Sedation & Eyelid surgery

One of the first, most noticeable, signs of aging is drooping, sagging eyelids. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can be a great method to greatly improve the eye area and rejuvenate a patient’s whole look; often, patients will look much younger and refreshed. A common concern for patients considering blepharoplasty surgery is the availability of options for sedation during the procedure.

Eyelid surgery is by necessity a surgical procedure. This procedure requires at least some level of anaesthesia for a patient’s comfort; a surgical procedure without any anaesthesia often worries patient! At London Facial Plastic Surgery, we offer several options of sedation anaesthesia in order to maximize our patients’ comfort and provide the best possible experience.

The first option is local anaesthesia alone. This means that an injection of anesthetic will be applied to the eyelid area, which will effectively numb the eyelid area and limit bleeding. This may sting for 2-3 minutes until the anesthetic takes effect, and the patient is awake and alert throughout the procedure. Dr. De Silva does not recommend this option for the more delicate areas of the face, including the lower eyelid and for additional procedures such as fat transfer, as this can cause patients unnecessary stress and tension throughout the procedure. However, this is the only option that many other plastic surgeons offer, as few surgeons in the UK will offer sedation for cosmetic procedures.

The second option is general anaesthesia. With general anaesthesia, a specialized anaesthesiologist will intravenously apply much stronger doses of anaesthesia that will put the whole body in an unconscious state. Breathing is monitored and aided with a breathing tube, and the anaesthesiologist will monitor the patient throughout the entire procedure. This option requires a full medical screening to ensure patient safety and suitability, and is usually only offered in Hospital or Surgical Treatment Centers. We are happy to be able to offer you this safe option. The downsides of general anaesthesia include a longer recovery period. There may also be some stronger side effects, such as drowsiness or nausea, making this option not suitable for all patients. It is generally unnecessary for eyelid surgery.

The third option is sedative anaesthesia, also known as “twilight anaesthesia,” which is local anaesthesia coupled with sedative medications. This is also known as MAC, or monitored anaesthesia care. Dr. De Silva only utilises anaesthesiologists that specialise in sedation and are highly skilled in giving sedation medications tailored to the individual.During twilight anaesthesia, the patient remains conscious but very relaxed and possibly euphoric, and typically patients do not remember the procedure. This requires a much shorter recovery period than general anaesthesia, with most patients able to leave 30 minutes following the procedure. This is the most advanced sedation technique that may be the most suitable for patients considering eyelid surgery.

Dr. De Silva incorporates a specialized anaesthesiology team; each member is an expert in sedation with specialised techniques. Our top priority is patient safety, and we will outline all necessary instructions for sedation including designating a responsible driver, food intake, and any other pertinent information.

If you are considering eyelid surgery and would like to know more about the sedation options available, please contact us at the Centre for Advanced Facial Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery. We are conveniently located in West London.

Patient Experience 1: The patient’s story below is of a patient who underwent surgery under sedation anaesthesia, she had previously undergone general anaesthesia:

“I would like to share my experience with you under sedation, I had upper and lower eye lid surgery with Dr Julian De Silva, I was very nervous and apprehensive before hand but Dr De Silva was very reassuring. I found the sedation very relaxing and did not feel anything although I could hear what was going on around me. After the operation I had no sickness and was able to go home an hour afterwards, I would highly recommend this sedation and I was 100% happy with the operation, the results and the whole experiences.”

More information on Facial Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery:

• Anaesthesia Options & Frequently Asked Questions
• Sedation & Blepharoplasty/ Eyelid Surgery
• Sedation & Rhinoplasty/ Nose-Reshaping
• Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) Frequently asked Questions
• How to speed up recovery after cosmetic surgery?

Read our Reviews of Sedation ExperienceClick Here