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Eyelid Rejuvenation
If you're considering eyelid surgery...
Eyelid surgery or eyelid lift (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, the following 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.
The best candidates for eyelid surgery
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. |
All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk
When eyelid surgery is
performed by a qualified oral &maxillofacial
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 white heads 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.
Planning your surgery
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The initial consultation
with your surgeon is very important. The surgeon will
need your complete medical history, so check your own
records ahead of time and be ready to provide this
information. Be sure to inform your surgeon if you
have any allergies; if you're taking any vitamins,
medications (prescription or over-the-counter), or
other drugs; and if you smoke.
Underlying fat, along with excess skin and
muscle,
can be removed during the operation. |
In this consultation, your surgeon or a nurse will test
your vision and assess your tear production. You should also
provide any relevant information from your ophthalmologist
or the record of your most recent eye exam. If you wear glasses
or contact lenses, be sure to bring them along.
You and your surgeon should carefully discuss your goals
and expectations for this surgery. You'll need to discuss
whether to do all four eyelids or just the upper or lower
ones, whether skin as well as fat will be removed, and whether
any additional procedures are appropriate.
Your surgeon will explain the techniques and anesthesia
he or she will use, the type of facility where the surgery
will be performed, and the risks and costs in volved. (Note:
Most insurance policies don't cover eyelid surgery, unless
you can prove that drooping upper lids in terfere with your
vision. Check with your insurer.)
Don't hesitate to ask your doctor any questions you may
have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns
about the results.
Preparing for your surgery
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to
prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and
drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins
and medications. Carefully following these instructions
will help your surgery go more smoothly.
While you're making preparations, be sure to arrange for
someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help
you out for a few days if needed.
Where your surgery will be performed
Eyelid surgery may be performed in a surgeon's office based
facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital.
It's usually done on an outpatient basis; rarely does it
re quire an inpatient stay.
Types of anesthesia
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.
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