|
What
are the
goals of
blepharoplasty?
The
goals of
eyelid
surgery
(blepharoplasty)
include
excising
redundant
upper
eyelid
skin,
muscle
and fat,
and
reducing
lower
eyelid
bags to
contribute
to a
more
rested
appearance
and an
illusion
of
larger
and more
alert
eyes.
Eyelid
wrinkles
and
Crow’s
Feet of
the
outer
lid skin
cannot
be
appreciably
altered
by lower
lid blepharoplasty.
Larger malar bags below the lower eyelid bone cannot be altered by
lower
lid blepharoplasty.
Rough
or dark
skin
surrounding
the eyes
cannot
be
corrected
by the
eyelid
surgery,
nor can
drooping
eyebrows.
Other
procedures
can be
performed
to
correct
these
skin
color,
texture,
and
eyebrow
problems
such as
chemical
peeling,
laser,
and
browlift
procedures.
Upper
eyelid blepharoplasty
in woman
not only
enhances
the
rested
and
refreshed
facial
appearance,
but also
provides
a
platform
above
the
lashes
for more
convenient
make-up
application.
The
technique
of upper
eyelid
“supratarsal
fixation”
more
reliably
assures
this
result.
This
same
technique
also
allows
the
cosmetic
surgeon
to
Westernize
the
Oriental
eyelid
if
requested.
Lower
eyelid blepharoplasty
goals
include
the
elimination
of bags
which
have
resulted
from the
herniation
of fat
pads
away
from the
orbital
rim
because
of
genetics
and
aging.
When
present,
these
bags
contribute
to a
fatigued
or
exhausted
appearance.
If
excess
lower
eyelid
skin is
present,
then
excision
of these
redundancies
can be
performed.
What
happens
preoperatively?
Preoperative
evaluation
includes
exclusion
of
hyperthyroidism,
renel
disease,
diabetes,
and
chronically
irritated
or dry
eyes.
Lab
workup
is also
included
in the
preoperative
evaluation
including
PT, PTT,
and
bleeding
time.
An
ophthalmologic
evaluation
to
document
visual
acuity
and
tearing
function
is
performed
by an
optometrist
or
Ophthalmologist
before
surgery.
Where
is the
procedure
done?
The
upper
eyelid blepharoplasty
can be
safely
performed
in the
office
under
local
anesthesia.
After
marking
the skin
and
numbing
the area
to be
surgerized,
the
surgeon
excises
an
elliptical
configuration
of skin
and
muscle.
This
exposes
two fat
pads
that are
also
excised.
The
eyelid
wound
margins
are
sutured
together
with an
absorbable
suture
and
reinforced
with
Steri-Strips.
What
do I do
after
the
surgery?
Sutures
and
Steri-strips
are
removed
in 7
days.
Oral
and
topical
antibiotics
are
taken
and
applied
twice
daily
for the
week
following
surgery.
Cool
compressions
are
applied
continuously
for
24-48
hours
after
surgery.
The
patient
also
keeps
his or
her head
in an
upright
position
for the
first 24
hours
after
surgery
to
prevent
collection
of blood
underneath
the
eyelids.
Pain.
medication
such as
Toradol
and
Percocet
are
taken
for
several
days
after
surgery.
If
dry eyes
develop,
the
patient
is
encouraged
to use
an
ointment
at night
and eye
drops
during
the day.
Dry
eyes
usually
resolve
within
3-4
weeks
after
surgery.
If
pain
increases
after
surgery
or if
double
vision
or
bulging
of the
eyes
develop
after
surgery,
the
surgeon
should
be
called
immediately
because
a
“retrobulbar
hematoma”
(bleeding
behind
the
eyelid)
or
“acute
angle
glaucoma”
(elevated
eye
pressure)
may be
taking
place.
Although
extremely
unusual,
these
complications
can
compromise
vision
and have
been
known to
produce
blindness.
Incisions
heal in
2-4
weeks
and are
only
noticeable
when no
makeup
is worn
and
eyelids
are
closed.
What is
the
recovery
time?
Lower
lid blepharoplasty
is
usually
performed
without
the
excision
of the
eyelid
skin.
Instead,
the
surgeon
will
incise
the
conjunctive
on the
inside
of the
lower
eyelid
and
excise
the 3
fat
pads.
No
sutures
are
required
for this
transconjunctival
method
and no
scars
are
visible. However, if excess lower lid skin has to be excised (less
then 10%
of
cases)
then a
visable
incision
line and
scar are
produced
with
sutures
placed.
The
recovery
time and
post-operative
instructions
and
medicines
are
similar
to lower
lid blepharoplasty
as with
the
upper
lid blepharoplasty. If the transconjunctival lower lid blepharoplasty is
performed,
the
eyelid
skin
that was
not
excised
usually
retracts
within
2-4
weeks
after
surgery.
Most
people
experiencing
blepharoplasty
surgery
are
pleased
with the
results. Minimal pain and discomfort are the rule.
|
If
you
have
any
additional
questions,
please
call
336-760-4004
to
schedule
your
cosmetic
consultation |
|
