Introduction to Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
More than any other facial feature, the eyes have a
tremendous impact on your appearance and are the first
to show the signs of aging. They tell people whether
you are happy, sad, energetic or tired. If you believe
your eyes are making you look tired, then eyelid surgery
may be right for you.
Best Candidates for Eyelid Surgery
Men and women, 30’s to 60’s, with loose
skin in the upper or lower eyelids, puffy lower eyelids
and/or dark circles. Younger individuals who have an
inherited, family appearance may also benefit from the
procedure, as this is not related to aging.
What to Expect at Your Consultation
Dr. James Matas, a board-certified plastic surgeon
in Orlando, Florida, has extensive experience performing
facial plastic surgery. At your initial consultation,
he will discuss your goals and motivations for surgery,
along with assessing your physical and emotional health
and reviewing information you provide about previous
surgeries, past and current medical conditions, as well
as nutritional supplements, herbal remedies and pharmaceutical
medications you take.
He will examine your eyes, assessing the quality of
your skin, and may have you make some facial expressions
to determine the cause of the problem. He may also review
photographs of you at an earlier age to see how the
aging process has affected you.
He will recommend the exact procedure, or procedures,
needed to bring about the desired result, outlining
the techniques and incisions needed, the type of anesthesia,
where the surgery will be performed and the risks and
possibility of complications. He may also recommend
non-surgical treatments like Botox® and/or Cosmoplast®
to enhance the surgical outcome.
He will advise you to avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen
products, Vitamin E and certain herbal medications before
surgery, as these can cause increased bleeding or have
undesirable effects with anesthesia.
A staff member may take photographs of you, and using
computer imaging technology, provide you with a before/after
comparison for discussion purposes. You will also be
provided with the financial details, along with a suggested
plan of action should you decide to take the next step
toward eyelid surgery.
How Eyelid Surgery is Performed
Surgery can be performed separately on the upper eyelids,
lower eyelids or both the upper and lower lids can be
done together.
With upper eyelid blepharoplasty, an incision is made
to the inside corner of the upper lid and is then extended
across the lid along the natural fold, or crease. From
this incision, excess skin and fat is carefully removed.
This incision line is hidden by the fold, and will not
be visible.
With lower eyelid blepharoplasty, an incision is made
just below the lower lashes. Through this incision,
excess skin and fat are removed. At times, when the
muscle is causing too much thickness, a section of the
muscle is removed. In some patients, the underlying
muscle is also tightened.
When the lower eyelids only need fat removed, a transconjunctival
blepharoplasty is performed. In this procedure, the
incision is placed inside the lower eyelid so there
is no external incision.
Surgery is performed outpatient under intravenous sedation
or general anesthesia and takes 1 to 2 hours, or longer,
if additional procedures are performed at the same time.
Recovery from Eyelid Surgery
You will be discharged with cold compresses over your
eyes. You may experience temporary blurred vision created
by the lubricant used to protect your eyes, and this
will resolve in a few days. You will experience some
bruising, swelling, excess tearing or dryness of the
eyes, itching and sensitivity to light. These symptoms
are usually mild and resolve within the first week.
Bruising below the eyes and over the cheeks can be improved
with homeopathic medications we provide.
You’ll be back to work and most of your normal
activities within one week. If necessary, special camouflage
makeup can be applied to cover any bruising that remains.
You won’t be able to wear contact lenses for several
weeks, but glasses may be worn instead.
Your New Look
Your friends, family and coworkers won't even know
you had eyelid surgery unless you tell them - although
many will probably remark that you look alert and refreshed.
But you’ll know each time you look in the mirror…because
there will now be a much younger person looking back
at you!
|
