Breast surgery
Awake Breast Surgery in Ottawa
Breast surgery performed awake, with local anesthesia and an anesthesiologist present throughout. Augmentation over the muscle, lift, fat transfer, implant removal, nipple and areola reduction, armpit and bra roll liposuction, and combined plans.
Many breast procedures can be performed with tumescent local anesthesia and light sedation in suitable patients. Published series describe breast augmentation, augmentation with lift, and explantation with lift under local anesthesia. Each page below explains the procedure, why awake may work for it, and what to expect before, during and after surgery.
Augmentation
Awake Breast Augmentation Over the Muscle
In over-the-muscle (prepectoral or subfascial) breast augmentation the implant sits in front of the chest muscle instead of behind it. For selected patients it can be performed awake, with local anesthesia and light sedation.
Learn moreAwake Breast Augmentation with Lift (Augmentation-Mastopexy)
Augmentation-mastopexy combines an implant for volume with a lift for position, in one operation. In carefully selected patients it can be done awake, with tumescent local anesthesia and sedation.
Learn moreAwake Breast Fat Transfer
Fat transfer uses fat from your own body, usually removed by liposuction, to add modest volume or refine contour in the breasts. Because it is built on liposuction, it often works well as an awake procedure.
Learn moreLift and reshaping
Awake Breast Lift (Mastopexy)
A breast lift (mastopexy) raises and reshapes the breast by removing excess skin and tightening tissue. For selected patients it can be performed awake, with tumescent local anesthesia and light sedation.
Learn moreAwake Breast Reduction
Breast reduction removes tissue and reshapes the breast. It is a larger operation, so general anesthesia is often the safer choice, but smaller reductions may be possible with awake techniques in selected patients.
Learn moreRevision and removal
Awake Breast Implant Removal (Explant)
Breast implant removal, or explantation, takes out your implants and can include removal of the surrounding capsule. For selected patients it can be performed awake, with local anesthesia and sedation.
Learn moreAwake Combined Breast Procedures (Mix and Match)
Many patients need more than one step to reach their goal. Combined breast surgery brings together procedures such as implant removal, lift, implant placement and fat transfer in a plan built for you.
Learn moreContouring
Awake Armpit (Axillary) Fat Liposuction
Fullness at the armpit and where the breast meets the underarm can show through clothing and bras. Axillary liposuction smooths this area, and because the area is small it is often well suited to awake surgery.
Learn moreAwake Bra Roll Liposuction (Front and Side)
Front and side bra rolls are bulges of fat that sit over or around the bra band. Liposuction smooths the contour of the upper back, side and front, and is often done awake.
Learn moreAwake Gynecomastia (Male Chest Contouring)
Gynecomastia is enlargement of the male breast. Surgery combines liposuction with removal of glandular tissue, and in suitable patients it can be performed awake with tumescent local anesthesia.
Learn moreNipple and areola
Awake Nipple Reduction
Nipple reduction reduces the length or width of a prominent nipple. It is a short procedure that is commonly performed awake under local anesthesia.
Learn moreAwake Areola Reduction
Areola reduction makes the pigmented ring around the nipple smaller, often as a stand-alone procedure or together with a lift or implant surgery. It is commonly performed awake.
Learn moreHow awake surgery works at awakeMD
You are treated with local anesthesia, with or without light sedation, while an anesthesiologist monitors you from start to finish. Awake surgery is not for everyone, and we recommend general anesthesia whenever it is the safer choice. Read more about anesthesia options, the patient journey, and patient education articles.
Explore your options at a consultation
Combination surgery is quoted at consultation. Package pricing may be lower than the total of individual procedure fees.