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Are You Awake During Blepharoplasty Surgery?

asked 1 year ago by just in NY
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 719 times
Tags: anesthesia

I hear that blepharoplasty is done with local anesthesia does this mean you are awake?

33 answers to Are You Awake During Blepharoplasty Surgery?

+1

Local Anesthesia and Blepharoplasty

While blepharoplasty can be done under local, we perform blepharoplasty with sedation or general anesthetic depending on the approach to ensure the comfort of the patient.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drkrisreddy.com

+1

Eyelid Surgery typically doen under anesthesdia

I have performed Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery, for well over 20 years and have performed the vast majority...well over 99%, under general anesthesia. The few cases, where I did eyelid surgery under a local were for very specific reasons...having to do with those particular patients. Eyelid Surgery, especially of the lower eyelids is very delicate surgery and in the case of Lower Blepharoplasty is performed through incisions on the inside of the lower eyelid... more
Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blepharoplasty and anesthesia options

Blepharoplasty surgery is best done under a general anesthesia.  The little fat pads on both the upper and lower lids are painful to have removed so it is better to be under general anesthesia.  It is important to have a board certified anesthesiologist and make sure that the surgery center where it is being performed is licensed and certified.  Occasionally it is on the upper lids if patient needs a skin only removal that can be done under a local anesthesia.   more
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

+1

Blepharoplasty under local anesthesia vs sedation vs general anesthsia

Blepharoplasty can be performed under local anesthesia, local anesthesia with sedation (twilight anesthesia), or under general anesthesia.  In my practice, if I am performing a blepharoplasty without other procedures, I usually perform the procedure under local anesthesia with mild sedation.
Vincent D. Lepore, MD

San Jose Plastic Surgeon
+1

Awake During Eyelid Surgery?

Blepharoplasty surgery can either be done under local, IV conscious sedation, or with general anesthesia; but local anesthesia is a very common way of doing it. This means that the patient will be awake throughout the procedure.
S. Ozan Sozer, MD

El Paso Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for lower lid bleph

Eyelid surgery can be done awake with oral sedation or IV sedation - most oculoplastic surgeons prefer the patient to be awake and interactive.  Having the patient open and close during the procedure can help assure the correct amount of skin and fat is being removed and assess for symmetry throughout the procedure.  Some surgeons also do the surgery under general anesthesia or deeper sedation depending on the comfort level of the patient or surgeon.
Keshini Parbhu, MD

Orlando Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.orlandoeyeopener.com

+1

Awake or Asleep for Eyelid Lift

Blepharoplasty or an Eyelid Lift, both upper and lower can be performed awake or asleep depending upon your comfort and the comfort of your surgeon.  Local anesthesia combined with topical and oral medication to decrease pain and increase relaxation, can provide a comfortable experience for patients who want to avoid going completely asleep with anesthesia.    I routinely perform these procedures in this way; "local with  oral sedation".   Alternatively, if... more
James C. Marotta, MD

Long Island Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.marottamd.com

+1

Anesthesia during Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Surgery

Hi just, The decision among the anesthesia options is made between you and your plastic surgeon. Typically, IV sedation or general anesthesia is used for eyelid surgery. Some patients who have minor eyelid surgery might possibly be performed under local anesthesia. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a surgeon help determine appropriate options for you. Best of luck. Dr. Chaboki
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.potomacplasticsurgery.com

+1

Type of anesthesia for blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is commonly done using just a local anesthesia injection. You're totally awake in this case. Some patients prefer more sedation which is certainly an option as well if you choose. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is usually done with more anesthesia but this depends on what if being done exactly.
Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anaesthesia for blepharoplasty surgery

Blepharoplasty surgery may be performed under straight local anaesthesia where the patient is fully awake, although patients may benefit from sedation in addition. The type of eyelid surgery performed, whether it is upper or lower eyelids or both, and whether or not deeper tissues need to be operated on will influence the choice of anaesthesia.
Olivia Hutchinson, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Local anesthesia best for blepharoplasty

I feel strongly that local anesthesia is best for blepharoplasty.  It allows the surgeon to adjust the procedure in 'real time'.  I have a special operating table that sits the patient up during surgery and I have found that this allow me to make fine adjustments in the amount of tissue removed that leads to a more accurate result.
Richard Weiss, MD

Newport Beach Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Awake blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid surgery is often performed under local anesthesia, but this does depend on exactly what procedure is planned. Lower eyelid surgery tends to be more extensive and is usually performed under sedation or general anesthesia.
Steven Goldman, MD

Cleveland Plastic Surgeon
+1

Are You Awake During Blepharoplasty Surgery?

Blepharoplasty surgery can be done however you  like. My primary concerns are my patient's comfort and getting them the best possible result. I prefer to do blepharoplasty with IV sedation, which is given by an anesthesiologist. Local anesthetic or freezing is then injected under the skin using a very fine needle. Because the patient is responsive, I can have him or her open and close their eyes to help me judge what I need to do. This is a very comfortable way to... more
Eric Pugash, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Are You Awake During Blepharoplasty Surgery?

Blepharopalsty can be done with local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia. Usually, some type of sedation is preferred. Patients have described it as more comfortable than dental surgery.
Mohsen Tavoussi, MD, DO

Huntington Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blepharoplasty

It is certainly possible to perform a simple blepharoplasty under local anesthesia. But more involved blepharoplasties may require anesthesia.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty can be done four ways. It can be done under pure local anesthesia. This is advisable only for minor upper lid procedures. One can use local anesthesia with oral sedation such as Valium, etc. This, too, is good only for relatively minor procedures. You can also do it under local anesthesia with conscious sedation. You are still technically awake, but this puts you out where you are essentially not aware of what is going on.The last is general anesthesia that... more
Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia during eyelid surgery

Generally, eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty, is done with local anesthesia (numbing injections) and some sort of conscious sedation (twilight). Depending on the preference of my patient, this is either done in my office procedure room with pill relaxing medicine or in my surgery center with an anesthesiologist and relaxing medicine given through an I.V. While technically-speaking, patients are awake in the sense they are not paralyzed and do not have a breathing tube, most of my patients do... more
Gregory J. Vipond, MD

Pasadena Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty may be performed with local anesthetic or conscious sedation. It's your choice.

In my practice, upper blepharoplasty is performed in under an hour, and comfortably with local anesthetic. If you're anxious, or if you would prefer to have amnesia for the procedure, IV sedation may be safely used. In either case you should have around one week of downtime. I hope this is helpful for you. Regards from NJ.
Eric M. Joseph, MD

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for Blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed under local anesthesia with or without sedation.  Lower eyelid surgery can be a bit more uncomfortable and generally sedation is preferred.  IV sedation can make the procedure seem very quick for the patient and they have little to no recollection of the surgery.  Certainly, it is best to have the patient comfortable to keep their blood pressure in normal range to limit bleeding and bruising.
Glen Brooks, MD

Springfield Plastic Surgeon
+1

If you want to be!

I routinely do upper blepharoplasty in patients under IV sedation and I routinely do them with patients wide awake without any sedative at all ( these patients are numbed up with a local anesthetic only). Lower blepharoplasty can be done either way as well. Because it is generally a little longer of a procedure and a bit more invasive, I prefer to do them with IV sedation to make sure the patient is most comfortable. However, for both upper and lower blepharoplasties I generally assess... more
Jasmine Mohadjer, MD

Clearwater Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Eyelid surgery can be done with just local, local with sedation, and local and general anesthesia.

There is no question that there is much more control and finesse when eyelid surgery is performed under light sedation or simply local anesthesia.  This permits the patient to cooperate to simple commands, like open and close your eyes.  The surgeon can monitor the surgery and adjust the surgery based on how the eyelids move.  This permits much more accurate results than can be accomplished if you are out cold under general anesthesia.  If you are nervous about being... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Eyelid surgery, local with sedation should do

It is possible to complete a lower or an upper lid blepharoplasty under a local anesthetic alone,, the experience is better for you and your surgeon with sedation to keep you in a relaxed and comfortable mood. Lid surgery is safe either way but with sedation the stress is off, and your can focus ahead on your recovery. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Anesthesia for Blepharoplasty

Although lower eyelid blepharoplasty is possible under local anesthesia alone, I would not recommend it. Upper eyelid procedures are fine to do under local. It is more of a surface procedure and patient comfort is OK. Even a skin pinch procedure is difficult for patients under local anesthesia. If fat removal is also needed, then sedation is clearly the way to go. The lower eyelids and eyelid fat are just too sensitive to do under local anesthesia alone. In my experience,... more
Richard W. Westreich, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blepharoplasty Local or General Anesthesia

Eyelid surgery can be performed with local anesthesia (fully awake), local with sedation (might have some recall) or general anesthesia (fully asleep). The choice depends on you and your surgeon, though the majority of time local with sedation or general anesthesia is used for blepharoplasty. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and these should be discussed as part of your consultation. see video
Joseph Mele, MD

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
+1

You are napping

I do most of my blepharoplasties under mild sedation and local anesthesia. You are really asleep and feel nothing other than the intra-venous being started. My anesthesiologist makes sure you have a nice nap and wake up refreshed.
William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Type of anesthesia for blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty can be done under local anesthesia only or with IV sedation. In my practice, 90% of upper lid and 10% of lower lid blepharoplasties are done under local anesthesia only, half are supplemented with oral Valium. The rest choose to have IV sedation.
Peter T. Truong, MD

Fresno Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.facialsurgerydr.com

+1

Blepharoplasty can be done done awake or asleep.

Blepharoplasty can be done done awake or asleep with the choice up to you. The choice depends on what you are most comfortable with.
Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Bleph

Upper eyelids can be done with local sedation unless a patient is restless and anxious-I don't  do lower eyelid surgery under local because it is more difficult on the patient.
Edward J. Bednar, MD

Charlotte Plastic Surgeon
+1

Local Anesthesia with Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty surgeries (Upper and Lower) are some of the best procedures to help restore a more "refreshed" appearance.   These are commonly performed under LOCAL anesthesia similar to removing a mole from the skin.  In addition, patients also typically receive oral medication such as Valium to help them relax. Heavier anesthesia can be used, but is unnecessary as the procedure only takes about 20 minutes to perform.
Jon E. Mendelsohn, MD

Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.351face.com

+1

Are You Awake During Blepharoplasty Surgery?

There a three options for anesthesia if doing "both" upper and lower lids. 1st Local only can be done. Much easier if only for upper lids, but can do lowers but very hard with a patient who might be anxious. 2. Local with IV sedation is the most common method of anesthesia in this surgery. Finally 3rd, is a Local with a LMA or endotracheal tube (general), If lower lids need a cantopexy/plasty than this methods is best. Hope this helps Dr. B in MIAMI 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blepharoplasty

An upper blepharoplasty can be done under local anesthesia or with IV sedation. If a patient decided to have their lower eyelids done, I would recommend anesthesia. The incision needs to be in the lashline. This is delicate and requires precision. Some fat is normally removed as well as re-draping of the skin after removing excess skin.
Michael A. Fiorillo, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Awake or asleep

It is absolutely your choice to be awake or asleep during this procedure.  Some people prefer to be asleep because of the closeness to the eyes which can be disconcerting.  If I had a choice I would suggest that my patient be sedated or asleep. 
Jonathan Saunders, MD

Newark Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blepharoplasty is performed under local or conscious sedation

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is commonly perfomed under both awake local anesthesia (usually with a Xanax or Valium to make it easier), as well as IV sedation (for those who can't imagine being awake during eyelid surgery!) In our operating room, 90% of isolated upper eyelid blepharoplasties are performed under local.  Typically most patients are quite happy to skip the cost of sedation and the more involved medical workup.  Most surgeons make it easy with fun nurses, good... more
Tanuj Nakra, MD

Austin Oculoplastic Surgeon

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