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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, crepey 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 or laser resurfacing
procedures. Circles beneath the eyes caused by dark pigmentation
may be treated with a bleaching solution or chemical peel. Your
plastic surgeon can provide further information if you have
an interest in any of these additional procedures.
How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for aesthetic eyelid
surgery?
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 your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations
and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your
medical 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.
Your plastic surgeon will want to know if you have allergies,
especially if they affect your eyes. He or she may ask whether
you have ever tried and were unable to wear contact lenses,
you should bring them with you in case your surgeon wants to
test your vision.
It will be necessary for your surgeon 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
your plastic surgeon recommends will depend on may factors such
as the amount of excess fat and skin in the eyelid areas, the
position of your eyebrows, and the condition of muscles around
your eyelids.
How
is my plastic surgeon able to improve the appearance of my upper
eyelids?
 |
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| 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. |
|
Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the
same results from eyelid surgery. Your plastic surgeon will
select the surgical technique that he or she feels will obtain
the best outcome for you.
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.
 |
|
| For lower eyelid surgery, often an incision
is hidden just below the lower lashes. Excess fat in both
the upper and lower eyelids may be removed, or sometimes
lower eyelid fat is redistributed. |
|
How is
my plastic surgeon able to improve the appearance of my upper
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 your surgeon 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.
I
understand that every surgical procedure has risks, but how
will I learn more so that I can make an informed decision?
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.
The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery
is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your surgeon,
or with a staff member in your surgeon's office.
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 the advice
and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after
your eyelid surgery.
How
should I prepare for surgery?
The goal of your plastic surgeon and the entire staff is to
make your surgical experience as easy and comfortable for you
as possible.
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. Your
surgeon 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. Some plastic
surgeons recommend eyedrops 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.
How
long will the results last?
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.
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 your plastic surgeon's 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 your surgeon. |
Content provided by The American Society
for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
For advertising info, please contact Terry McGovern terry.mcgovern@latimes.com at (213) 473-2599
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