Question:
I have one breast that is larger than the other. I would like an implant to increase the size of the smaller breast. How long does this surgery take? Is it done while I am under general anesthesia?
Answer:
Placing one implant takes about 45 minutes to one hour. However, very often it is necessary to do some procedure on the other breast for symmetry whether it is a small implant or a lift. All of these procedures usually are done under general anesthesia but they can also be done under what is called twilight anesthesia which is a form of deep sedation where the patient does not feel anything but is breathing on her own. This type of anesthesia provides a much more comfortable recovery and decreased time overall to leave the recovery room and this is a type of anesthesia that is preferred by most patients.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.