It has been unequivocally clear to me that women prefer general anesthesia rather than a twilight anesthesia when undergoing a breast augmentation procedure. During my more than twenty two years of plastic surgery practice in the Scottsdale and Phoenix metropolitan area, countless patients that consulted me for their breast revision surgery have recounted their highly unpleasant and very painful experience of having their breast enlargement performed with only sedation and local anesthesia. Many indicated that they felt wide awake. Even 15 or more years later, they still vividly remembered their horrible experiences – not something the operating doctor should be proud of.
An overwhelming majority of board certified plastic surgeons perform breast augmentations, breast revision surgery and breast lifts using general anesthesia in certified facilities such as outpatient centers and hospitals, using anesthesiologists – doctors whose specialty is providing anesthesia safely and effectively. It is a far more pleasant experience and overwhelmingly safe given everything else being equal.
Furthermore, in most of the situations where the twilight anesthesia (sedation with local anesthesia) is used, it is administered either by the operating doctor, a nurse anesthetist, a standard nurse or even worse, one of the physician’s office employees and is performed in an office. Quite a contrast in terms of safety, quality, standards and experience!
To compound the issue, more than likely the doctor performing the cosmetic breast surgery in these situations is not a board certified plastic surgeon. They may be an obstetrician-gynecologist, general surgeon or even a family practitioner or internist.
Would you really want these individuals who have not undergone long and rigorous training like plastic surgeons do performing your surgery?
I don’t think so!
If you have any questions regarding anesthesia and breast augmentations, breast lifts or breast revisions or on any other plastic surgery procedure that I perform or if you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with me, please call my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona