Is a breathing tube down the throat done with breast augmentations?

Safety and comfort are the goals of your surgeon and anesthesiologist when patients are having surgery.  Breast Augmentation procedure usually takes a little over an hour which a very short time to be under general anesthesia.  Discuss with your plastic surgeon your concerns and make sure you have all of your questions answered.   Good luck.

Thank you for your question! When undergoing general anesthesia, intubation is part of the process to keep the airway open and continue the flow of oxygen to the lungs. So the answer to your question is yes, there is a breathing tube used during breast augmentation surgeries. Best of luck!

Hello and Great Question.  I appreciate the time you are spending researching this procedure.  My name is Dr. Matthew J. Nykiel.  I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, a Fellowship Trained Cosmetic Surgeon, and a Cosmetic Breast Augmentation Specialist.
Anesthesia options vary depending on patient and surgeon preferences. Please be sure to see a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation and at that time your surgeon should be able to further discuss what is best for you.I hope that helps!  Best of Luck!
Matthew J. Nykiel, MD
#CoreAesthetic
Breast Augmentation Specialist
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Hi gaineybears, I understand your concern. The use of breathing tube will depend on the type of anesthesia used during surgery. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Make sure your surgeon understands your concerns. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery

Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well.. based in your question It depends on the anesthesia used by the anesthesiologist, usually for the breasts it is used blockage (epidural) and soft sedation.An oropharyngeal cannula is placed in the same way for greater patient safety.

Thank you for your question.  The answer will depend on what time of anesthesia you surgeon will be using.  In most cases, general anesthesia is used.  Some anesthesiologists will place an LMA (laryngeal mask airway) which sits above your airway, but does not pass your voice box (larynx).  In other cases, an endotracheal tube (breathing tube) is placed to secure the airway.  Some of these decisions are made based on your underlying medical history.  Talk to your surgeon to see what they prefer.  Good luck.  

Thanks for your question.  In short, it depends on how the anesthesia is conducted.  Breast augmentation can be done under sedation without a tube used since you are breathing for yourself with monitoring.  It may also be done under full general anesthesia using an airway (LMA frequently versus an endotracheal tube).  I often times do the surgery with sedation now and find it serves the patient well.  Occasionally, patients may not be safe for sedation due to airway concerns (like known significant obstructive sleep apnea).  Anyway, any method can be safe and work well.  Please visit with a board certified plastic surgeon who can determine the best type of surgery and anesthesia for you.  Thanks!

typically an LMA is used.  This keeps your airway open and allows for a lighter anesthesia to be given. Not all patients are best suited for this approach, however, and it’s best to discuss with your surgeon and anesthesia provider. Cheers. Dr K

Thank you for your question.  Anesthesia preferences do vary.  Although there are surgical offices that perform breast augmentation with sedation, my practice is to utilize general anesthesia for optimum patient safety.  My advice is to seek care with a board certified plastic surgeon and to discuss your concerns during your consultation.  Good luck.

It depends on the anesthesiologist, but often for a shorter case (like a breast aug) my guys and gals will use an LMA.  But a ET tube is the absolute safest, so don't worry too much about that!Good Luck!