Are you awake during eyelid surgery?

Author: Brock Bogan  |  Last update: Wednesday, August 2, 2023

The surgery itself usually lasts between one and three hours. To keep you comfortable during your procedure, you will be given local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs the eyelid and surrounding area, while keeping you sedated but awake during surgery.

Do they put you to sleep for upper eyelid surgery?

Local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are frequently used for patients undergoing upper eyelid surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. The local anesthetic is usually administered as a diffuse superficial slowly subcutaneous injection along the upper lid skin crease.

Is eyelid surgery done awake?

Are you awake during droopy eyelid surgery? In an Awake Blepharoplasty, patients are completely conscious during the procedure. The local anesthesia is usually paired with a soothing sedative to help the patient stay calm and relaxed.

Is eyelid surgery painful?

Eyelid surgery is among the least painful cosmetic procedures. Aside from minimal discomfort on the day, you'll have a quick recovery and see the results swiftly. So the procedure isn't very painful, but you may have other questions.

Do you need to be put to sleep for eyelid surgery?

A blepharoplasty can be done under local anaesthetic with sedation or under general anaesthetic.

Will I Be Awake During Eyelid Surgery?

How painful is droopy eyelid surgery?

Generally, an upper lid blepharoplasty is a non painful procedure that patients can usually have performed, and enjoy a minimal amount of post-operative pain medicine, because the procedure is very mild. It's almost like a skin excision, and the eyelid itself is not particularly painful.

How painful is eyelid surgery recovery?

According to a study published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, pain tends to peak around 4.4 hours after surgery. Likewise, swelling peaks at 17 hours, blurred vision at 8.7 hours, and bruising at 33.6 hours. The pain is typically mild to moderate and can last for up to seven days.

What do you look like right after eyelid surgery?

Your eyes may look swollen and bruised after your surgery. The eyelid swelling is usually worse early in the morning and will get better during the day as you sit or walk around. You may also have swelling on your cheeks and jawline. This will start to get better 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery.

What is the best age to have eyelid surgery?

You can have a blepharoplasty at any time. But if you're seeking one due to aging, you'll usually get the best results after age 40. People who are advanced in age should generally avoid the procedure because of the risks of surgical complications.

What do you look like immediately after eyelid surgery?

Your eyelids will probably look puffy after surgery. The incisions will probably look red, too. The swelling and bruising involved with blepharoplasty recovery tend to resemble a black eye. That is all normal.

How long does eyelid surgery take to perform?

How Much Time Does an Eyelid Lift Take? Blepharoplasty surgery takes between one and two hours. If you're opting for surgery on just the upper lid or just the lower lid, the procedure takes around an hour. If you're treating both the upper and lower lids, the surgery will last about two hours.

Is eyelid surgery high risk?

Among the top five most common cosmetic surgeries performed each year in the United States, most doctors consider it to be safe. But there are risks. Patients often have temporary side effects including bruising and swelling. Less commonly, they may have complications such as impaired eyelid function or loss of vision.

How long do you have to sleep sitting up after eyelid surgery?

Sleep in a correct position

After blepharoplasty, we recommend that you sleep on your back with your head elevated for at least 3-4 weeks. This helps reduce eyelid swelling and speeds up recovery.

Can I walk after eyelid surgery?

Walking is one of the best form of exercise after eyelid surgery. Walking in the initial phases of recovery can promote blood circulation, prevent blood clots and lead to a smoother recovery. It will give you a surge of energy as well. Initially, walk at a very slow pace and take breaks as needed.

When can I walk after upper eyelid surgery?

Absolutely avoid any strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting or exercising for at least 7 days into the blepharoplasty recovery period. However, patients need to be mobile right away, so we recommend walking at a gentle pace to begin with.

How long should upper eyelid surgery last?

It's not uncommon for the longevity of results to vary slightly between patients, but you can expect the results of upper eyelid surgery to last about 5 to 7 years, and lower eyelid surgery results are essentially permanent. With the upper eyelids, after several years the skin may begin to sag again.

What are cons of eyelid surgery?

Cons of eyelid surgery
  • Bruising, bleeding, and swelling.
  • It could take 2-3 months to see full results.
  • Asymmetry of the eyes is possible.
  • Temporary double vision or blindness that often corrects itself within 24 hours.
  • Dry or itchy eyes.

Is eyelid surgery worth it?

The surgery is worth it for people who want to look younger and better rested in and around the eyes. The results are subtle but dramatic, and recovery is minor with little pain reported.

Who is not a candidate for eyelid surgery?

People who are not ideal candidates for eyelid surgery are those who suffer from chronic dry-eye, hypertension, circulation disorders, thyroid disorders, diabetes or heart disease. Individuals who have glaucoma are advised to speak with their doctor before considering the surgery to find out if it is safe for them.

Can you close your eyes after eyelid surgery?

In the early stage of your recovery, it may be difficult to close your eyes all the way. However, as swelling subsides and you reach full recovery, you will be able to close your eyes all the way. This may take a few weeks.

How do I prepare for eyelid surgery?

How should I prepare for eyelid surgery?
  1. Get lab testing or a medical evaluation.
  2. Take certain medications or adjust your current medications.
  3. Stop smoking.
  4. Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding and bruising.

Does it hurt to get stitches out after eyelid surgery?

Patient's are usually a little nervous about discomfort with suture removal, however, most are surprised how painless it is. I wouldn't worry as there is minimal to zero pain associated with this procedure.

How long after blepharoplasty will I look normal?

After blepharoplasty surgery, the eyelids will be bruised and swollen for one to three weeks. However, most patients say their eyes look normal and better than before after one to three months.

How much does it cost to lift an eyelid?

How much does eyelid surgery cost? The average cost of cosmetic eyelid surgery is $4,120, according to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

What is the difference between eyelid surgery and blepharoplasty?

Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery: The Main Differences. Unlike blepharoplasty, which is considered a cosmetic procedure, ptosis repair is primarily functional. Ptosis repair tightens or shortens the eyelid muscle so that it can once again lift and open the eyelid adequately.

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