Blepharoplasty

The eyes are usually the first thing we notice when we meet someone. Since they are the windows of our soul, beautiful eyes can make up for other facial features. Eyes that are tired, droopy, or swollen may not reflect a vibrant inner self. It is often said that the earliest signs of aging are around the eyes. You may feel that the eyes looking back at you in the mirror every morning are old and tired looking, or maybe people are always questioning whether or not you had a good night's sleep because your eyes are swollen with bags. Fortunately, cosmetic procedures can give you dramatically younger eyes through eyelid procedures, known as a blepharoplasty.

A primary reason for droopy eyes is simply due to age. As everything droops, so do the eyelids and eyebrows. As the outer parts of the eyebrows droop, the skin of the upper eyelids will look saggy, as if you had developed extra skin that was not there several years before. Trimming this "extra" skin can drastically improve that droopy look.

Another reason for "tired eyes" is because of excess eyelid fat eyelid fat. This fat is held back by a thin wall of fibrous tissue called orbital septum, which sags over time. The fat, held firmly back by this structural wall in youth can bulge with age, giving you "baggy" upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid lifts trim the extra fat and restores a more youthful contour.

During consultation, Dr. English asks questions about vision, tear production, use of contact lenses, and expectations. This information plus age, skin type, ethnic background, and degree of visual obstruction is assessed to determine the best course of treatment. Eyelid surgery does not normally reduce wrinkling around the eye area nor does it lift a drooping brow. Therefore, many patients decide to combine eyelid surgery with a forehead and/or brow lift and skin resurfacing to achieve the best overall result.

The Procedure

At the English Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center Surgi Spa, eyelid surgery is performed in the office with local anesthesia under I.V. sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure normally takes one hour. Upper and lower eyelid surgery may be performed at the same time; however, either can be done independently.

Upper eyelid surgery is performed by making an incision in the natural skin crease of the eyelid. Excess skin and fat are removed through the incision, which is closed with fine sutures, thereby minimizing the visibility of any scar. In lower eyelid surgery, the incision may be made in an inconspicuous site along the lash line and smile creases of the lower lid or more commonly on the inside of the eyelid. Once excess tissue, skin and fat has been removed, absorbable sutures are used to close the incisions. If the eyelid puffiness caused by excess fat is corrected by an incision made inside the lower eyelid, no visible scar results.

Recovery

Most patients experience little or no discomfort following eyelid surgery and find that any discomfort is relieved by taking a mild analgesic. Following surgery, patients are instructed on cleaning the incisions and the application of antibiotic eye ointment when indicated.

Some swelling and bruising may develop after the procedure. Cold compresses, when indicated, as well as head elevation when lying down, enhances healing and relieves discomfort. As time passes, the incisions for both the upper and lower eyelids blend in with the surrounding skin and are easily camouflaged. The skin at the outer corners of the eye is thicker and takes a bit longer to heal.

The stitches used to close the incisions in the upper and lower eyelids are removed three to five days after surgery. The sun may darken maturing scars; therefore, incisions in the upper and lower eyelids should be protected by sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat as they heal.

Most patients can return to near normal activity within a few days of the surgery. However, as the incisions heal, it is important to restrict activities that may put pressure on the eyes. Lifting, bending, and straining are avoided for up to two weeks. Aerobic or heavy exercise is avoided for at least three weeks following surgery.

Most patients can anticipate a marked improvement in the appearance of the eyes. This improved appearance is often accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the eyelids that may last a few weeks or months. Bags and bulges are significantly reduced if not completely eliminated. Some patients may actually experience slight improvement in their eyesight or peripheral vision as a result of the removal of excess skin.?

For those patients with a sunken look to their lower eyelid area, fat transfer to these areas combined with a chemical peel can help restore a more youthful contour from lash to cheek area. Normally, the reason for this loss of volume is secondary to decent of the cheek tissues away from the rim of the orbital bone. This type of restoration has been in vogue for the past decade or so and has been extremely successful especially when combined with mid face lifting and chemical peels.

Visit our plastic/ cosmetic surgery office located in Little Rock, Arkansas(AR).