Blepharoplasty Eyelid Cosmetic Surgery Crows Feet
Blepharoplasty
refers to eyelid surgery and is designed to remove the excess fat, along
with skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids. It is the second
most common aesthetic procedure performed by plastic surgeons.
A properly performed blepharoplasty procedure will brighten the face and
restore a more youthful appearance. In some patients the procedure will
improve vision by removing the excessive skin of the upper eyelids which
can hang down and interfere with peripheral vision.
Eyelid surgery is usually performed using local anesthesia and light intravenous
sedation. It is commonly done in a doctor's office, outpatient surgical
center or, in some cases, in a hospital. The procedure is most often performed
on an outpatient basis. Scars are a result of any surgical
procedure.
The incisions made to accomplish the goals of the procedure are barely visible
after several months as they are placed within the normal creases and folds
of the upper and lower eyelids. In patients who only need removal of fat
from the lower eyelids, the incision can be made on the inside of the eyelid,
and will therefore result in an invisible scar.
The blepharoplasty procedure will not eradicate the wrinkles around the
eyes (crows feet) nor will it elevate droopy eyebrow. There are other procedures
designed for these purposes. Dark circles under the eyes may improve a
bit
if this is related to large bags , but most often the dark appearance of
the lower eyelid skin remains. The best patients are those who are
healthy, psychologically stable and well motivated. Some medical conditions
may increase the risk of blepharoplasty surgery such as thyroid disease,
high blood pressure, and patients who do not make sufficient tears to keep
their eyes well lubricated.
Fortunately, when performed by a competent plastic surgeon, complications
are infrequent and minor. All patients will experience some bruising and
swelling for a few days after the surgery. In addition, a temporary problem
with
closure of the eyelids is usually seen. Some may have temporary blurring
of their vision, usually due to the ointments applied to the incisions post
operatively. In rare instances, the lower eyelid may be pulled down causing
an ectropion. If this does not resolve on its own, further surgery may be
necessary. The theoretical complications of any surgical procedure, such
as bleeding, infection, wound disruption and heavy scarring are also possible,
but rare.
Eyelid surgery (technically 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
may even interfere with your vision. However, it won't remove crow's feet
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 browlift. If you're considering eyelid surgery, this information
will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how
it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of
your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon.
Please ask your surgeon about anything you don't understand.
Blepharoplasty
can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't 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 your 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.A 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.
When
eyelid surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, 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. The minor complications that occasionally follow
blepharoplasty include double or blurred vision for a few days; temporary
swelling at the corner of the eyelids; and a slight asymmetry in healing
or scarring. Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out;
your surgeon can remove them easily with a very fine needle. Following surgery,
some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep; in
rare cases this condition may be permanent. Another very rare complication
is ectropion, a pulling down of the lower lids. In this case, further surgery
may be required.
Eyelid surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia--which numbs
the area around your eyes--along with oral or intravenous sedatives. You'll
be awake during the surgery, but relaxed and insensitive to pain. (However,
you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort.) Some surgeons prefer
to use general anesthesia; in that case, you'll sleep through the operation.
.
Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent
of the surgery. If you're 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 don't 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.
After surgery, the 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.
Your surgeon will instruct you to keep your head elevated for several days,
and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. (Bruising varies
forn person to person: it reaches its peak during the first week, and generally
lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month.) You'll 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. Your 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're out, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually
subside, and you'll start to look and feel much better.
You should be able to read or watch television after two or three days.
However, you won't 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 your doctor's instructions, you'll 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.Your
surgeon will probably tell you to keep your activities to a minimum for
three to five days, and to avoid more strenuous activities for about three
weeks. It's especially important to avoid activities that raise your blood
pressure, including bending, lifting, and rigorous sports. You may also
be told to avoid alcohol, since it causes fluid retention.
Healing is a gradual process, and your scars may remain slightly pink for
six months or more after surgery. Eventually, though, they'll 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.
