Can a breast augmentation be preformed while a person is awake or conscious?

Yes: The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation if needed.

Yes, but...: It is less uncomfortable when the patient is under a short anesthetic. All because it can be done under lesser anesthesia doesn't mean it is better done this way.

Yes: We generally perform the procedure under IV sedation. The patient is breathing on her own and can talk to us, but is sedated and very calm during the procedure, with minimal discomfort.

Caution!: This is a controversial area. Consider why you would want this while you are awake versus under a safe, short anesthesia. What can be done might be different than what should be done. For my family member, i would want to know that there is an anesthesia provider in the room to handle any medical problems during surgery. This "awake" method still often involves some sedation.

Yes but...: Most patients do not chose to be awake for this procedure. In fact, most do not want know or feel anything while the procedure is being performed. Most patients elect general anesthesia unless there are health concerns that would make them poor candidates for anesthesia.

Maybe: If the implants are being placed on top of the muscle then sedation and local anesthesia can be done. You will have discomfort with the instillation of the local and some aspects of the operation will be uncomfortable. In my practice we use an anestheiologist and often the patients are deeply sedated and breathing without the aid of the anesthesia machine.