Blepharoplasty is safe and successful for the vast majority of patients, but there are situations where another issue needs to be addressed first, the surgery should be postponed, or a different approach should be considered.
The first group involves active eye conditions - unresolved eyelid or eye inflammation, an active infection, or uncontrolled glaucoma need to be managed first, since operating on top of such a condition carries a noticeably higher risk of complications. The same applies to dry eye syndrome - if it's already present, eyelid surgery can temporarily intensify symptoms, so this is carefully assessed beforehand and, when needed, the eye is stabilized first.
The second group covers general health conditions that affect healing and anesthesia safety - uncontrolled thyroid disorders, serious heart or circulatory disease, unmanaged diabetes, and blood-clotting disorders. This doesn't automatically rule someone out; it means the condition needs to be under control first, in close coordination with the doctor managing it.
Smoking is a particular risk factor because it significantly impairs tissue healing, which is why patients are always asked to stop smoking before and after the procedure.
There's also a more subtle category - patients with unrealistic expectations about the outcome, or those whose actual problem is really a sagging brow or forehead rather than the eyelid itself. In these cases, blepharoplasty on its own won't produce the desired effect, so a conversation about the true cause of the issue and the right procedure always happens before any decision is made.
During your consultation with Dr Maja Simić in Belgrade, you can discuss eye health, general health and expectations to assess whether blepharoplasty or another approach is appropriate for you.