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. 

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 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.

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. 

Hi just,

The decision among the anesthesia options is made between you and your plastic surgeon. Typically, IV sedation or general anesthesia is used for eyelid surgery. Some patients who have minor eyelid surgery might possibly be performed under local anesthesia. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a surgeon help determine appropriate options for you. Best of luck.

Dr. Chaboki

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.

Upper eyelid surgery is often performed under local anesthesia, but this does depend on exactly what procedure is planned. Lower eyelid surgery tends to be more extensive and is usually performed under sedation or general anesthesia.

Blepharoplasty surgery can be done however you  like.

My primary concerns are my patient's comfort and getting them the best possible result.

I prefer to do blepharoplasty with IV sedation, which is given by an anesthesiologist. Local anesthetic or freezing is then injected under the skin using a very fine needle.

Because the patient is responsive, I can have him or her open and close their eyes to help me judge what I need to do.

This is a very comfortable way to undergo the surgery. Patients remember very little, are quickly alert once the procedure has ended, and can get on their way without the drowsiness and nausea of a general anesthetic.

In my practice, upper blepharoplasty is performed in under an hour, and comfortably with local anesthetic. If you're anxious, or if you would prefer to have amnesia for the procedure, IV sedation may be safely used. In either case you should have around one week of downtime.

I hope this is helpful for you.

Regards from NJ.

There is no question that there is much more control and finesse when eyelid surgery is performed under light sedation or simply local anesthesia.  This permits the patient to cooperate to simple commands, like open and close your eyes.  The surgeon can monitor the surgery and adjust the surgery based on how the eyelids move.  This permits much more accurate results than can be accomplished if you are out cold under general anesthesia.  If you are nervous about being aware, rest assured that even under local, surgery is quite comfortable.  However, intravenous sedation is helpful for nervous individuals.  Some of the drugs used keep you cooperative but you may not even have a memory of what transpired during surgery.