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Blepharoplasty (eye surgery)
The
eyes, commonly referred to as the windows of the soul, say a great
deal about a person. We evaluate people's moods or attitudes by
the light in their eyes or its absence. The loose skin over your
eyes and the fat bags under them make you look more tired and older
than you feel inside.
Contrary
to the perception that you have to be a certain age before you need
to have your eyes done, young adults may also benefit from removing
bags under the eyes or lifting heavy lids. The average person as
early as age 25 may have enough laxity in the upper eyelid that
they can obtain significant improvement and at age approximately
25-30 for the lower eyelid.
Operations
on the eyelids are not only among the most commonly performed plastic
surgery procedures but also the ones that give you a high degree
of improvement, and satisfaction. It may be performed alone or in
conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift
or a brow lift.
THE
PROCEDURE
The
goal of eyelid surgery is to rejuvenate the face by restoring the
shape of the eye. Blepharoplasty is usually performed under local
anesthesia and sedation. Fine incisions are placed in the crease
above each eye to correct problems of the upper eyelids. Then a
thin crescent of excess skin and muscle is removed.
Excess
fatty tissue from the middle most portion of the eyelid is also
removed. Sometimes there is also excess fatty tissue at the region
over the eyebrow that can be removed in the same procedure. The
incisions are closed with very fine sutures. The lower eyelid has
two surgical approaches. The one we use the most is through a transconjuntival
approach which is an incision where the scar is hidden inside the
eyelid and is performed in patients that have only excess fatty
tissue.
When
excess skin and muscle needs to be removed, there is an incision placed in the natural simple crease below the lash line . Skin and
muscle are repositioned and excess skin is removed. Neither incision
requires any contact with the eyeball itself. When the surgery is
finished a lubricating ointment is frequently placed on the eyeball.
The whole procedure takes usually between one and a half to two
hours.
POSTOPERATORY
During
the first 24 hours , cold compresses are applied to the eyelids
to reduce swelling and bruising. This surgery is done as an outpatient
procedure, so if the operation is performed in the morning, you
will be discharged in the afternoon after resting in your suite
and feel comfortable to go.
This
is as close to pain free plastic surgery as you can get. You may
be given prescription pain medication, but it is unlikely that you
would need to use it for more than a day, if at all. Sutures are
removed usually at 48-72 hours. You will be allowed to return to
work in three to four days, but most people would wait a week to
allow bruising to resolve.
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