72%
48 reviews
Worth It Rating
Our index shows the percentage of community members saying this was "Worth it". See cosmetic treatment rankings
Pain During Cosmetic Eye Surgery Despite Sedation?
Is there a chance you feel pain with I.V. sedation in eye cosmetic surgery? I'm considering a Brow lift and lower Blepharoplasty, but I'm worried that I will feel some pain during the procedure.
Asked 33 months ago by
Lana in NoCal in California
+1
Intravenous sedation and pain
If the IV sedation is light, it is quite possible the patient will experience a small amount of pain during the surgery, usually during the injections of local anesthetic, and during manipulation of the fat in the upper eyelid.
If the anesthetic is deeper, such as that performed by an anesthesiologist, the patient will be extremely unlikely to experience pain of any kind.
Patients who are very concerned about pain or anxiety during their surgery should consider having sedation performed by...
more
+2
Fat removal from the eyes can be painful
The eyelid surgery is generally well tolerated but some extra local anesthesia is usually needed if there is fat to remove. The gentle pulling on the fat can irritate nerves deeper down than the original local covered.
+1
General anesthesia is preferred
Cosmetic eyelid surgery is painful when the fat is removed from the eyelids. The lower lid happens to be more painful than the upper lid because of the more extensive fat removal. The patient’s safety and comfort is best when the patients are put to sleep briefly under general anesthetic to have this surgery performed. Patients will not remember and feel pain when the fat is removed. The fat does not respond to the local numbing medication.
+1
Well done anesthesia should leave you completely comfortable
Lana in NoCal:
In my practice I have used a variety of methods for carefully selected patients, from local only (rare), to mild sedation plus local, to light general anesthesia. In my current situation we use general anesthesia for most patients (bear in mind that many patients are having combined procedures, such as facelift, etc.).
It is certainly reasonable to expect to be completely comfortable with sedation and local anesthesia. Each surgeon and anesthesia provider (nurse anesthetist...
more
+1
With good anesthesia, should not feel any pain
There are different options for anesthesia during cosmetic eyelid or brow surgery, but in general there is no reason to feel any pain. The procedures are usually done with either IV sedation or general anesthesia, and eyelid surgery can at times be done with the patient awake and with local anesthetic only.
Speak with your surgeon about his plan, but there is little to no risk of pain during the procedure with proper IV sedation or a general anesthetic.
+1
Make sure your've got an Anesthesiologist
Sedation and local can be fine foreyelid surgery, but youhave to make sure it's being done right. You should have a board certified anestheioslogist doing the anesthesia. An operating rooom is preferable, but an office OR is OK if their is an anesthesiologist. Don't accept shortcuts or you'll be taking unnecessary risks.
+1
Good anesthesia trumps pain in eyelid surgery
Under most circumstances a patient under IV sedation will not recollect any pain for eyelid surgery. That said, every person's threshold for good IV sedation differs and that is why a dedicated person administrating the sedation is best. The dept of sedation will determine the perception of pain one realizes. Good local anesthesia, especially when manipulating the medial fat pads will minimize the amount of IV sedation required. Overall, eyelid surgery is tolerated well even by the...
more
Annapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
There is no reason to feel pain.
There are several ways of providing anesthesia for Browlift and Blepharoplasty. The one you mention works very well. Even then, there are options. Once the areas are anesthetized, you will feel only movement, pressure and wet/cold. You may feel the injection to the nerve under the eye and the several nerves just above rim of the orbital bone that establishes the anesthesia, however. If someone like an anesthesiologist is monitoring you, they can give you an IV medication that essentially...
more
+1
General Anesthesia is your only guarantee for no pain
Although both procedures are generally well tolerated under local anesthesia with sedation, general anesthesia is the only way to guarantee no pain. Surgeon preference generally dictates which type of anesthesia is used, but you should talk to your surgeon about your concerns.
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Shouldn't but...
With eye surgery it's easy enough to have the patient sleep while the lids are injected with local anesthetic. However, the brows require a much larger areas of coverage. With that said as long as your plastic surgeon blocks all of the appropriate nerves with a combination of short and long acting agents there shouldn't be a problem.
+1
Usually no pain during facial surgery with IV sedation
Usually, the forehead and lower lids are anesthetized with local anesthetic solution. This should make these areas totally numb for the surgery - even if you would not receive further IV sedation. During the numbing process, the anesthesiologist will give you more medication (including a short-acting narcotic) to provide comfort for this initial (and potentially painful) step in the procedure.
I think IV sedation is a fine anesthesia option for a browlift and lower blepharoplasty.
more
Worcester Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Possible for you to feel pain while on sedation during eyelid surgery
The only way to guarantee that you will not feel pain during a procedure is to have general anesthesia to insure you are completely asleep. I.V. sedation varies greatly in it's effectiveness. Every patient responds differently, some patients require very little to make them comfortable, while others require twice as much. Generally speaking, I.V. sedation is very effective for most patients, but it is no a guarantee that you will not feel discomfort. Anesthetizing you completely for a...
more
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
IV Sedation is a spectrum
IV sedation can vary in the level of consciousness and awareness. It is a spectrum and there are times when you will be more or less sensate. Furthermore, there are times that your body can feel pain and you may react with your vital signs (increased rate and blood pressure) without being consciously aware or having any recall of the pain.
If your concern is feeling anything at all, general anesthesia may be a better choice. Discuss your concerns with your physician and the individual...
more
