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Can I Combine a Blepharoplasty with Lasik in One Surgery?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Raghu Athre, MD
Question viewed 2,167 times
Tags: combination, timing

Can Lasik surgery be combined with eyelid surgery? I would rather only have one surgery but I want both procedures...Would it be hard to find a doctor who can do both?

26 answers to Can I Combine a Blepharoplasty with Lasik in One Surgery?

+1

Lasik procedure should not be performed at the same time as blepharoplasty

I typically tell my patients that they need to wait at least 2 to 3 months between having any laser correction surgery and Blepharoplasty. This is because proper time is needed to allow the cornea to stabilize.
Kami K. Parsa, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.oculoplastic.info

+2

Lasik Surgery and Blepharoplasty, Raffy Karamanoukian MD

Lasik surgery should not be performed with a blepharoplasty. In fact, patients who have undergone lasik surgery should undergo a more thorough preoperative evaluation if they are contemplating a blepharoplasty at a later time. During your discussion with your physician, emphasize any visual symptoms including dry eyes, changes in vision, or allergic symptoms prior to any procedure on the eye.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Lasik and Blepharoplasty must take place on separate days

No is the answer and there are many reasons. For example, when a blepharoplasty is performed, a corneal shield may be placed to protect the eye while sutures are passed through the upper eyelid tissues. It would be inappropriate to place such a shield until approximately one month after LASIK, as it could dislodge the flap if it were placed immediately after LASIK. Also, after a blepharoplasty, it would not be possible to separate the lids with a lid speculum due to significant soft tissue... more
Joseph W. King, MD

Vancouver Ophthalmologist
+1

Would not combine Lasik with eyelid surgery.

I would not recommend combining both procedures.  Both procedures are going to trigger dry eye.  Lasik surgery triggers some amount of irritation and dry eye symptoms.  Lasik patients frequently use artificial tears to combat these symptoms.  Eyelid surgery patients sometimes have temporary lagophthalmos meaning that their eyelids don't close all the way.  This would exacerbate the irritation from the Lasik and delay healing.  Do the Lasik first. more
Raghu Athre, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.athresurgical.com

+1

Eyelid surgery combined with LASIK

It is not recommended to combine these two surgeries. LASIK surgery treats the cornea and it is important for the cornea to be well lubricated after LASIK in order to heal. Eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty, can lead to dry eye which can complicate your LASIK surgery. Wait at least 3 months after LASIK before eyelid surgery.
Etai Funk, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Can I Combine a Blepharoplasty with Lasik in One Surgery?

I would highly discourage you from having eyelid surgery and LASIK performed at the same time.  There are many reasons for this, but basically I would worry about the cornea.  In fact, after LASIK, I usually recommend that you wait 6 months before eyelid surgery.
Sam Goldberger, MD

Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

www.neweyelids.com

+1

Lasik and Blepharoplasty, can it be done together?

I do not recommend the two procedures be done at the same time. I usually recommend that my patients wait at least  six months after they have had Lasik to have eye lid surgery or after their ophthalmologist clears them medically.  Patients will often have dryness after Lasik surgery and should be well protected after their surgery.
Carlos Wolf, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Lasik Before Bleparoplasty

I would definitely suggest the blepharoplasty after Lasik surgery. There is a chance that you can stretch you eyelid during Lasik surgery and need a ptosis repair in addition to a blepharoplasty.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

innovationsfps.com

+1

You cannot combine eyelid surgery with Lasik surgery in one sitting.

It would be imprudent to try to accomplish both operations at the same time.  The eyelid surgery would have to be done second due to the traction needed to perform the Lasik operation.  Manipulation of the lids could jeopardize the corneal repair.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Don't have concurrent Lasik and blepharoplasty

I would not recommend trying to have your Lasik surgery and blepharoplasty at the same time. You should wait at least 3 months after having had Lasik before considering blepharoplasty surgery. You need to make sure that the corneal flap heals. Also, dry eyes during the Lasik healing process would only be worse if you also had a blepharoplasty.
Thomas A Lamperti, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Don't Combine LASIK With Blepharoplasty

LASIK surgery creates a corneal flap, this flap is delicate and should not be subjected to manipulation for several months.  In addition, both LASIK and blepharoplasty can cause dry eye.  In both cases this is usually temporary, but you would not want to double up on that and injure your cornea.  Finally, LASIK is a procedure with really no outward sign of having had the procedure, there really is no need to combine the recovery with a blepharoplasty since there hardly is... more
Louis W. Apostolakis, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-apo.com

+1

LASIK and Blepharoplasty

LASIK and Blepharoplasty should not be performed at the same setting.  Perform LASIK first and then wait a minimum of 3-6 months prior to having a blepharoplasty.
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Eyelid surgery and lasik

No. Both procedures need to be seprated by at least 6 months. Performing blepharoplasty too soon after lasik may damage the flap that is made durring lasik.
Andres Bustillo, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blepharoplasty should not be combined with LASIK

No, you should not combine LASIK with blepharoplasty.  The procedures will interfere with each other and your recovery.  Although it is not as convenient, doing them as separate procedures is much safer.  Your eyesight and surgical results will be better!
Randy J. Buckspan, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blepharolplasty at the same time as LASIK? NO WAY.

Have your Lasik first and then wait about 3 - 6 months before considering blepharoplasty.  Some patients have dry eye issues after Lasik and a blepharolplasty would have to be very conservative or the dry eye could be made worse.  Also, having a blepharolplasty before Lasik makes your eyelids "tight" and it's a little harder to pry and hold them open while the Lasik is being performed.  Ouch (I speak from personal experience)! I cannot imagine a physician... more
Lisa L. Sowder, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Absolutely not

There are several reasons why refractive surgery and eyelid surgery should not be combined.  1. The eye is a highly sterile organ and the eyelid has normal flora that can infect an exposed cornea surface 2. After Lasik an unstable flap is created which can be displaced by further surgery on the eyelids 3. After surgery on the eyelids, there can be a temporary problem with eyelid closure. This can even be caused by the anesthetic. This would disastrous to do a refractive... more
Chris Thiagarajah, MD

Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Definitely NOT!

I would first find a reputable LASIK surgeon who will perform a thorough eye exam to make sure you are a good candidate.  This should at a minimum include evaluation for corneal thickness, ectasia (topography), dry eye syndrome and eyelid malpositions.  The LASIK should be performed first and then at a minimum of 3 months, a blepharoplasty evaluation can be performed.  During the bleph evaluation, your physician should carefully evaluate for dry eye symptoms, evaluate the tear... more
Bobby S. Korn, MD, PhD

San Diego Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Do Not Combine Lasik with Blepharoplasty

Do not combine lasik with blepharoplasty.  I usually recommend waiting 3-4 months after lasik before having any eyelid procedures done.  It is important to allow the cornea to heal before operating on the eyelids.
David Freilich, MD

Englewood Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Do not combine LASIK and eyelid surgery

 Why not combine LASIK and eyelid surgery? 1. The surgeon performing the second procedure may inadvertantly compromise the           results of the first procedure. 2. Either procedure may result in temporary dryness of the eyes.  LASIK and eyelid               surgery together would lead to an unacceptably high risk of dryness, potentially                 compromising surgical... more
Ronald Friedman, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Eyelid Lift and Laser Vision Correction should not be combined

A combined procedure may be dangerous to your vision as an eyelid lift may unmask a tear deficiency syndrome (dry eye syndrome) and can alter your tear film. Also, laser vision correction will disrupt your corneal sensation, so you may not feel that your eyes are dry. This combination can lead to serious problems. In fact, current recommendations are that patients with prior laser vision correction should wait at least 6 months before undergoing blepharoplasty. Pick the procedure that is... more
Luis Zapiach, MD

Paramus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do not have Lasik Surgery and Blepharoplasty at same time

Many people ask about combining procedures. There can be one anesthesia and recovery time. Some combinations just don't work. Lasik and Blepharoplasty should not be done at the same time. Use of corneal shields during Blepharoplasty may harm the flap done during the Lasik procedure. After the Blepharoplasty, there is swelling that can interfere with the Lasik surgery. The physical set up is very different and in most cases not practical. Bottom line: Don't do them together. Talk with... more
Jeffrey Roth, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Blepharoplasty and Lasik: Not at the Same Time

When considering multiple surgeries, safety trumps convenience; in this case, performing both surgeries at once would simply be unsafe. In fact, I don't know of anyone who would support doing Lasik and Blepharoplasty at the same time. I would recommend that you prioritize your concerns and proceed accordingly in a staged fashion.
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drprendiville.com

+1

Do not combine Lasik surgery with blepharoplasty

Although the eye is protected during blepharoplasty there is always risk that the cornea, the surface of the eye can be slightly injured. If this were to happen immediately after lasix surgery--which is surgery on the cornea--the healing of the cornea from the Lasik could be interfered with. After blepharoplasty surgery, the eye is dry the first week or so. Excessive dryness of the cornea during recovery form Lasik surgery could also interfere with healing. I would not do blepharoplasty at... more
Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

www.drseckel.com

+1

Not a good idea to combine LASIK and Blepharoplasty

It seems hard to imagine that someone would even propose combining these two procedures in a single surgical encounter, but my opinion is that this is not a good idea. If the blepharoplasty was performed first, there would be difficulty opening the eyes in a way needed to perform LASIK and if LASIK was first then the bleph might very well disturb the corneal flap. In addition, most blepharoplasty patients have significant lid swelling making it difficult to open their eyes very much for... more
Jon Dishler, MD

Denver Ophthalmologist
+1

Lasik and blepharoplasty - not a safe combination

The mechanics of the two procedures are in conflict with each other, making them unsafe to perform simulatenously. Blepharoplasty requires manipulation of the eyelids and there can be post-op swelling which would compromise your ability to protect the eye as is critical post-Lasik. Lasik surgery requires holding the eyelids open which would compromise the lid repair performed during blepharoplasty. The risks of combining these procedures significantly increase the chances of blindness - an... more
Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

No, it is not a good idea to perform both a...

No, it is not a good idea to perform both a blepharoplasty and LASIK surgery at the same time. There is too much swelling around the cornea and eyeball to perform both simultaneously. It is best to separate these two surgeries at least one month apart.
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

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