Is it safe to have eyelid surgery while pregnant?

Question

I am 10 weeks pregnant and I'm scheduled to have an eyelid surgery. It will be local anesthesia, also it's a lifting. So my question is, is it safe for me to go ahead and go thru it?

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

We do not have studies in plastic surgery literature that are addressing this issue. However, dental procedures are very frequent in pregnant women due to increased level of periodontal problems during pregnancy; based on these reports local anesthesia doesn't seem to affect mother and/or fetus regardless of maturity of pregnancy.Considering that blapharoplasty is highly elective procedure delaying this procedure until pregnancy is over would be wise. Good luck.

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

I think that you would be better off waiting until after you deliver before having any kind of an elective cosmetic procedure during pregnancy.  The decision to wait is the right decision on several levels.  If for some reason something goes wrong during your "minor procedure" you may have to be put under general anesthesia to save your vision.  Need I say more?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

You should absolutely not have this surgery now. If you had a medically necessary issue, your doctor would have to wrestle with the risk to the health of your first trimester unborn baby. This is presumably cosmetic eyelid surgery. Call your surgeon today and cancel surgery. If they are telling you it is okay to have surgery, they need to be reported to your state medical board. Congratulations.

Matthew Bridges, MD, FACS · Answer

I would not recommend having cosmetic surgery while pregnant.  There is minimal risk to the baby, but it's not worth it.  You should discuss this with your OB/GYN and your plastic surgeon.  I wouldn't do the surgery.

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Thank you for sharing question. No, it is not safe for your unborn child. The likelihood of a problem is very small, but it is not worth the risk. Please postpone the operation until after your baby is born. CONGRATS!Good luck,

Charles Nduka, MD · Answer

It would be best to postpone the eyelid surgery until at least after pregnancy. Undergoing surgery while pregnant has associated risks not only for you but also for the baby, especially with anaesthetic use.

J. Timothy Heffernan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Please post pone your upper blepharoplasty until after you deliver your baby and are done breast feeding. It is not safe for you to have an elective cosmetic procedure while pregnant. Best of luck, Dr. Heffernan

Robert Singer, MD · Answer

No ethical plastic surgeon would recommend having elective cosmetic surgery while pregnant. Robert Singer MD  FACSLa Jolla, California

Piotr Osuch, MD · Answer

I absolutely don't recommend it, even if it's under local anesthesia. Pregnant women shouldn't have any plastic surgeries done. This also applies to minor/ no invasive treatments such as Botox injections. It's better to wait till you finish  breastfeeding. 
Best regards, 
Piotr Osuch, MD, PhD

Joshua A. Halpern, MD, PA · Answer

I do not recommend having eyelid surgery while pregnant. The numbing medicine and the procedure can effect the pregnancy. This is an elective procedure and it would be much wiser to wait until after your baby is born. I hope you find this information useful. Please watch the enclosed video.

Is it safe to have eyelid surgery while pregnant?

Answers (14)

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