I need to have upper and lower blepharoplasty, but am a smoker. Would a good surgeon still take me on?

It should not really make a difference for eyelid surgery. In general we suggest you cut down smoking before and after surgery. You will likely have prolonged swelling after and as long as you are understanding of the longer recovery associated and risks associated, you should be fine to undergo the surgery. Each surgeon will have his/her own preferences. The smoking can potentially affect the results and the outcome, however, after having performed many of these in smokers- my experience is that as long as the above is understood, its ok to proceed. 

Dear yeabuddyThank you for your question!  To decrease the risk of complications - it is best not to be smoking. Each surgeon will have their own criteria for operative risk and smaoking.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

It is always good to stop or reduce smoking; however eyelid surgery done with proper minimal invasive technique will heal fine even if smoker but may heal slower. There are always exceptions. Best to see an oculoplastic surgeon for evaluation.

For optimal healing after an upper and lower blepharoplasty, I would recommend no cigarettes for one month before the surgery until 2 weeks after the surgery.  Each surgeon will have their own preferences in regards to smoking in relation to cosmetic surgery though.  

Thanks so much for your question.  The good news about eyelid surgery is that it's a very vascularized area of the body.  Although it's best not to smoke when having elective surgery, it's an area that would be less affected by smoking than other areas.  Wound healing should still be fine in smokers.  I would encourage you to stop smoking for a short period of time before and after your surgery, but I would still offer you surgery for this type of a procedure either way.  Hope this helps.

Yeabuddy, I encourage all of my patients to quit smoking for two weeks before and two weeks after their elective surgery. For some procedures it is required for others it is strongly advised. Eyelid/brow surgery can be done in a smoker but it isn't ideal. Make sure you see an experienced plastic surgeon that operates on only faces and is familiar with the "SOOF lift blepharoplasty". Make sure you don't need your brows done versus your upper lids. See the video and good luck!

 Smokers have a higher complication rate, therefore it's always best to try to stop smoking before and after your elective cosmetic surgery.  It should be acceptable to undergo upper /lower blepharoplasty on smokers, since the blood supply in the eyelids is so good in the eyelids heal rather quickly. For many before-and-after  eyelid surgery examples,  please see video below

As a physician, I first feel compelled to tell you that smoking is a really bad habit.  I know that you have heard this so many times.  It is worth repeating.  The commercials that you see regarding the complications of smoking are NOT exaggerated.  Having made that point let's move on.  Smoking indeed impairs wound healing.  However, I believe that eyelid surgery performed on a smoker can be done because the circulation to the eyelid area is quite good. If you are also considering a facelift, then cessation of smoking is paramount.  Try to use your operation as a trigger to stop smoking and maximize your chances for excellent healing.  Good luck.

As a basic rule, being a smoker slows the healing process.  The good news is that eyelids have an amazingly good blood supply and they heal very quickly.  For that reason, it is acceptable to have eyelid surgery when you are a smoker.  However, as you know, it would be better if you could stop smoking.