What type of pain medication do you prescribe after an upper blepharoplasty procedure?

Question

I am planning an upper blepharlasty to be done at the end of the month. I am concerned with the pain afterward. What type of pain medication do you usually prescribe. My surgeon can do this with a local, but I requested anesthesia because I am a 64 yr old chicken. I am also having tags removed from lower eyelids and 3 face moles shaved.

Marco Carmona, MD · Answer

Hi.
Thank you for your question. An upper blepharoplasty is usually not very painful. I usually prescribe a low dosed mix of ketorolac and tramadol but Ibuprofen helps as well.
Good luck for your surgery 
Dr Marco Carmona MD

David Tauber, MD · Answer

A blepharoplasty is done to remove or reposition the tissue around the eyes to improve the way they look. This can involve removing excess eyelid skin, removing or repositioning the underlying orbital fat, and possibly tightening or repositioning the lid margin. Most of my patients complain of minimal to no pain from an upper lid blepharoplasty. In fact, most do not even pick up the pain medications I prescribe.See the link below for more information. A detailed examination will help delineate the best surgical option. Consultation with a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery would be the next best step.

Stephen T. Greenberg, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  While the discomfort from an upper blepharoplasty is often quite minimal and most patients will end up just taking some extra strength Tylenol, I do prescribe Percocet to my patients in case they require something stronger.  It is important that you avoid taking NSAIDs (Aspirin, Excedrin, Motrin, etc.) in the pre-operative and immediate post-operative period as these over the counter medications can increase your risk of bleeding.  Please discuss your surgeons specific post-operative protocols, including any medications that you will be prescribed, with your operating board certified plastic surgeon directly.  I hope that you find this helpful and I wish you all of the best.

Houtan Chaboki, MD · Answer

Our patients typically have minimal discomfort after eyelid surgery. Pressure or tightness are usually the more common symptoms. We prescribe pain medication if requested. However, over the counter acetaminophen is normally all our patients have taken after eyelid surgery.Best,Dr. Chaboki

David C. Pearson, MD · Answer

Pain after an upper blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery) is surprisingly minimal. Most of my patients will either take Tylenol. Some will take nothing at all! I do prescribe hydrocodone with Tylenol if a patient prefers, but most end up not using it. I expect you'll be pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the whole process is.All the best,--DCPPearson Facial Plastic Surgery®

James C. Marotta, MD · Answer

Pain is minimal to none following an upper blepharoplasty.  Tylenol will usually be enough but I prescribe Vicodin for those patients who need it.

Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS · Answer

Suprisingly there is no significant pain after upper blepharoplasty if appropriate numbing injection is given during sugery. Most patients take very few pain medication after surgery. See following video and link.

Richard W. Westreich, MD · Answer

Pain after an upper blepharoplasty is pretty unusual. I usually prescribe Percocet for all surgical procedures but Tylenol and ice packs usually do the trick.

Nicholas Husni, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

It's possible to get by just with Tylenol and ice after this procedure.  I usually prescribe Vicodin to my patients, unless they request something weaker or stronger, and most patients take the pain medication for a day or two. Don't forget your cold packs!  Best of luck to you.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  There are a variety of options for pain medications which can be prescribed after blepharoplasty.  Some patients just take Tylenol and some take Percocet.  You and your surgeon can decide together what is the best choice for you.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon