Awake Breast Augmentation | Hakimi Plastic Surgery Hakimi Plastic Surgery

Traditionally, breast augmentation has been performed with general anesthesia. But for many women, going under comes with a host of concerns: the grogginess, the nausea, and the rare but real risks associated with being completely unconscious. Awake breast augmentation offers another path. Using local anesthesia, Dr. Hakimi can enhance your breasts while you remain awake, comfortable and in control. You’ll walk out of the office feeling like yourself, skip the lengthy recovery and get back to your life faster than you ever thought possible.

Awake Breast Augmentation OVERVIEW

01 // What It Is

Breast augmentation performed under local anesthesia, so you stay awake and comfortable throughout the procedure.

02 // How We Do It

Dr. Hakimi uses Motiva implants and subglandular placement, allowing for a gentler approach that doesn’t require general anesthesia.

03 // Why You Want It

You want beautiful, natural-looking results without the risks, side effects or downtime of general anesthesia.

04 // Recovery Time

A few days to one week

Awake Breast Augmentation With Dr. Hakimi

Awake breast augmentation is exactly what it sounds like: breast enhancement performed while you’re fully conscious. Instead of putting you under for surgery, Dr. Hakimi uses local anesthesia to completely numb the treatment area. You’ll also receive oral medication to help you feel relaxed and at ease. You’ll be completely awake and aware of what’s happening but feel no pain. Patients are surprised by how seamless and comfortable the whole process actually is.

This approach isn’t new, but it does require a specific skill set. Dr. Hakimi has extensive experience performing awake procedures, from liposuction to breast augmentation, and has built his practice around giving patients a choice in how their surgeries are performed. For awake breast augmentation, he uses Motiva implants and subglandular placement for a gentler approach that involves less discomfort and downtime.

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Minimally Invasive Breast Augmentation With Preservé by Motiva

Dr. Hakimi is one of a select few plastic surgeons trained to perform the Preservé technique by Motiva, a tissue-preservation approach that results in less tissue trauma and faster healing. Because the breast’s natural anatomy stays intact, Preservé is ideally suited for local anesthesia and can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. If you’re a first-time augmentation patient looking for the gentlest possible approach, this technique may be right for you.

Click here to watch Dr. Hakimi explain Awake Breast Augmentation with Motiva.

Why Motiva Implants?

Awake breast augmentation at Hakimi Plastic Surgery is performed with Motiva implants. There’s a reason for that. Motiva’s flexible design and enhanced compressibility allow Dr. Hakimi to place implants through smaller incisions using gentler techniques, which is exactly what’s needed when a patient is awake and the goal is minimal tissue disruption.

Motiva implants also perform exceptionally well with subglandular placement. Traditional implants placed above the muscle can sometimes show visible rippling, particularly in patients with thinner breast tissue. Motiva’s SmoothSilk and ProgressiveGel technologies minimize this risk, delivering soft, natural-looking results even without the extra muscle coverage.

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What to Expect During Your Procedure

01 // Before

Before surgery, you’ll take oral medication to help you relax. Once you’re comfortable, Dr. Hakimi will administer local anesthesia to completely numb your chest. You’ll be awake and aware, but you won’t feel any pain. Some patients describe sensing pressure or movement during surgery, but nothing too uncomfortable. Since you’ll be able to communicate with Dr. Hakimi, he can make any adjustments as needed to ensure your comfort throughout.

02 // During

Dr. Hakimi will make small incisions, typically hidden in the breast crease, and create the subglandular pocket for your implants. If you opt for the minimally invasive Motiva Preservé technique, this will be done using specialized tools that gently push the breast tissues aside. He’ll then carefully position each Motiva implant, ensuring symmetry and optimal placement. The surgery itself takes about one hour.

03 // After

Afterward, there’s no waiting for anesthesia to wear off. You’ll receive aftercare instructions, get dressed and head home. Most patients feel well enough to walk out on their own, though you’ll want a friend or family member to drive you.

Awake Breast Augmentation Recovery

Recovery from awake breast augmentation is notably faster than traditional breast augmentation. Without the lingering effects of sedation and no muscle disruption, most patients feel surprisingly good within the first day or two.

You can expect some swelling and mild discomfort, which typically peaks around day two or three and then steadily improves. Most patients manage any soreness with over-the-counter pain medication and return to work shortly after their procedure. You’ll be asked to wear a supportive bra or compression garment to help with healing and support your new contours.

Follow-up appointments allow Dr. Hakimi to monitor your healing and ensure everything is progressing as expected. He’ll provide specific guidance on activity levels, garment wear and any signs to watch for during your recovery.

Awake Breast Augmentation Results

Results are visible immediately, though your final outcome will develop over the following weeks as the implants settle. With subglandular placement, the settling process tends to be faster. Since there is less muscle restriction, your implants “drop and fluff” sooner, settling into a more natural position and filling out the lower portion of the breast as the tissues relax.

Because Motiva implants adapt to your body’s movements, your breasts will look and feel remarkably natural. Partners often can’t tell the difference between Motiva implants and natural breast tissue. Dr. Hakimi has documented patient journeys on his Instagram, where you can see real results and hear directly from women who’ve undergone awake breast augmentation at his Beverly Hills practice.

Follow Diana’s Awake Breast Augmentation Journey

“I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. Hakimi and his entire team for their kindness, expertise, and genuine warmth. His consults are thoughtful and never rushed. I’m someone who really does not like going under anesthesia, and Dr. Hakimi offers patients choice and agency. Procedures can be done fully awake under local anesthesia (which are surprisingly very comfortable!) or under general anesthesia if you prefer to be asleep. Because awake procedures are a regular part of his practice, Dr. Hakimi has extensive experience and is truly at the cutting edge of this approach. . . I was very comfortable throughout the whole process and incredibly happy with the results!”

— Olga W.

Is Awake Breast Augmentation Right for Me?

Awake breast augmentation is an excellent option for many women, but it’s not right for everyone. Ideal candidates typically share a few characteristics. This minimally invasive approach to breast augmentation may be suitable if you:

Want to avoid general anesthesia and its associated risks and side effects
Have enough natural breast tissue to support subglandular implant placement
Are seeking first-time breast augmentation (for patients considering Preservé)
Prefer a faster recovery with less downtime
Feel comfortable with the idea of being awake during surgery

You may need a different approach if you:

Have very little natural breast tissue, which may require submuscular placement
Need a breast lift in addition to augmentation
Have anxiety about being awake during a surgical procedure

During your consultation, Dr. Hakimi will evaluate your concerns, anatomy and goals to determine if awake breast augmentation is right for you. If a different approach would serve you better, he’ll explain why and walk you through your options.

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Schedule Your Consultation

Dr. Hakimi is one of Beverly Hills’ leading experts in awake plastic surgery procedures. His extensive experience with awake liposuction and awake breast augmentation means you’re in skilled, steady hands, and his honest approach ensures you’ll have all the information you need to make the right decision for your body.

To learn whether awake breast augmentation is right for you, call 424-239-5201 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation.

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FAQ

Does Awake Breast Augmentation Hurt?

No. Dr. Hakimi uses a local anesthesia to completely numb the treatment area before making any incisions. You may feel some pressure or sensation of movement during the procedure, but you won’t feel pain. After your procedure, the local anesthesia keeps acting directly on the nerves to minimize post-op pain, with most patients needing only Tylenol to manage discomfort.

Will I Be Fully Conscious During Surgery?

You’ll be awake and aware, but the oral medication Dr. Hakimi provides will help you feel calm and relaxed. Many patients describe a pleasant, drowsy state where they know what’s happening but feel completely at ease. You can communicate with Dr. Hakimi throughout your surgery if needed.

What If I Get Anxious During the Procedure?

It’s normal to feel some nervousness beforehand. The oral medication helps significantly with anxiety, and Dr. Hakimi’s calm, communicative approach puts patients at ease. If you have severe anxiety about being awake during surgery, a traditional approach with general anesthesia may be a better fit. Dr. Hakimi can discuss this with you during your consultation.

How Soon Can I Return to Work?

Most patients return to work within a week, and some go back even sooner, depending on the physical demands of their job. Desk work and light activity can typically resume within a few days. You’ll want to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for three to four weeks.

Are the Results Permanent?

Breast implants are long-lasting but not lifetime devices. Motiva implants have shown excellent durability in clinical trials, with rupture rates of just 0.6% at three years. Many patients enjoy their results for 10 to 15 years or longer. Dr. Hakimi recommends periodic monitoring to ensure your implants remain in good condition.

How Does Awake Breast Augmentation Differ from the Preservé Technique?

Both awake breast augmentation and Preservé by Motiva (tissue-preservation breast augmentation) are performed using local anesthesia, but there are some key differences. With awake breast augmentation, you can choose from a wide variety of implant sizes and profiles. Preservé is for first-time breast augmentation patients and has some limits on size and style, as the system is designed to work with low-profile Ergonomix implants up to 317 cc.

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