EYELID SURGERY (BLEPHAROPLASTY)

Yours eyes are the first area that is noticed by others, and is the first to begin aging. However, it is the surrounding skin, rather than the eyes themselves, that conveys emotion and signs of aging. Age, sun exposure, muscle dynamics and hereditary factors all contribute to wrinkles, deep lines and puffiness around the eyes.

Blepharoplasty is the surgery to create a more youthful eyelid, by altering the skin, muscle and fat of the upper and/or lower eyelids. Eyelid surgeries are individualized because of differences in eyelid form, ethnic differences and individual aesthetic preferences. Sometimes, browlift may be used in conjunction with or instead of upper blepharoplasty. Cheeklift (mid-face lift) may be used in conjunction with blepharoplasty to improve the lower eyelid. The surgery for the lower eyelid and upper eyelid are separate procedures that usually, but not always, are performed at the same surgery.

Local anesthesia is used to numb the eyelids and intravenous medications may be used for sedation. During the procedure you will be sleepy, comfortable and relaxed. General anesthesia is rarely used.

Upper eyelids Traditional upper lid blepharoplasty uses an incision in the crease of the upper lid. Excess skin, fat and muscle may be removed. Once healed, the scar is barely noticeable when the eye is open.

The first decision is whether a brow lift or upper lid blepharoplasty is the preferred method for correcting the extra skin above the upper eyelid. Sometimes both surgeries are required.

The second decision is whether to change the shape of the upper eyelid by enhancing the lid crease. This may be particularly important for Asian women who lack and eyelid crease. This is called creating a “double eyelid”

Next, we decide the specifics of how much skin, fat and muscle should be removed or tightened.

Finally Frown lines and crowsfeet wrinkles can be corrected by removing the specific muscles. Muscle removal can be done through the upper lid incision although this has traditionally been done in conjunction with a forehead lift surgery.

Lower eyelids the lower lid incision is made just below the eyelashes and is nearly invisible. In cases where only fat is removed, the incision is made inside the eyelid.

The first decision is how to treat bulging fat pockets causing “bags”. Usually there is an associated hollow trough below the fat pocket and there may be some skin wrinkling and discoloration.

Classically, the fat pockets are removed so that they are flush with the skin and do not bulge forward.

The muscles in front of the fat pockets can be tightened by puling them towards the side. This will push the fat inward (canthoplasty).

Fat can be transposed downward over the rim of the orbit into the cheek hollow
Fat can be removed with a hidden incision inside the eyelid (transconjunctival)
Next, the excess skin is very conservatively removed or in some cases can be tightened with a laser treatment.
There are other methods of improving eyelid appearance
Cheek fat and eyelid skin can be elevated (mid-face lift) to improve the hollows and achieve a more youthful appearance.
Tightening the tendon of the lower lid (canthopexy)

Recovery: What to Expect

The area surrounding the eyes will remain swollen in the days following the surgery. It should begin to subside after the second or third day.
Some visual blurring is normal.
Swelling and bruising will persist for about 10 days, but you can begin wearing makeup to help conceal these concerns.
Sutures will be removed in about 3-7 days
You may expect to resume normal activity within a week to 10 days, and start enjoying your new look within approximately 10-14 days.
It may a month for the scars to lose their redness.
It may3- 6 months for lids to achieve their final shape.
The crowsfeet wrinkles caused by muscles that close the eyelids are improved but not eliminated by standard eyelid surgery, unless the muscle is actually removed
Wrinkling will recur many years later, The “bags” will not recur
Complications are unlikely when performed by a surgeon with experience in blepharoplasty.

PHOTO GALLERY

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After