any discomfort when you wake up.   Your anesthesiologist will give you medicines during surgery to lessen any nausea.  Additionally, your post-op nurses will give additional pain medicine or nausea medicine if you require any.  Best wishes.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

I encourage you to speak with your surgeon regarding your concerns.  Often you will receive pain and numbing medication during surgery so that you are more comfortable when you wake up.  Each patient and their pain tolerance is unique.  If you typically experience nausea after anesthesia, advise your anesthesiologist before surgery.  He/She can give you medication to help with that.

I'm set to have a full explant of 20 year old silicone implants & lift, with anchor incisions. Will I feel pain when I wake up?

Answers (13)

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