Hypothyroidism and eye lift cosmetic surgery

[Chris K]

I was dignosed with having an underactive thyroid about 18 months ago. My TSH was 5.7. The doctor put me on Synthroid (.50Mmg)and the TSH is fine now (3.0) I feel less tired now. Being tired was the only sympton that I had before dignosis.
I have been seriouly considering having EYE LIFT cosmetic surgery on my upper and lower eye lifts, but I read that people with thyroid problems are not good candidates for this type of surgery and also are at high risk.
can you tell me more about this, explain what kind of a risk is it, know anybody that had the surgery that had the same problems?,
Does it mean that I should not have the surgery?.

[Chris K]

Thank you so much for your reply and for your advice, it has helped a lot. Now I feel more confident in making such an important decision.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

I think the key is to optimize thyroid function (TSH around 1.0) for at least 3-6 months then re-evaluate the eyes, as thyroid dysfunction can cause swelling of the eyelids and if surgery is done while the thyroid is out of balance, the surgical changes may not end up being appropriate once the eyes respond to correcting the thyroid.

Cosmetic surgery is never urgent -- I would wait a while and see what happens....