IV Sedation or General Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation Surgery?

On a daily basis I answer questions regarding anesthesia options by patients considering breast augmentation at my Denver plastic surgery practice.  Over the years, I have performed several hundred under-the-muscle breast augmentation procedures under IV sedation, and for me this anesthesia option is the way to go based on its many benefits. Some of those benefits include:

• A dramatic reduction in postoperative pain and recovery time. The anesthesiologists and CRNAs I have worked with over the years, 100% agree that by thoroughly blocking the breast with long-acting local anesthesia, breast augmentation patients have a profound improvement in comfort following their surgery.
• A significant reduction in the chances of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
• Significant reduction in general fatigue, which is always seen in some degree with general anesthesia.

A few weeks ago I performed a breast augmentation under IV sedation while a fellow plastic surgeon was visiting from Europe. This surgeon regularly uses general anesthesia for his breast augmentation procedures. He was quite surprised to see our breast augmentation patient was awake, talking, smiling and reporting “no pain” and “just a little pressure, maybe a one or a two” immediately following her procedure.

Intravenous (IV) sedation is a form of conscious sedation that ensures patients remain in a deeply relaxed, sleep-like state throughout their procedure. While technically not the same as general anesthesia, IV sedation allows patients to remain unaware of their surroundings with little to no memory of the procedure afterward.

Unlike general anesthesia, which requires airway management and deeper levels of sedation, IV sedation offers several advantages, including a quicker recovery time, reduced side effects, and a lower risk profile. It is an ideal option for patients who may experience anxiety or discomfort during medical procedures, providing a safe and effective alternative to fully unconscious anesthesia while still ensuring patient comfort and amnesia of the experience.

The bottom line is this: both General Anesthesia and IV Sedation are options for Breast Augmentation, and both can be safely performed. The more important issues are being certain that you are selecting a reputable Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and are having your procedure performed in a Licensed and Accredited surgical facility. I recommend selecting a Plastic Surgeon that is a member of the ASPS and ASAPS. A surgeon with these credentials has board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, advanced education in aesthetic surgery and signifies that they will only perform surgical procedures in an accredited surgical facility.

If you are considering a breast augmentation in the Denver, Colorado area, please contact us to schedule a consultation.