Is it safe to get a blepharoplasty in the doctor's office?

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9 answers to “Is it safe to get a blepharoplasty...”

A: Best done in a surgery center not an office setting

By William Portuese, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Surgical procedures are best performed in a Medicare-certified surgery center. Removing fat from the eyelids tends to be very painful and uncomfortable, so sedation is required. When sedation is required, instrumentation for heart rate, oxygen, and blood pressure all need to be performed, which is best done... more

A: Do what you feel comfortable with regarding your eyelid surgery

By Sam Speron, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Hi Brook, Thank you for your question. It depends on the exact procedure that is being done. Some procedures can be done under local anesthesia and therefore, can be performed in the office. However, other procedures may require sedation to make the procedure more comfortable for the patient. This would... more

A: Regulations vary according to Anesthesia administered.

By Richard Gentile, MD - Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

In most states office based surgery is regulated if more than mild sedation is given. If your surgery is done with local anesthesia or local plus mild oral sedation it may not be regulated. Upper blepharoplasty is a low risk and usually low pain procedure so if you are not being given... more

A: Go where you are comfortable.

By Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD - Los Angeles Oculoplastic surgeon

Dear Brook607 There is nothing wrong with having blepharoplasty in an office operating room environment. The key is your comfort level. Personally I favor performing eyelid surgery with my patient awake so I can judge the effect of the upper blepharoplasty. WIth the patient awake the... more

A: Ask more questions

By William B. Rosenblatt, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Most of the time the procedure is done using not only local but also some sedation. The most important fact is to see that the Office has an operating room that is certified by one of the three certifying agencies. AAAASF, AASF or the Joint Comission. As blephs are usually done as an out patient, it is... more

A: Accreditation for office based surgery is a must

By Peter E. Johnson, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Eyelid rejuvenation can be performed under local anesthesia, though most of our patients prefer sedation to make the experience more comfortable. Safety is the most important consideration in selecting where a cosmetic procedure will be done. Cosmetic surgery is often performed in private in-office surgery... more

A: What is available in the office?

By Robin T.W. Yuan, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

If you are just getting your upper lids done by removing excess skin, this can usually easily be done under local anesthesia, like taking off a skin lesion. More difficult procedures like removing fat of the lower lid will require more instruments and assistance with a surgical technician or nurse. Cautery to... more

A: Certified OR should be fine in a doctor's office

By Hisham Seify, MD, PhD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Procedures done under local anesthesia could be done in a doctor's office. This applies well to skin lesions etc. Eyelid surgery is a little more complex. Many offices have a separate Operating Room; it is perfectly fine to do upper lids in this setting. If sedation needs to be used, a certified OR will be... more

A: Many if not most plastic surgeons have their own surgery center

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in private practice operate in their own nationally certified surgery centers (ie AAAASF certified) in their offices. If this is what the doctor you spoke to has to offer, it is perfectly safe to do a blepharoplasty there. If they do not have a certified... more