The Types of Anesthesia
Several kinds of anesthesia can be used for breast augmentation. Which one is right for you depends on the specifics of your surgery, the facility where it’s performed, your general health, and Dr. Roudner’s judgment. Anesthesia does carry some risk, but major side effects and complications are very rare, and it is always administered by an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist trained specifically for that work.
General Anesthesia
You are completely unconscious for the entire procedure.
Local Anesthesia
Only the specific area being operated on is numbed.
Sedation
With conscious sedation, your level of consciousness is altered rather than fully switched off.
IV Sedation
A form of complete unconsciousness delivered through an IV.
Before Anesthesia: How to Prepare
There’s a specific routine to follow before anesthesia, and you’ll be given a written list of instructions to follow closely; it exists to keep the risk of complications as low as possible. Let Dr. Roudner know if anyone in your family has had problems with anesthesia, and plan not to eat anything past midnight the night before surgery. If you normally take medication in the morning and want to take it the day of your procedure, get Dr. Roudner’s approval first. Just as important, make sure your surgeon and anesthesiologist know your full medical history and every medication you take, including herbal and dietary supplements, since those can interfere with anesthesia too. If nerves get the better of you, it’s fine to ask for an anti-anxiety pill, and some patients are given an anti-nausea medication to reduce the chance of vomiting afterward.
Waking Up After Surgery
How you come out of anesthesia depends on the type used and how your body responds to it. You’ll be watched closely in a monitored recovery area as you wake, which can happen gradually or all at once. It’s normal to feel warm or cold, a little nauseous, or unexpectedly emotional, cheerful one moment and tearful the next, for a short while. Because the effects take time to clear, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Who administers the anesthesia?
Anesthesia is always given by an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist, professionals trained specifically to administer it and monitor you throughout your procedure.
Can I eat before surgery?
No. You’ll be told not to eat anything past midnight the night before your surgery. Any morning medication you’d like to take on the day of surgery needs Dr. Roudner’s prior approval.
Is anesthesia safe?
Anesthesia carries some risk, but major side effects and complications are very rare. The best protection is making sure your anesthesiologist and surgeon know your full medical history and every medication you take, including herbal and dietary supplements.
Will I be able to drive myself home?
No. The effects of anesthesia linger as you wake, so you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home after your breast augmentation surgery.
