Eyelid Surgery: Q&A
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Please Give me Advice: Blepharoplasty (photo)
I am planning to have blep on my upper eyelids but want to know the risks beforehand... A surgeon told me there is no risk of going blind because of the anatomy of the eye this can only occur from lower blep..... Is this true?
Also please tell me can I have it done without going to sleep I am very scared of being put to sleep never been under anesthesia, thanks
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19 Doctor Answers |
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BrigetteLA
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Please Give me Advice: Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery is easily accomplished with local anesthesia and is quite safe. Having said that I would strongly discourage you from undergoing the procedure. Your eyes are extremely attractive as they are and I think you have much more to lose than to gain with surgery.
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Is an Upper Blepharoplasty necessary?
As plastic surgeons, we only want to perform surgery when the benefit of surgery outweighs the risks. Your photos show you to be a very attractive and youthful woman. So I don't immediately see the "benefit" of doing a blepharoplasty on you. Is it for asymmetry of the upper eyelid folds? If so, that is a fairly easy procedure to perform under local anesthesia. Blindness is an extremely rare complication of blepharoplasty surgery due to a retrobulbar hematoma....
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Blepharoplasty Advice
In looking at your photographs you appear to have a youthful appearance to your eyes and do not appear to need any eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery can be done using local anesthesia with sedation and general anesthesia can be avoided. The risk of blindness following eyelid surgery is due to the risk of a retro-orbital hematoma (bleeding behind the eye) and this can occur with either upper or lower eyelid surgery.
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Eyelid surgery, anesthesia & precautions.
It is healthy to have a concern about any surgery and anesthesia. These are not casual decisions for the patient or the surgeon. When considering upper eyelid surgery, this often can be performed under local anesthesia perhaps supplemented with some oral Valium (diazepam) or similar relaxant which can be taken before we even begin. But even when sedation or other deeper anesthesia is utilized, these are considered very safe in a healthy person when performed by a well -trained board...
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Don't do it. . .yet
Based on your photos you may want to wait. Technically, you can't say there's no chance of blindness but it's so low you're chances of hitting the lottery are better. Make it minimal, whatever you do.
Chase Lay, MD
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Upper Blepharplasty Advice
Since you have no indications for upper eyelid surgery, I would advise you not to do it. Aesthetic facial plastic surgery is designed to address aging changes or anatomical findings that can be improved with surgery. Since you will not have improvement with surgery, upper eyelid Blepharoplasty is actually contraindicated. Blindness is an exceedingly rare complication from upper eyelid Blepharoplasty; the incidence per year in this country is probably close to zero. I have never seen it...
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Blepharoplasty complications and anesthesia
Blindness can occur from either upper or lower blepharoplasty but is exceedingly rare. We have never seen it in our practice in over 22 years. While you are able to have an upper blepharoplasty performed under local anesthesia, patients will have a conscious awareness of the procedure, and removal of the fat pads is painful. The fat pads do not numb up with local numbing medication and is why we usually perform these under general anesthesia.
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Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty can be done under local anesthesia and does not require general anesthesia except for in specific cases. There are many risks that should be reviewed in detail with your surgeon prior to having surgery, especially around your eye. I generally inform all my patients that with any surgery in and around the eyes, there is a risk of blindness and that can be temporary or permanent, and depends on the technique, and the individual patient. Consult with a board...
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Blindness is not a concern.
Though there have been reported cases of blindness from blepharoplasty, the risk is essentially zero when only skin is removed, which is usually the case.
Blepharoplasty is very commonly performed under only local anesthesia very safely.
Having alleviated your concerns, I tend to agree, that based on your photos, you currently do not have a need for upper blepharoplasty. Your eyes are very natural and youthful appearing, and you do not want to hollow your eyes at such an early age.
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Risk of Upper Eyelid Surgery or Blepharoplasty
All surgery has some risk. Upper eyelid surgery risk includes but not limited to asymmetry, dry eyes, scarring, bleeding, or infection. Fortunately, these risks are low. The risk of blindness, while theoretically possible, is essentially unheard of. Upper eyelid surgery may also be performed via local anesthesia, in the office while you are awake. Selection of the anesthesia type is based on the procedure, surgeon, and patient. Based on the photographs provided, I don't think you need...
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Upper bleph not needed.
I agree with all of the other surgeons' comments in that you do not appear to need an upper bleph and risks are usually very limited.
If you desire a little lift of the brow to open the eye, some neuromodulator like Botox, Dysport would give a few millimeters lift without surgery.
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Save your money!
Please save your money. Your photographs show excellent eye dimensions and appearance. Your brow is possibly a bit low but, you did not submit full face photo’s. Best,
Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS
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Risk Are Remote But Not Zero
All procedures have risks. Fortunately the risks are very low in skilled hands but still possible. The upper blepharoplasty procedure can be performed under local anesthesia safely and comfortably. Risks include bleeding, infection, unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, reoperation, dry eye symptoms, difficulty closing the eyes, lid drooping, corneal irritation, abrasion, eye injury and yes even blindness. Having said that, most patients do extremely well and these dreaded...
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Upper Blepharoplasty Risks & Anesthesia
Although the risks of upper blepharoplasty, especially under local anesthesia, are very small, they do include blindness (though very much less so than lower blepharoplasty). Because of that, I do agree with Dr. DeMars that you have much more to lose than to gain from a blepharoplasty, at least from your picture. I would, therefore, not do any eye surgery on you.
Highlands Plastic Surgeon
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Upper blepharoplasty
An upper blepharoplasty can be done under local but if fat is removed medially it can be a bit uncomfortable under local only. BTW, at least by your photos, it does not look like you need a blepharoplasty.
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Your potential surgeon is either ignorant or being intentionally deceptive.
The risk of going blind as a result of cosmetic eyelid surgery is approximately one case in 30,000. Rare but definitely not zero. Upper eyelid surgery can result in vision threatening hemorrhage just as is associated with lower eyelid surgery.
Surgeons who perform cosmetic eyelid surgery under general anesthesia do so at a significant disadvantage to themselves and their patients. This is especially so for the upper eyelid because having the patient open and close the...
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Risks of blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, as with any surgery, has risks, but the risks are very low if performed correctly with appropriate preoperative measures. The general risks are same as those for any dental procedure! The risk of blindness, specifically, are extremely rare; less than the risk of getting into major car accident!
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Upper Blepharoplasty - Don't be aggressive
My approach to upper eyelid surgery is to be conservative with skin excision, and to reserve excision of fat for patients with significant fat excess. In my opinion, aggressive removal of upper eyelid skin and fat is a 'skeletonizing' procedure which risks making eyes appear more deep-set and aged, rather than younger. In fact, in many patients I perform structural fat grafting (using the patient's own fat, from the abdomen or hips) to help restore soft tissue volume around the eyes.
The...
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Please Give me Advice: Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery is very safe. It can be performed in the office under local anesthesia without any sedation or general anesthesia and typically takes about 30 minutes. With that said, the photos you submit show very youthful upper eyelids and a nice upper eyelid crease. You do have a slight asymmetry with excess upper eyelid skin in your right upper eyelid compared with your left but this is very subtle. I hope this information is helpful.
Stephen Weber, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Lone Tree...
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