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What is the eyelid surgery
all about?
Eyelid surgery (called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove
fat usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower
eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags
below your eyes - features that make you look older and more tired than
you feel, and that could even be interfering with your vision.
 Eyelid
surgery will not remove crow's feet, however, or other wrinkles, eliminate
dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can
add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of
your ethnic or racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in
conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or
brow lift.
If you are considering eyelid surgery, this information will give you a
basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it is
performed, and what results you can expect. It cannot answer all of your
questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the
surgeon.
Please ask about anything you do not
understand. |
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Am
I a good candidate for this eyelid surgery?
Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence,
but it will not necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or
cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have
surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with
our surgeon.
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are
physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their
expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in
your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.
Few medical conditions make blepharoplasty more risky. They include
thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, dry eye or
lack of sufficient tears, high blood pressure or other circulatory
disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. A
detached retina or glaucoma is also reason for caution; check with your
ophthalmologist before you have surgery. |
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Are there risks involved?
When eyelid surgery is performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon,
generally complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless,
there is always a possibility of complications, including infection or
a reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely
following your surgeon's instructions both before and after surgery. |
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How long is the surgery?
Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on the
extent of the surgery. If you are having all four eyelids done, the
surgeon will probably work on the upper lids first, then the lower ones.
In a typical procedure, the surgeon makes incisions following the
natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and
just below the lashes in the lower lids. The incisions may extend into
the crow's feet or laugh lines at the outer corners of your eyes.
Working through these incisions, the surgeon separates the skin from
underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims
sagging skin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine
sutures.
If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids, but do not need
to have any skin removed, your surgeon may perform a transconjunctival
blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside your
lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on
younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin. |
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What happens after the
surgery?
After surgery, our surgeon will probably lubricate your eyes with
ointment and may apply a bandage. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore
as the anesthesia wears off, but you can control any discomfort with
the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. If you feel any severe
pain, call your surgeon immediately.
Our surgeon will instruct you to keep your head elevated for several
days, and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising.
(Bruising varies from person to person: it reaches its peak during the
first week, and generally lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month.)
You will be shown how to clean your eyes, which may be gummy for a week
or so. Many doctors recommend eyedrops, since your eyelids may feel dry
at first and your eyes may burn or itch. For the first few weeks you
may also experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and
temporary changes in your eyesight, such as blurring or double vision.
Our surgeon will follow your progress very closely for the first week
or two. The stitches will be removed two days to a week after surgery.
Once they are out, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will
gradually subside, and you will start to look and feel much better. |
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When do I get back to
normal?
You should be able to read or watch television after two or three days.
However, you will not be able to wear contact lenses for about two weeks,
and even then they may feel uncomfortable for a while.
Most people feel ready to go out in public (and back to work) in a week
to 10 days. By then, depending on your rate of healing and our doctor's
instructions, you will probably be able to wear makeup to hide the
bruising that remains. You may be sensitive to sunlight, wind, and
other irritants for several weeks, so you should wear sunglasses and a
special sunblock made for eyelids when you go out. |
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What will be my
new look?
Healing is a gradual process, and your scars may remain slightly pink
for six months or more after surgery. Eventually, though, they will fade
to a thin, nearly invisible white line.
On the other hand, the positive results of your eyelid surgery-the more
alert and youthful look-will last for years. For many people, these
results are permanent. |
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How much does it cost?
Upper Eyelid Surgery: Approximate: $2800
Lower Eyelid Surgery: Approximate: $2800 +
Upper and Lower Eyelid: $5500
If procedure is performed at a Hospital, there will be extra hospital
and anesthetist charges. |
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