Your eyes are often the first feature people notice, and they play a big role in how youthful, refreshed, and vibrant you appear. Over time, however, due the delicate nature of the skin around the eyes, the eyelids can begin to sag or droop and become discolored or puffy, leading many people to consider blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery. At DrSkin Plastic Surgery Regenerative & Medical Spa in Gilbert, AZ, patients frequently ask whether this procedure is best performed in the office or in the operating room.
The answer depends on your unique needs, goals, and comfort level. In this blog, we’ll break down the differences between in-office blepharoplasty and operating room blepharoplasty, including what each setting offers, how recovery may vary, and which option might be right for you. By the end, you’ll feel more confident about your choices and better prepared to take the next step toward brighter, more youthful eyes.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, commonly referred to as eyelid surgery, is a specialized procedure designed to correct excess skin, muscle and skin laxity, bagginess, and fatty deposits around the upper and/or lower eyelids. These changes often occur naturally with age, leading to drooping lids, puffiness, or a tired appearance. In some cases, sagging upper eyelid skin can even interfere with vision. Gravity, environmental stressors like the sun, air pollution, and harmful chemicals found in our food and water, as well as the natural effects of aging, all contribute to changes we commonly see around the eyes.
At DrSkin Med Spa in Gilbert, AZ, blepharoplasty is performed in-office by Dr. Rohit Jaiswal, a Top 100 Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon recognized five years in a row. By carefully removing or repositioning excess tissue, Dr. Jaiswal enhances the contour of the eyelids, reduces heaviness, and improves definition around the eyes. The outcome is not only cosmetic, but patients also report improved comfort and, in some cases, clearer vision.
In-Office Blepharoplasty: What to Expect
At DrSkin Med Spa, blepharoplasty is one of Dr. Jaiswal’s specialties, and he’s performed thousands of cases during his career. When performed in-office, this setting offers patients a safe, convenient, and highly effective alternative to hospital-based surgery, with the added benefit of a more streamlined experience.
During your in-office blepharoplasty, local anesthesia administered by Dr. Jaiswal is used to ensure comfort while avoiding the risks and longer recovery associated with general anesthesia. Once the area is numbed, Dr. Jaiswal makes precise incisions along the natural creases of the eyelids to minimize visibility. Through these incisions, he carefully removes or repositions excess skin and fat, and tightens underlying tissue to restore a refreshed, youthful contour.
Because the procedure is performed in-office, patients benefit from:
- Reduced downtime
- Lower overall costs without facility or anesthesia fees
- Enhanced comfort and convenience
- Quicker, more comfortable recovery
Operating Room Blepharoplasty: What to Expect
While many patients benefit from the convenience and safety of in-office blepharoplasty, there are certain situations where eyelid surgery may be performed in a hospital or surgical center operating room. This approach is typically reserved for more complex cases, including when patients require general anesthesia or when blepharoplasty is combined with additional procedures, such as a facelift or brow lift.
In the operating room setting, patients are placed under general anesthesia, which requires the presence of an anesthesiologist and specialized surgical staff. The procedure itself follows the same principles as in-office blepharoplasty: carefully planned incisions are made along the natural eyelid crease, excess skin and fat are removed or repositioned, and the eyelids are reshaped for a more youthful, refreshed appearance.
Because operating room blepharoplasty involves general anesthesia and a hospital-based environment, patients should expect:
- Longer preparation and recovery times compared to in-office procedures
- Higher costs due to facility and anesthesia fees
- More extensive monitoring during and after surgery
- Potentially longer downtime, especially if combined with other facial procedures
Key Difference Between In-Office and Operating Room Blepharoplasty
When deciding on eyelid surgery, one of the most important considerations is whether you would prefer to have your blepharoplasty performed in an office setting or in the operating room. At DrSkin Med Spa in Gilbert, AZ, Dr. Jaiswal generally performs blepharoplasty in-office, offering Gilbert patients a safe and effective alternative to hospital-based surgery.
In-office blepharoplasty is performed under local anesthesia administered by Dr. Jaiswal himself. Local anesthesia reduces risks, shortens recovery time, and eliminates the need for an anesthesiologist or hospital staff. This streamlined approach allows patients to enjoy a more comfortable and private experience while avoiding additional facility and anesthesia fees.
Another factor to consider when discussing in-office or operating room blepharoplasty is cost. Typically, patients will always defer to in-office for the least expensive procedure; however, we often recommend blepharoplasty procedures to the OR for safety and to maximize outcomes. For patients seeking scarless results, this is a critical point.
Is In-Office Blepharoplasty Safe?
Yes, in-office blepharoplasty is considered a safe option when performed by a qualified, board-certified surgeon in a properly equipped medical setting. An upper blepharoplasty, also known as upper eyelid surgery, when performed as a standalone procedure, is always done in-office under local anesthesia. Patients remain awake, comfortably numb, and pain-free throughout the procedure, which typically lasts only about 20 minutes from the first incisions to the final stitch.
A lower blepharoplasty, or lower eyelid surgery, can be performed in-office under local anesthesia or in the operating room (OR) under general anesthesia. When performed in-office, patients are awake but comfortably numb and experience no pain. When performed in the OR, patients are fully asleep under the care of a board-certified anesthesiologist. In cases where both upper and lower blepharoplasty are performed together, the procedure may be completed in either setting depending on your needs.
How Do I Know If I Need Operating Room Surgery?
The decision on whether your surgery is performed in-office or in an operating room is always made in consultation with Dr. Jaiswal. He will carefully review the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and tailor his recommendations to your anatomy, health, and goals. In some cases, Dr. Jaiswal will advise undergoing your blepharoplasty in an operating room to maximize your comfort, safety, and outcome. These include:
- Patients at higher risk for droopy lids or other complications
- Patients who experience anxiety surrounding surgery
- Patients seeking scarless lower blepharoplasty
- Patients of color, for whom hyperpigmentation is a great concern
Schedule Your Blepharoplasty Consultation at DrSkin Plastic Surgery, Regenerative & Medical Spa Today
If sagging eyelids or puffiness have been making you look tired or older than you feel, now is the time to explore the benefits of blepharoplasty. At DrSkin Plastic Surgery, Regenerative & Medical Spa in Gilbert, AZ, Dr. Rohit Jaiswal— a Top 100 Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon five years in a row— performs safe, precise, in-office or, in special cases, in-operating room eyelid surgery designed to restore youthful contours and natural confidence.
Your comfort matters. Your safety matters. And your results should be something you enjoy every day. Schedule your personalized consultation today by calling (480) 904-3311 or completing our online form, and take the first step toward brighter, more refreshed eyes with Dr. Jaiswal’s trusted expertise.
