is an upper eyelid lift better under general anesthesia or awake for best results?

An upper eyelid lift can be done safely utilizing any technique.  The important step is precisely measuring the skin with your eyelids closed to make sure that when you are fully recovered, you can close your eyes gently because that's how we sleep and that's how we blink.  Often, upper lid surgery is done with other procedures such as a facelift, breast augmentation or liposuction.

Dear Dolphinddt17Thank you for your question! The 2 surgeries can be done together.  An eyelid surgery does not need to be done awake ! If you need a PTOSIS repair then the surgeon may prefer to to this with you awake - BUT local anesthetic is used along with some sedation so that you are very comfortable. The breast augmentation may be done after this with you asleep.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

I personally perform almost all of my blepharoplasties in the office with the patient awake. It is easier than you think for the patient. However, if you are already in the OR for another procedure, you can have them both done at the same time. I see no reason that doing them in the office under local would be an advantage.Andrew Campbell, M.D.
Facial Rejuvenation Specialist
Quintessa Aesthetic Centers

Thank you for your question.With precise marking, both types of anesthetics are feasible with equal results.  It is true for "ptosis repair" (dropped upper lids seen with aging) to be done when awake, but it is not necessary for an upper blepharoplasty.One one hand it is convenient to have it done along with your breast surgery, to combine the recovery.On the other hand, I do my upper lid surgery (when a single procedure) with local anesthesia but I add a slight twilight sedation to make it more comfortable for my patients.  It is a 45-60 minute procedure and the discomfort is truly minimal, and same results expected.Hope this helps and reassures you.Kind regards,Dr. Marc DuPere, aesthetic plastic surgeon.

Upper blepharoplasty is best done under local anesthesia, rather than general anesthesia, for multiple reasons including 1) safer, 2) quicker recovery, 3) better results since patient can open his/her eyes during the procedure. Local anesthesia can be combined with oral sedation or IV sedation to relax the patient.

The markings for the bleph to determine the amount of skin to excise are done before the surgery.  So it would not really matter if you do it with local (which is how we usually do it ) or with general.  If you are having another surgery done at the same time with general then fine to do your lids at the same time.If someone has a ptosis it can be better to do that under local so that the patient can open and close the eye to check the lid height. 

Thank you for your question.  Upper Blepharoplasty can be performed under both general and local however general is not necessary for this procedure.  Achieving optimal results is based on the surgeon's expertise not the method of sedation.  Upper Blepharoplasty under local does allow for the patient to open and close which can be helpful to the surgeon. General is typically used for lower blepharoplasty for the comfort of the patient.  Best of luck,Dr. Philip Solomon, Solomon Facial PlasticToronto, Canada

Hi,You will be seen preoperatively in either situation so that your surgeon(s) can answer any final questions and make their markings. When done alone, I almost always use local anesthesia only. This saves both time and money and decreases any chance of an unwanted side effect from general anesthesia. However, if you are already going to get general anesthesia for the breast augmentation, you might as well just have the blepharoplasty done at the same time. I do not routinely have my patients opening and closing heir eyes during surgery. Best,

In my opinion there is no difference. The markings should be made while you are awake sitting up in the preop room. Once you go into the surgery room it doesn't matter what type of anesthesia you choose. Typically, local anesthesia is more than adequate for this quick procedure. Good luck.

If your surgeon is performing ptosis repair, then he/she may want you awake.  If it is purely cosmetic, the upper lid surgery can be performed easily in the office or under anesthesia.  Many patients opt to have upper lid surgery awake in the clinic as it saves money (no anesthesia or surgical facility fees) and avoids general anesthesia.  If they are having multiple procedures, they often choose to have anesthesia.