Anesthesia for Breast Augmentation

NEW YORK, NY, April 27, 2011

Some of the greatest concerns for women undergoing breast augmentation are the risks and complications associated with the anesthesia used. Hopefully after an initial consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, you will feel at ease regarding anesthesia use so you may move forward with the procedure.

Types of Anesthesia Available for Breast Augmentation

There is a variety of anesthesia available to breast augmentation patients to complement their preferences and concerns. The following is a list of types of anesthesia board-certified plastic surgeons can use during breast augmentation procedures:

- General anesthesia - General anesthesia can be given intravenously, inhaled as a gas or both. Under general anesthesia, you will be completely asleep and will not remember any part of the breast augmentation procedure. Many plastic surgeons prefer general anesthesia because it takes away the risk of patients' moving and interfering with the procedure.

- Sedation anesthesia ("conscious anesthesia") - Conscious sedation is typically administered intravenously. You will feel very relaxed without pain and will likely not remember the entirety of the procedure. Your breast surgeon may also put you into deep sedation where you will sleep through the operation but can be aroused with stimulation.

- Local anesthesia - Your anesthesiologist administers the local anesthetics to numb pain only in a specific area (much like the use of Novocain in your dentist's office). In breast augmentation, local anesthesia is used with conscious sedation. You may pressure or pulling but should feel no pain.

Risks and Complications Associated With Anesthesia

All forms of anesthesia have risks attached. Fortunately, major complications are rare, especially when you have a qualified breast surgeon and anesthesiologist or nurse-anesthetist by your side. Some possible risks associated with anesthesia include:

- Aspiration (an object/liquid inhaled into your respiratory tract)
- Allergic reaction
- Elevated heart rate
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Systemic shock

If you are considering breast augmentation surgery and would like to learn more about the anesthesia used or any other part of the procedure, please visit the website of Dr. Scott E. Newman at Advanced Plastic Surgery in New York City today.

Website: http://psurgery.com