Eyelids Surgery (technically called Blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat, excess skin, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids, and puffy bags below the eyes. Blepharoplasty can be done alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as a facelift, necklift, browlift or LipoFill (facial fat grafting).
Click here see eyelid surgery before and after pictures.
THE SURGERY
In a typical procedure, incisions are made in the natural creases of the upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids. The incisions may extend into the crow’s feet or laugh lines at the outer corners of the eye. Working through these incisions, the skin is separated from the underlying fatty tissue and muscle. Excess fat, sagging skin, and muscle are removed, and the incisions are closed with very fine sutures.
For patients who have a pocket of fat beneath the lower eyelids, but do not need to have skin removed, Dr. Ciano may suggest a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure, the incision is made inside the lower eyelid. It requires no sutures and leaves no visible scar. This is usually performed on patients with thicker, more elastic skin.
ANESTHESIA
In the vast majority of cases it is not necessary to use a general anesthesia. We use a conscious sedation (a type of twilight sedation) whereby you are up and ready to go home after your procedure.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY
After surgery, it will be necessary for you to lubricate your eyes with ointment and to use artificial tears to relieve any dryness, itching or burning. Your eyes may feel tight, but pain, for most patients, is negligible.
You will be instructed to keep your head elevated for several days and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. (Bruising varies from person to person and reaches its' peak during the first two days). In the early stages of healing, you may also experience tearing, sensitivity to light, or temporary changes in your eyesight - such as blurring or double vision.
Dr. Ciano will follow your progress very closely during the immediate post-operative phase. The stitches will be removed three to four days after surgery. Once they are out, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside, and you will start to look and feel much better.
YOUR NEW LOOK
Healing is a gradual process, and your scars may remain slightly pink for six months, or more, after surgery. Eventually, they’ll fade to a thin, nearly invisible, white line, but the more alert and youthful appearance will last for years and, for many people, these results are permanent.
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