Awake Blepharoplasty in Los Angeles

Beautiful woman face close up stock image

Awake Blepharoplasty in Los Angeles is an eyelid lift surgery performed under local anesthesia to maximize the quality of your results and shorten your recovery. Dr. Kenneth Kim and Dream Medical Group specialize in this very delicate, highly advanced procedure.

Dr. Kim is one of the world’s leading authorities on Awake Anesthesia, an avant-garde approach to plastic surgery that diminishes downtime and leads to more appealing outcomes. Dr. Kim is also a sought-after master of multiple eyelid lift techniques, especially for our Asian clientele. If you’ve dreamt of a lighter, brighter appearance around the eyes, dream no longer! Dr. Kim and Dream Medical are known from Seoul to Southern California for performing the very best blepharoplasties.

Inquisitive minds are encouraged to visit the Dream Medical Group blog, a comprehensive hub of information regarding Dr. Kim and his progressive plastic surgery practice.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is also known as an eyelid lift, or eyelid surgery. It is an aesthetic procedure to lift and tighten droopy skin around the eyes. Blepharoplasty can have functional benefits as well. Severely sagging skin at the eyes is known as ptosis. Patients with ptosis may require an eyelid lift to improve their field of vision. For the most part, however, blepharoplasty serves a cosmetic purpose by making the eyes appear wider and more alert. By strategically removing lax and excess skin, Dr. Kim’s patients look and feel more youthful; they are better able to hold others with their sharp, engaging gaze.

Open Your Eyes to Awake Blepharoplasty

In the United States, mainstream medical opinion is finally coming around to the advantages of “Awake” procedures, like our eyelid lift under local anesthesia at Dream Medical Group in Los Angeles. Plenty of plastic surgeons may be rushing to jump on the bandwagon now, but Dr. Kim has known all along that the risk-to-reward ratio heavily favors local anesthesia over the superfluous hazards of general anesthesia, particularly for procedures like blepharoplasty.^[1]

Consider a consultation with Dr. Kenneth Kim at his well-appointed offices in Beverly Hills.

Benefits of Awake Blepharoplasty Under Local Anesthesia

Shorter recovery than traditional surgery
Less postoperative pain
No narcotics necessary to manage discomfort
Lower risk of subclinical hematoma (bleeding)
Smoother recovery means more alluring results

Qualified Candidates

Ideal candidates for our Blepharoplasty want to enliven their look by lifting and tightening excess skin around their eyelids. A severe case of drooping eyelids is known as ptosis, in medical parlance. Patients with ptosis may require an eyelid lift to improve their eyesight by removing an obstruction.

Blepharoplasty with local anesthesia while under sedation may be an attractive option for some Los Angeles patients because, in the hands of a skilled surgeon like Dr. Kim, the procedure has a lower rate of complications. An Awake Eyelid Lift also produces more captivating outcomes because the procedure is less disruptive to the body. Patients heal faster, with less scarring and bleeding than traditional techniques.^[2]

Your Personal Consultation at Dream Medical Group

Dr. Kenneth Kim and his team are advocates of Awake Plastic Surgery, a leading-edge technique in which procedures are performed under local anesthesia with a mild sedative, rather than mainstream modalities that will often put the patient entirely to sleep under general anesthesia. Dr. Kim learned of this paradigm-shifting approach while studying at Yonsei University, in South Korea, one of the most prestigious universities in the country. As you may have already observed, the Korean plastic surgery scene has been blossoming with innovation in recent years. At Yonsei, Dr. Kim trained with some of the world’s best surgeons. Today, at his Los Angeles-based practice, Dr. Kim marries Asian refinement with American technology as he pushes boundaries and challenges preconceptions with his revolutionary Awake Eyelid Lift.

Contact us to schedule your confidential consultation at Dream Medical Group. We’ll qualify your candidacy for Awake Blepharoplasty or any of our other advanced procedures. Call us at (213) 700-4297 and prepare yourself for an eye-opening experience.

Procedure

An awake patient can still respond and react to the doctor’s direction, even while the local anesthetic provides a painless surgical experience. This allows Dr. Kim to avoid many common mishaps, such as when lesser surgeons have been known to remove too much eyelid tissue. But in Awake Blepharoplasty, Dr. Kim can request that patient close and open their eyes during certain points of the procedure. This provides him the opportunity to check his progress and ensure only natural-looking results. Dr. Kim can gauge exactly how large he wants the eyes to open and the tension of the crease formation. He can check on the patient’s ability to close their eyes, as well.

An Awake Blepharoplasty minimizes the risks associated with a common eyelid lift in Los Angeles. It also allows Dr. Kim to perform the procedure with greater precision, providing patients with wondrous results.

How Long Does Blepharoplasty Surgery Take?

Details may vary from patient to patient, but an eyelid lift will usually take two hours or less, depending on how involved the surgery is. In Awake Blepharoplasty, Dr. Kim and his surgical team use a pain reliever injected around the eye with oral or IV sedation, a proven approach that will hasten the patient’s recovery.

Rapid Recovery

It may seem surprising to those who are not in the know, but an Awake Blepharoplasty actually produces less pain and discomfort than if the surgery were performed under general anesthesia.^[3] Local anesthesia minimizes the strain on the body’s other systems, so you can recover more quickly from the surgical incisions. In general anesthesia, the patient’s nervous system still experiences the pain of surgery, even as they sleep. This is not so under local anesthesia, when the nerve endings in the area are numbed completely. An Awake Eyelid Lift also avoids the risks of blood clots, memory loss and heart complications, which are more common under general anesthesia.

Can I Watch TV After Blepharoplasty?

You will want to avoid straining your eyes for the first few days of your recovery. This might mean eliminating or limiting your screen time, per your doctor’s instructions. We advise you to take it easy for the first week after surgery. So, avoid restful activities that may include prolonged reading or long hours in front of the TV for approximately three days. Your recovery is an excellent time to catch up on your favorite podcasts and audiobooks.

Bewitching Eyelid Lift Results

Patients report more satisfying results when they undergo Awake Plastic Surgery. Procedures performed while under local anesthesia tend to produce less bleeding, which leads to less scar tissue, so your outcomes will be more enchanting and natural-looking.

It takes supreme surgical skill to properly perform an Awake Eyelid Lift. Because it is such an elegant procedure, there is less tissue disruption than there would be in a traditional blepharoplasty. The procedure’s simple precision produces more bewitching results.

Our Other Awake Procedures

Awake Anesthesia is an advanced approach to plastic surgery and Dream Medical Group leads the way in this innovative technique. By questioning the long-held assumptions of the American medical establishment, Dr. Kim and his fellow proponents of plastic surgery under local anesthesia have revealed that general anesthesia is not always the wisest choice. Frequently, procedures like Awake Breast Augmentation will produce better outcomes than traditional breast implant surgery, with a shorter recovery time.

If you’re interested in learning more about this paradigm-shifting approach, consider a confidential consultation with Dr. Kenneth Kim.

FAQ

Can blepharoplasty be done under local anesthesia?

Yes, a blepharoplasty (or eyelid lift) can be safely performed under local anesthesia with sedation. Check our Eyelid lift before and after page for more details. This kind of procedure is sometimes called an “Awake Blepharoplasty” because, unlike general anesthesia, which puts the patient entirely to sleep, local anesthesia only numbs the nerves at the surgical site, so the patient is conscious during surgery. The local anesthetic is usually paired with a light or deep sedation, so that the patient is relaxed and calm for the duration of the procedure.

Is An Awake Blepharoplasty Painful?

During an awake upper blepharoplasty performed with local anesthesia, patients are not expected to feel pain during the procedure. A brief pinch or stinging sensation may be felt during the initial injection of local anesthetic, followed quickly by numbness. Once numb, pain should not be felt, though patients may notice gentle pressure or movement.

Will I See The Surgery Happening If I’m Awake?

No. During awake upper blepharoplasty, patients do not see the surgical details themselves. For most of the procedure, patients will keep their eyes closed. During surgery, Dr. Kim will ask patients to open and close their eyes so he can assess double eyelid position, symmetry, and eyelid muscle function in real time.

Even when the eyes are briefly opened, patients are not watching the surgery itself. Many patients find this process reassuring, as it allows Dr. Kim to meticulously fine-tune the results while maintaining comfort and safety.

How Long Does The Procedure Take While Awake?

Awake upper blepharoplasty typically takes about 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the surgery and whether additional adjustments are needed. Because general anesthesia and intravenous (IV sedation) are not used, there is no additional time required to put the patient to sleep or to recover from these types of anesthesia afterward.

What Happens If I Accidentally Blink Or Move?

For most of the procedure, patients keep their eyes closed. When patients are asked to open their eyes, blinking is expected and normal. Dr. Kim accounts for natural blinking and small movements during surgery. Patients are guided throughout the procedure, and brief pauses can be taken if needed to maintain comfort and precision.

What Is The Recovery Time Compared To General Anesthesia?

Recovery after awake upper blepharoplasty is often faster and smoother compared with surgery performed under general anesthesia. Patients typically avoid systemic anesthesia-related side effects such as grogginess, nausea and vomiting, or confusion and brain fog.

Can I Drive Myself Home After The Surgery?

Patients are advised not to drive themselves home after awake blepharoplasty. It is recommended to arrange a ride with a partner, family member, friend, caregiver, or a professional car service to ensure a safe return home or to a hotel.

Is An Awake Blepharoplasty Cheaper?

Awake upper blepharoplasty is not necessarily a lower-cost option. While it avoids certain fees associated with general anesthesia, the overall cost reflects the surgeon’s expertise, technical precision, and individualized surgical planning required to perform eyelid surgery safely and precisely while the patient is awake.

Am I A Good Candidate For The Awake Option?

Most patients are good candidates for awake upper blepharoplasty. This approach may be especially suitable for patients who prefer to avoid general anesthesia or IV sedation, seek a smoother recovery, or benefit from real-time eyelid assessment and refinement during surgery, allowing for highly precise, tailored results. During a consultation, the plastic surgeon evaluates each patient’s individual anatomy, health, and surgical goals to determine whether the awake approach is appropriate.

What Are The Risks Of Staying Awake During A Blepharoplasty?

Awake upper blepharoplasty is generally well tolerated, but potential considerations may include temporary feelings of anxiety or nervousness and awareness of activity in the surgical area. These sensations are not painful and are carefully managed throughout the procedure using local anesthesia and the plastic surgeon’s guidance.

How Soon Can I Wear Makeup Or Contact Lenses Afterward?

Makeup and contact lenses are usually avoided for about 3 months after upper blepharoplasty, depending on healing and incision recovery. Dr. Kim will provide personalized guidance on when it is safe to resume makeup and contact lens use.

References

Ohana, O., Ayala-Haedo, J., Anagnostopolous, A., & Lee, W. W. (2020). Local Anesthesia Injection in Upper Blepharoplasty Surgery. Dermatologic Surgery, Publish Ahead of Print. https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000002718
Cao, L., & Zhu, F. (2020). Comparison of tumescent local anesthesia vs normal anesthesia technology in upper blepharoplasty in Asian women. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13855
‌Mckee, D., & Lalonde, D. (2017). Minimal Pain Local Anesthetic Injection with Blunt Tipped Cannula for Wide Awake Upper Blepharoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open, 5(5), e1310. https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000001310