| FAQ : Criteria |
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Who is a candidate for Upper Eyelid Surgery
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Any one 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.
- Droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the
iris (colored portion of the eye).
- Bags and dark circles under the eyes,
often with a depression along the bony border of the lower eyelids. |
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| FAQ : Surgical
Procedure |
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What is a blepharoplasty? |
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Blepharoplasty or more commonly known as
cosmetic surgery of the eyes, is a common procedure that is performed to adjust
the contour and skin patterns around the eyes. Whether is be from exposure to
sunlight, genetics or age, blepharoplasty, along with other procedures such as
brow and forehead lifts, can reduce the amount of wrinkles, lines and puffiness
sometimes caused by these conditions. The main process of blepharoplasty
involves removing excess skin and fat from the upper and lower
eyelids. |
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How will my surgeon evaluate me for aesthetic eyelid
surgery? |
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You should come to the consultation prepared
to discuss your medical history including previous surgeries, past and present
medical conditions and current medication. 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. You will be asked if allergies, especially if they affect your eyes.
You will be asked whether you have ever tried and were unable to wear contact
lenses. If you currently wear glasses or contact lenses, you should bring them
with you. 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 problem with your eyes. One of several surgical techniques may be
suggested to improve the appearance of your eyelids. The particular technique
that will be recommended will depend on many factors such as the amount of
excess fat and skin in the eyelid areas, the position of your eyebrows, and the
condition of the muscles around your eyes. |
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What is done to improve the appearance of my Lower
Eyelids? |
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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, it may be decided 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. |
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How much pain is there? |
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Initially, you may feel a tight sensation
around the eyes, with minor discomfort that lasts for a day or two. A mild pain
reliever can be taken as needed. People who have had the procedure are often
surprised at how painless eyelid surgery can be. Many times, isolated eyelid
surgery can be performed under local anesthesia with a total recovery time as
short as 7 to 10 days. (Recovery time varies from person to person.) |
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How is the eyelid surgery performed? |
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Eyelid surgery is usually performed using
local anesthesia and light intravenous sedation. It is commonly done in a
doctor's office, outpatient surgical center or, in some cases, in a hospital.
Eyelid surgery is most often performed on an outpatient basis. |
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Are there scars from the eyelid surgery
procedure? |
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Scars are a result of any surgical procedure. The
incisions made to accomplish the goals of surgery of the eyelids are barely
visible after several months as they are placed within the normal creases and
folds of the upper and lower eyelids. In patients who only need removal of fat
from the lower eyelids, the incision can be made on the inside of the eyelid,
and will therefore result in an invisible scar. |
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| FAQ : Result |
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What are some of the most common benefits of this
surgery? |
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Lower eyelid blepharoplasty can make a remarkable
difference in the appearance of the face, alleviating the appearance of
tiredness and old age by eliminating the excess, wrinkly skin beneath the eyes.
The eyes appear fresher and more youthful, and the results may last for many
years. The degree of improvement varies from patient to patient.
Important
note: Lower eyelid blepharoplasty will not eliminate dark circles, fine lines or
wrinkles around the eyes, or alter sagging eyebrows. To enhance the results of
your eyelid procedure, your doctor may also recommend:
1. a brow lift to
correct a drooping brow and smooth the forehead
2. a facelift for saggy
jowls, and/or
3. skin resurfacing to eliminate fine lines.
The eyes
appear fresher and more youthful, and these results may last for many years. The
degree of improvement varies from patient to patient. |
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What is the long-term outcome like for most
people? |
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The more alert, youthful look that this
surgery provides is usually long lasting. Thin scars may remain slightly pink
for six months or so, but can easily be concealed with makeup. They eventually
fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line. The removal of fat is permanent,
but the looseness of the skin and fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may return
in the future. 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. If
continued loss of skin tone in the forehead later causes sagging of the
eyebrows, a forehead lift or second eyelid procedure may be performed. |
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How long will the results last? |
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The results of aesthetic 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 with 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. |
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| FAQ : Post
Operative |
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When can I resume my normal activities? |
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Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during
the early postoperative period. In many instances, however, you will be able to
resume most of your normal activities in 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. |
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How will I look and feel initially? |
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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. You may be instructed
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 persists for several weeks, while others may be seen 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. You may be recommended eyedrops to help relieve any
burning or itching. You may want to wear dark glasses for a couple of weeks to
protect your eyes from wind and sun irritation. |
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Will the fine wrinkles around my eyes go away after
blepharoplasty? What about my sagging eyebrows and dark circles under my
eyes? |
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The blepharoplasty procedure will not eradicate the
wrinkles around the eyes (crow s feet) nor will it elevate droopy eyebrow. There
are other procedures designed for these purposes. Dark circles under the eyes
may improve a bit if this is related to large bags , but most often the dark
appearance of the lower eyelid skin remains. |
