Are You Awake During Blepharoplasty Surgery?

Yes, it is possible to have the surgery performed while you’re awake. I usually perform the procedure under general anesthesia or local anesthesia and intravenous sedation for added comfort. 

Blepharoplasty surgery can either be done under local, IV conscious sedation, or with general anesthesia; but local anesthesia is a very common way of doing it. This means that the patient will be awake throughout the procedure.

I usually perform blepharoplasty using local anesthesia and an oral medications to relax patients. General anesthesia is still an option, though it may prolong the recovery time. Blepharoplasty helps rejuvenate your look by lifting and tightening lids and respositioning fat. You should look better rested and more alert, but natural. I hope this helps.

Blepharoplasty or an Eyelid Lift, both upper and lower can be performed awake or asleep depending upon your comfort and the comfort of your surgeon.  Local anesthesia combined with topical and oral medication to decrease pain and increase relaxation, can provide a comfortable experience for patients who want to avoid going completely asleep with anesthesia.    I routinely perform these procedures in this way; "local with  oral sedation".   Alternatively, if a patient is extremely anxious or nervous about the procedure, it can be done with intravenous sedation or twilight anesthesia under the care of an anesthesiologist.   This is akin to the kind of anesthesia you get for colonoscopy.   In some medical circumstances, like asthma, reflux or obesity, general anesthesia may be the preferred method of anesthesia for these surgeries. 

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is commonly done using just a local anesthesia injection. You're totally awake in this case. Some patients prefer more sedation which is certainly an option as well if you choose. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is usually done with more anesthesia but this depends on what if being done exactly.