Is Eyelid Surgery painful? Are patients usually put under general anesthesia or can they be awake?

Thank you for your question about eyelid surgery.Eyelid surgery typically is not very painful compared to the many other surgeries plastic surgeons do.It usually can be done awake or under general anesthesia.



To be sure, see two or more experienced,
board-certified Plastic Surgeons, occuloplastic surgeons or facial ENT surgeons in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are
a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have surgery.



I hope this helps.

Eyelid surgery can be performed under a variety of anesthesia techniques.  The decision of the type of anesthesia to use is up to the surgeon and the patient, and the anesthesiologist if there is one being used for the procedure.  Generally speaking, if the eyelid surgery is the only procedure being done, I believe most surgeons would perform this without general anesthesia.  The procedure can comfortably be done with IV sedation and local anesthesia.  If there are multiple procedures being done, then it is possible that a general anesthesia would be preferable.  For most patients, there is not significant pain after the procedure.  Sometimes Tylenol may be all that is needed or some surgeons may prescribe a stronger pain medication if needed.