Those with large breasts may experience chronic pain in the back, shoulders, or neck. You may experience discomfort or irritation due to the size of your breasts, which may interfere with physical activities such as sports or make it difficult to find clothing that fits comfortably. You deserve to feel more comfortable with the size and shape of your breasts, and awake breast reduction in Los Angeles may be a treatment that helps you achieve that goal.
Dr. Kenneth Kim is a skilled plastic surgeon with extensive experience who specializes in awake plastic surgery, having performed more than 10,000 procedures using local anesthesia only. He performs breast and body procedures, including breast reduction, using this approach, which keeps patients awake while only the surgical treatment area is anesthetized. This approach may support a smoother, faster recovery while avoiding the use of general anesthesia or IV sedation. During your consultation, Dr. Kim can explain how awake breast reduction works and determine whether this approach is appropriate for your goals.
Why Choose Local Anesthesia for Breast Reduction?
Awake breast reduction is performed using local anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, allowing patients to remain awake and comfortable throughout the procedure while the surgical area is kept numb. Because patients are not placed under general anesthesia, there is no period of waking from general anesthesia after awake breast reduction procedures in Los Angeles. This approach reduces exposure to the anesthetic effects associated with general anesthesia, such as nausea, fatigue, and delayed recovery.
How is Awake Breast Reduction Procedure Performed?
Your awake breast reduction surgery in Los Angeles will be focused on reducing the size and weight of your breasts, which can also include resizing or repositioning the areola as appropriate. This will also entail shaping the breast into a natural contour.
Dr. Kim will begin by administering local anesthesia. Then, he will create the necessary incisions in the locations discussed before the procedure. These incisions will allow him to access the tissue that is to be removed and adjusted to help you achieve a breast size and contour more proportionate to your anatomy and goals. While you will be awake during the procedure, Dr. Kim focuses on your comfort and ensures you feel safe and confident during each step of the process.
After the awake procedure, patients are able to get up and walk on their own immediately after surgery. One of the advantages of the local anesthesia approach is that most patients experience a smoother recovery with significantly less downtime.
Who is a Candidate for Awake Breast Reduction?
Awake breast reduction under local anesthesia is designed for Los Angeles patients experiencing physical discomfort related to large, heavy breasts and those seeking a smaller, lighter, and more proportionate breast size. Common reasons patients pursue a breast reduction include:
- Chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain caused by the weight of the breasts
- Skin irritation or rashes beneath the breasts
- Shoulder grooving from bra straps
- Difficulty exercising or participating in physical activities
- Breasts that feel disproportionately large or heavy for your body frame
- A desire to achieve a smaller, lighter breast size
Patients choose awake breast reduction under local anesthesia for several reasons, including:
- Avoiding general anesthesia and IV sedation
- Reduced exposure to the anesthetic and physiologic effects associated with general anesthesia
- A smoother recovery with less downtime
- Returning to light activities sooner
- Remaining awake and comfortable throughout the procedure using local anesthesia only
A consultation with Dr. Kim can help determine whether awake breast reduction under local anesthesia is an appropriate option based on your anatomy, goals, and overall health.
Does Breast Reduction Include a Breast Lift?
Breast reduction surgery also lifts and reshapes the breasts. During the awake breast reduction procedure in Los Angeles, excess breast tissue, fat, and skin are removed while the remaining breast tissue is reshaped to create a smaller, lighter, more lifted, and youthful breast contour.
While both breast reduction and breast lift surgery elevate and reshape the breasts, breast reduction also reduces breast size and weight.
Explore Awake Breast Reduction in Los Angeles
Dr. Kim offers awake breast reduction in Los Angeles using local anesthesia, allowing patients to remain awake while only the treatment area is anesthetized. Reach out and schedule a consultation to learn whether this approach may be appropriate for you. Dr. Kim is here to answer your questions and help you understand what to expect from your procedure.