Breast Augmentation Under Local Anesthesia
In this blog post, we will discuss how breast augmentation can be performed under local anesthesia. This is a popular option for women who are looking to undergo breast augmentation surgery. If you are considering breast augmentation and want to know more about it, then continue reading!
What is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure in which saline or silicone gel implants are placed behind the breast tissue to increase its size. The procedure may also include fat transfer from other areas of the body into the breasts as well. For some people, it may be necessary to have liposuction performed before undergoing breast augmentation surgery because there is not enough fat available in certain areas of their body to use for the procedure.
What Are Some Benefits of Breast Augmentation Surgery?
There are many different benefits associated with undergoing this type of surgery including:
-It can help improve self-esteem and confidence levels because it improves your appearance by making you feel better about yourself overall; -It can also help improve health problems such as back pain (especially if you suffer from scoliosis), migraines, or sleep apnea; -It may even help reduce…
Breast Augmentation Under Local Anesthesia
Abstract
Background: Tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) consists of infiltration of saline solution with lidocaine and epinephrine into the tissues to obtain regional anesthesia and vasoconstriction. The use of TLA in augmentation mammoplasty has been described for sub-glandular positioning. We describe a modified TLA technique for primary sub-muscular breast augmentation reporting our experience during the past 7 years.
Methods: From 2010 to 2017, 300 patients underwent bilateral primary sub-muscular breast augmentation under TLA and conscious sedation. The tumescent solution was prepared with 25 mL of 2% lidocaine, 8 mEq of sodium bicarbonate, and 1 mL of epinephrine (1 mg/1 mL) in 1000 mL of 0.9% saline solution. Firstly, the solution was infiltrated between the pectoral fascia and the mammary gland, secondarily, during surgery, under the pectoralis major muscle.
Results: The average amount of tumescent solution infiltrated while performing TLA was 740 mL per breast. No signs of adrenaline or lidocaine toxicity were reported and conversion to general anesthesia was never required. In all patients, no pain nor discomfort was reported during the pre-operating infiltration and surgical procedure. We reported a major complication rate of 3.3% (4 hematomas and 6 seromas) and a minor complication rate of 6.0% (8 implant dislocation and 10 dystrophic scars formation).
Conclusions: TLA represents a safe and efficacious technique for performing breast augmentation surgery with sub-muscular implant positioning. This technique guarantees good pain control during and after surgery and has low incidence of postoperative side effects. Patients subjected to sub-muscular breast augmentation with TLA were satisfied.
Level of evidence iv: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
Keywords: Breast augmentation; Breast implants; Sub-muscular; Tumescent local anesthesia.
Breast Enlargement Under Local Anaesthetic – Everything You Need to Know (Plus a Patient Testimonial)
Are you happy with your overall body shape? Have your breasts reduced in mass and shape due to recent weight loss? You’ve probably considered breast augmentation but wondered whether you could have it done awake.
We take you through what a patient of Linia Cosmetic Surgery had to say and her experience of the procedure. But first, we’ll take you through the procedure and the benefits.
It may be that you have always had a small chest and have trouble finding the style of clothes you want to wear that will fit you. Perhaps you have already had a tummy tuck, body lift and other cosmetic surgery and want to benefit from further surgery but don’t want to go under again.
That’s what we’re going to tackle today in this blog.
Breast implants can help to combat self-esteem and self-confidence issues you may have, whether you’ve always had smaller breasts nor not.
The problem is that maybe you’ve had enough work done and don’t really want to go under the knife and have full general anesthesia or maybe you are just scared and not keen on the after-effects.
Can You Have Breast Augmentation Under Local Anaesthetic?
Whatever your reasons, the good news is that you don’t need to have some cosmetic surgery procedures, including breast augmentation, under general anesthesia.
Yes, it is possible and becoming more commonplace for patients to have a breast enlargement and breast augmentation with a local anaesthetic rather than general anesthesia.
Particularly, if the implants are going to placed below the breast tissue, but over the muscle.
What Type Of Sedation Is Used For Breast Augmentation Awake?
With awake breast augmentations (you can read another of our patient case studies by clicking that link) procedures such as breast implant surgery, you are given the sedation and a numbing agent into the area too by the plastic surgeon.
This has been used for many years in other plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery treatments like liposuction and eyelid surgery (to name two extremely popular surgical procedures) and is tumescent and consists of the epinephrine to control the bleeding and the anaesthetic, lidocaine.
What Are The Advantages Of Being Awake During A Boob Job?
One of the most important questions you will have to think about when deciding whether you want to have surgery involving general or local anesthesia.
To come to the decision you will have to consider the pros and cons, and whether there are any risks to this kind of breast implant surgery.
Breast surgery, in general, offers many great benefits, so when it is performed by a surgeon with local anesthesia, some patients feel there are even more.
Having breast implants, like other invasive forms of cosmetic surgery, is traditionally performed with the use of anaesthetic.
Although it is relatively safe and can mean that a patient experiences less pain and distress. One of the major issues with anaesthetics is how it works.
It cuts off the nerve signals between the body and brain, which means it prevents you from experiencing pain but also paralyses you while the surgery is performed.
Although this still happens when local anesthesia is used, it is far more localised and targeted, therefore, does not carry the same risks.
As you would be awake, though calm, It also means for the duration of the procedure, you will avoid the disorientation and nausea that is often associated with having it done under a general.
Furthermore, you can generally start to recover and get back to doing normal things after having breast implants, a breast reduction, breast lift or any other form of augmentation procedure.
Breast implants patients can eat, drink and move around with little to no restriction afterwards.
It’s not quite as simple as having fully non-surgical procedures, as the surgery is still very much an invasive one, but it also means you don’t need to spend time in the operating room and can leave with your new boobs on the same day usually.
What Is The Risk Of Being Breast Surgery Under Local Anaesthetic?
It is important to note that any surgery, whether it’s a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, breast reduction or breast implants, comes with a degree of risk.
This has as much to do with the issues related to general anaesthetic and local anesthesia as it does the actual surgical breast implants.
The best way to avoid any of the complications associated with breast enlargement surgery, whether it is done with local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic is to ensure you have your procedure performed by a surgeon who is suitably qualified and certified.
When you first contact us, one of our friendly staff will arrange for a consultation appoint for you. You will get a chance to meet one of our team of highly experienced plastic surgeons who will be able to explain any of the risks that could.
Before you agree to have implants, the surgeon may advise that fat transfer would be better and still give you the lift and increase in shape and size you were looking for.
It is also important that you take the time to read the terms and conditions of agreeing to surgery.
Breast Implants – Certain Labeling Recommendations to Improve Patient Communication Final Guidance
The final guidance, Breast Implants – Certain Labeling Recommendations to Improve Patient Communication, provides recommendations concerning the content and format for certain labeling information for saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants, including:
- Boxed warning (page 4 of the guidance)
- Patient decision checklist (page 5 of the guidance)
- Materials/device descriptions, including types and quantities of chemicals and heavy metals found in or released by breast implants
- Silicone gel-filled breast implant rupture screening recommendations
- Patient device card
The recommendations in this guidance supplement the recommendations in the FDA’s Saline, Silicone Gel, and Alternative Breast Implants guidance, issued September 29, 2020 superseding the prior version dated November 17, 2006.
Breast implant surgery can be performed in a hospital or surgery center. Breast implant surgery patients may have to stay overnight in the hospital (inpatient surgery) or may be able to go home afterward (outpatient surgery). The surgery can be done under local anesthesia, where the patient remains awake and only the breast is numbed to block the pain, or under general anesthesia, where medicine is given to make the patient sleep. Most women receive general anesthesia for this surgery. Breast implant surgery can last from one to several hours depending on the procedure and personal circumstances.
If the surgery is done in a hospital, the length of the hospital stay will vary based on the type of surgery, any complications after surgery, and your general health. The length of the hospital stay may also depend on the type of coverage your insurance provides.
Surgical Mesh and Breast Surgery
Surgical mesh is typically a flexible, thin flat sheet, usually made of nondegradable synthetic materials, biodegradable synthetic materials, or from animal- or human-derived tissues called acellular dermal matrices (ADM). Surgical mesh is a medical device, regulated by the FDA.
The FDA has not cleared or approved any surgical mesh for use with breast implants or in breast reconstruction, and thus has not reviewed potential benefits and risks for these uses. The FDA recommends that patients discuss the benefits and risks of mesh with their health care providers.
Surgical Consultation
Before surgery you should have a consultation with your surgeon. Be prepared to ask questions about the surgeon’s experience, your surgery and expected outcomes. The FDA has provided a list of questions that may help guide your discussion. The surgeon should be able to discuss whether you are a good candidate for breast implants, the different type of implants, options for size, shape, surface texture, and placement based on your particular circumstances, as well as the risks and benefits of implant surgery. The surgeon should also be able to provide you with before and after pictures of other patients to help you better understand your expectations and potential outcomes from surgery.
During the consultation you will need to discuss your medical history, including any medical conditions or drug allergies you may have. You should also discuss any previous surgeries you’ve had, especially to the breast, and what drugs you are currently taking, including supplements, herbal and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. It is important to tell the surgeon if you think you may be pregnant.
If you are undergoing breast implant surgery for reconstruction, you will also need to speak with your surgeon about your personal circumstances, including being treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, as these can affect your risks of complication and the appearance of the reconstructed breast. The surgeon should also speak to you about the amount of breast tissue that will remain after surgery and future screening for breast implant ruptures and breast cancer.
During the consultation, be sure to ask the surgeon for a copy of the patient labeling for the breast implant she or he plans to use. This should include a patient booklet/brochure that includes important information about your specific breast implant, as well as a boxed warning and patient decision checklist. You have the right to request this information, and your physician is expected to provide it.
Be sure to read the patient labeling entirely prior to surgery. Please know that this patient labeling is intended to enhance, but not replace, the discussion you have with your physician about the benefits and risks of breast implants as they uniquely pertain to you.
After reviewing the information in the patient booklet/brochure for the specific implant that will be used, please read and discuss the items in the checklist carefully in consultation with your physician. You should place your initials in the location provided next to each item to indicate that you have read and understood the item and that your physician has answered all questions to your satisfaction. In addition, please make sure you read and understand the informed consent form before you sign it. If you decide to proceed with the surgery, your physician should also provide you with a patient device card after your surgery that has information on each of your specific implants.
Breast implant manufacturers may be conducting clinical studies to evaluate breast implants and to understand the long term experiences of women who receive breast implants. If you are interested in participating in a clinical study, be sure to ask your surgeon what specific steps you will need to take.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Having Breast Implant Surgery
When choosing a surgeon for a breast implant procedure, you may want to consider their years of experience, their board certification, their patient follow-up, and your own comfort level with the surgeon. Most breast implant procedures are performed by board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons. The following questions can help guide your discussion with your surgeon regarding breast implant surgery.
Questions to Ask…
About Your Surgeon
- How many breast implant procedures do you do each year?
- What percentage of your practice is dedicated to breast augmentation? To breast reconstruction?
- What type of implants do you use? Saline or silicone? What is your experience with each?
- What is the most common complication you encounter with breast implant surgery?
- What is your rate of complications in general (capsule contracture, infection, etc.)?
- What is your reoperation rate?
- What is the most common type of reoperation you perform?
About Breast Implants and Expected Outcomes
- What shape, size, and surface texture are you recommending for my implants?
- Why are you recommending one type of breast implant over another? Why do you recommend this one for me?
- How long will my breast implants last?
- What incision site and placement are you recommending for me?
- Do you have before and after photos I can look at for each procedure?
- What results are reasonable for me to expect?
- How will breast implants feel? Will they alter my breast skin or nipple sensation?
- What are the risks and complications associated with having breast implants?
- Can I still get breast implants for augmentation if I have a strong family history of breast cancer?
- How many additional operations on my breast implants can I expect to have over my lifetime?
- How will I be able to tell if my breast implant has ruptured or if there is a problem with my breast implants?
- How will my breasts look if I decide to have the implants removed and not replaced?
- How easy or difficult is it to remove the implants?
- How easy or difficult is it to increase the size of the implants after the breast implants have been placed?
- What can I expect my breasts to look like over time? What do I need to do to maintain them?
- What kind of additional follow-up will I need?
- What are the long-term consequences of breast implants?
- What will my breasts look like after pregnancy? After breastfeeding?
- Will the breast implants affect my ability to breastfeed a baby?
- What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my breast implants?
- Can I still get mammograms with breast implants in place?
- Will the mammogram rupture my breast implant?
- What alternate procedures or products are available besides breast implants?
About the Breast Implant Operation
- How long will I be in pain after the surgery?
- What is my expected recovery time?
- Will I need help at home for normal activities after the surgery and if so for about how long?
- How long do you expect my operation to take?
- What (if any) secondary procedures associated with my breast augmentation/breast reconstruction will be required?
- How likely is it that I will get an infection after the surgery?
- How much risk is there from the anesthesia?
- What can I do to minimize the risk of short-term and long-term complications?
- Where will my scar be?