| |
|
|
| |
|
Aesthetic eyelid surgery is performed on
adults of all ages. Some people have eyelid
surgery to correct problems that are a result
of aging, while others have inherited traits
that cause them to seek treatment as early
as their 20s or 30s
. Am
I a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
Any
one or combination of the following conditions
may indicate that you are a good candidate
for eyelid surgery:
·
Excess skin obscuring the natural fold
of the upper eyelids.
· Loose skin hanging down from
the upper eyelids, perhaps impairing vision.
· A puffy appearance to the upper
eyelids, making the eyes look tired.
· Excess skin and fine, creepy
wrinkles of the lower eyelids.
· Bags and dark circles under the
eyes, often with a depression along the
bony border of the lower eyelids.
· Droopiness of the lower eyelids,
showing white below the iris (colored
portion of the eye).
|
| |
| Aesthetic
eyelid surgery can usually correct these
problems, though other treatments may also
need to be considered. For example, if the
upper eyelid condition is accompanied by
sagging of the eyebrows, then a forehead
lift may be recommended. Smoothing of crow's
feet may require chemical peeling, microdermabrasion
or laser resurfacing procedures. Circles
beneath the eyes caused by dark pigmentation
may be treated with a bleaching solution
or chemical peel. I can provide further
information if you have an interest in any
of these additional procedures. |
|
| |
Your
Personal Consultation
During the initial consultation, you may
be asked to look in a mirror and point
out exactly what you would like to see
improved. This will help me to understand
your expectations and determine whether
they can realistically be achieved.
How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me
for aesthetic eyelid surgery?
You
should come to the consultation prepared
to discuss your medial history including
previous surgeries, past and present medical
conditions and current medications. It
is important for you to provide complete
information. High blood pressure, thyroid
problems or diabetes are among the medical
conditions that may increase the risks
associated with eyelid surgery. I will
want to know if you have allergies, especially
if they affect your eyes. Whether you
have ever tried and were unable to wear
contact lenses.It will be necessary for
me to know if you were ever told by an
ophthalmologist that you have a condition
called "dry eye" or if you have
any other problems with your eyes. One
of several surgical techniques may be
suggested to improve the appearance of
your eyelids. The particular technique
that I might recommends will depend on
many factors such as the amount of excess
fat and skin in the eyelid areas, the
position of your eyebrows, and he condition
of muscles around your eyelids.
|
1.Eyelid
Puffiness, drooping upper lids or
fine wrinkles around the eyelids can
make people appear tired, sad or,
older then they feel. |
|
| 2.Typically,
incisions are made following
your eye area's natural lines
and creases and will be well-camouflaged
when healed. |
|
|
3.
Excess fat is removed or redistributed. |
|
4.
After surgery, eyelids no longer
droop and the skin under the
eyes is smooth and firm. |
|
|
How Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery is Performed
Because
of individual factors, not everyone will
achieve the same results from eyelid surgery.
I will select the surgical technique that
will obtain the best outcome for you.
How
is my plastic surgeon able to improve
the appearance of my upper eyelids?
For
upper eyelid surgery, generally an incision
is hidden within the natural fold of the
upper eyelid and extends slightly beyond
the outside corner into the laugh lines
or other existing creases. Through this
incision, excess skin and fatty tissue
are removed. Because the incision follows
the natural contour of the upper eyelid,
it will be well camouflaged when healed.
What
is done to improve the appearance of my
lower eyelids?
For
lower eyelid surgery, often an incision
is hidden just below the lower lashes.
Through this incision, excess skin, muscle
and fat are removed, or fat may be redistributed
to eliminate puffiness or bulges. Other
adjustments to correct special problems
such as muscle laxity may be performed.
As in upper eyelid surgery, the incision
is well camouflaged by natural creases.
In
some cases, you and myself may decide
that the best approach for removing excess
fat is through an incision placed inside
the lower eyelid. This technique requires
no external incision, but it cannot be
used to remove excess skin. A laser may
sometimes be used in conjunction with
this method to tighten the lower eyelid
skin. |
| Understanding
Risks |
Fortunately,
significant complications from aesthetic
eyelid surgery are infrequent. Every
year, many thousands of people undergo
successful eyelid surgery, experience
no major problems and are pleased
with the results.
|
I
understand that every surgical procedure
has risks, but how will I learn more so
that I can make an informed decision?
The
subject of risks and potential complications
of surgery is best discussed on a personal
basis between you and myself. Some of
the potential complications that may be
discussed with you include hematoma (an
accumulation of blood under the skin that
may require removal), infection and reactions
to anesthesia. Following the surgery,
there can be a feeling of dryness or irritation
in the eye that requires treatment. There
is a possibility of a temporary decrease
in sensation of the eyelid skin or impaired
eyelid function that sometimes may need
to be corrected by additional surgery. You
can help minimize certain risks by following
my advice and instructions, both before
and after your eyelid surgery.
How
should I prepare for surgery?
If
you are a smoker, you will be asked to
stop smoking well in advance of surgery.
Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory
drugs can cause increased bleeding, so
you should avoid taking these medications
for a period of time before surgery. I
will provide you with additional preoperative
instructions.
Aesthetic eyelid surgery is usually performed
on an outpatient basis. If this is the
case, be sure to arrange for someone to
drive you home after surgery and to stay
with you at least the first night following
surgery.
What
will the day of surgery be like?
Your
eyelid surgery may be performed in a hospital,
free-standing
ambulatory facility or office-based surgical
suite. Medications are administered for
your comfort during the surgical procedure.
Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous
sedation are used for patients undergoing
eyelid surgery, although general anesthesia
may be desirable in some instances. For
your safety during the operation, various
monitors are used to check your heart,
blood pressure, pulse and the amount of
oxygen circulating in your blood.
When
surgery is completed, you will be taken
into a recovery area where you will continue
to be closely monitored. Your vision will
be blurry as a result of ointment used
to soothe and protect the eye during surgery
as well as from the swelling that is a
normal aftermath of eyelid procedures.
There is surprisingly little discomfort,
however, from the surgery. You probably
will be permitted to go home after a few
hours, although some patients may stay
overnight in the hospital or surgical
facility.
How
will I look and feel initially?
It
is important to realize that the amount
of time it takes for recovery varies greatly
among individuals. The first evening after
surgery, you should rest quietly with
your head elevated. Your surgeon may instruct
you to apply cold compresses to your eyelids.
Remember, you must not take aspirin or
certain anti-inflammatory medications.
Initially, you may feel a "tight"
sensation around the eyes and some mild
discomfort that can be controlled with
oral medication. During the first 48 hours
following surgery, patients experience
varying degrees of swelling and bruising.
Some patients find that mild swelling
persist for several weeks, while others
may see swelling resolve in as little
as one week. Bruising typically disappears
within seven to ten days. Within the first
week you will be permitted to use makeup,
if desired, to conceal any discoloration.
Stitches are usually removed within a
week of surgery. Your vision may continue
to be somewhat blurry for a few days or longer. Your eyes may be temporarily sensitive
to light, and you may experience excess
tearing or dryness. Sometimes I recommend
eye drops to help relieve any burning
or itching. You may want to wear dark
sunglasses for a couple of weeks to protect
your eyes from wind and sun irritation.
When
can I resume my normal activities?
Straining,
bending and lifting should be avoided
during the early postoperative period.
In many instances, you will be able to
resume most of your normal activities
within ten days or less. Although you
might feel like going back to work just
a few days after surgery, your vision
may still be slightly blurry which could
make reading or other paperwork more difficult.
You should not wear contact lenses for
a week or two.
Results
of Your Eyelid Surgery
Aesthetic eyelid surgery has the effect
of making you look more rested, refreshed
and alert. Since the healing process is
gradual, you should expect to wait at
least several weeks to get an accurate
picture of the results of your eyelid
surgery. Incisions will fade over a number
of months until they become barely visible.
.How
long will the results last?
The
results of aesthetic eyelid surgery are
long-lasting, but they may be affected
by your heredity and lifestyle factors.
Removal of fat from your eyelids, which
is usually the cause of puffiness and
bags, is permanent, and these conditions
generally will not recur. The skin continues
to age, however, and skin laxity along
the fine wrinkling of the eyelid area
may, at some point, return. Sometimes
loss of tone in the forehead causes additional
sagging of the eyebrows, which mimics
a recurrence of drooping upper eyelids.
If this happens, correction may require
a forehead lift or a secondary eyelid
procedure. Even though the aging process
continues, patients are usually happy
with their appearance for many years following
eyelid surgery. Some patients find that
they want to make additional improvements
at a later time.
Maintaining
a Relationship with Your Plastic Surgeon
You
will return to my office for follow-up
care at prescribed intervals, at which
time your progress will be evaluated.
Please remember that the relationship
with your plastic surgeon does not end
when you leave the operating room. If
you have questions or concerns during
your recovery, or need additional information
at a later time, you should contact me. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
