How long after a total knee replacement can I have cosmetic surgery? Considering eyelid surgery.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is generally a pretty "clean" procedure and five and a half months from knee surgery should not be an issue. However, antibiotics at the time of surgery is typical just to be on the safe side. Check with your orthopedic surgeon first regarding any specific recommendations, but you should be okay in that regard.As for help at home, I generally recommend that my patients have a responsible adult with them for the first 24 hours in case the patient is dizzy, lightheaded, or bleary-eyed. Wound care after eyelid surgery is pretty basic and consists of cold compresses to the eyelids and ointment to the external incisions (if any). Otherwise my patients are up and around right away.All the best,--DCPPearson Facial Plastic Surgery®

Certainly 5 months is enough. Your plastic surgeon will probably put you on antibiotics. Eyelid surgery is not considered risky surgery regarding infections like colon or even surgery to the oral cavity.Thank you for question, and good luck.

It is reasonable to consider a clean surgery such as blepharoplasty now, assuming that your knee is "healed." That being said eyelid surgery is pretty low risk for infection and most will place you on a short course of antibiotic if concerned. Consult with a board certified plastic or oculoplastic surgeon to formulate a plan. And if concerned ask your ortho physician if it's ok to proceed.

When performed as a sterile procedure, eyelid surgeries have a very low rate of infection. Eyelid surgeries are also generally much less invasive than other surgeries. I have my patients on antibiotics during and after surgery to minimize this risk even further. If a patient is having general anesthesia, it is best to have someone stay with them for 24 hours as the effects of anesthesia can linger for several hours and affect motor function and memory. Local anesthesia does not interfere with function or memory and is a safer option however you may still want some assistance at home in case your vision is initially blurry from swelling or eye drops/ointment. Hope this helps!

Johnson C. Lee, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

It is absolutely fine to have Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery after a total knee replacement. Eyelid surgery is considered a "clean" operation and poses a very low risk for infection. However, you must speak to your Orthopedic Surgeon to ask about possibly using antibiotics prior to any other surgery.

Thanks for your question. The risk of infection from eyelid surgery is vanishingly small. However, your doctor will probably give you an antibiotic around the time of your surgery just to be safe. You should probably touch base with your orthopedist as well to let them know what you're thinking. If you're just having your upper lids done, you probably wouldn't need help at home. If you have uppers and lowers, you might want someone around that day depending on the type of anesthesia they use. Also, depending on the approach for your lower lids you might have to use antibiotic ointment on your eyes to help you to heal which can make your vision blurry, so it would be good to have help. Good luck with everything!

Five months after knee replacement should be ok to proceed with eyelid surgery.  Certainly you should clear this with both your eyelid surgeon and your knee surgeon.  Most doctors would recommend preoperative antibiotics prior to any other procedure (including dental work).   If you are still doing a lot of physical therapy, let your surgeon know.  Most patients are not allowed to exercise for 1-2 weeks after eyelid surgery to ensure good healing.   Finally, the post op care usually just requires ice packs and antibiotics, but you may be a little blurry for a few days.  So you may be able to get along without help, but obviously use your best judgement.   Best of luck!