Did you know that your eyes are the most important aspect of your facial attractiveness. Loose skin over your eyes and fat bags under your eyes can make you appear sad, tired, or older than you are really are. Dr. Chaudhry can restore a more youthful, alert, and healthy looking appearance to your eyes with this minimally invasive procedure. Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures due to a high level of patient satisfaction for both men and women.
The Effects of Heredity and Time
Your eyes are usually the first thing that people notice about your appearance. They are probably the most important aspect of facial attractiveness. Even with a good night’s sleep, loose skin over your eyes or fat bags under your eyes can make you look tired or sad or older than you really are. As we go through life, even if we have taken care of ourselves, the skin around our eyes stretches and wrinkles. Fatty deposits cause the upper lids to sag while under the eye the tissue can bulge forward and become discolored. In severe cases, vision can become partially blocked.
Typically, these unwanted characteristics come with age, beginning in the late thirties and early forties, but hereditary factors can cause a much younger person to appear prematurely aged. Exposure to the sun, use of alcohol, smoking, and less than optimal nutrition all accelerate the signs of aging.
Fortunately, through modern techniques and advances in an eyelid rejuvenation procedure called blepharoplasty, your doctor can help restore a more youthful, alert, and healthy look to your eyes. Sometimes referred to as a “mini-face lift,” blepharoplasty has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for both men and women because of its high level of patient satisfaction. Blepharoplasty can be performed on both the upper and lower eyelids.
Before Blepharoplasty
As a general rule, insurance does not cover cosmetic surgery. However, if your eyelids are encroaching upon your field of vision, the procedure may be covered as “medically necessary” surgery.
Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat--usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes - features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision. However, it won't remove crow's feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of your ethnic or racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or browlift.
Before surgery, Dr. Chaudhry will evaluate the condition and health of your eyes. Specifics regarding your vision, tear production, use of contact lenses, use of medications, and personal expectations will be discussed. This information, along with other factors such as age, skin type, and ethnic background, will allow both you and your surgeon to come to a mutual decision. Together, a plan will be discussed regarding the surgical technique, amount of surgery, and type of anesthesia to be used.
Complications can occur with any surgery; however, with blepharoplasty, serious complications are rare, and most that do occur can usually be corrected. Be sure to ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding risks and complications before giving your consent for blepharoplasty.
During Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is generally done using local anesthetic. You may be given a mild sedative to help you relax. Depending on the amount of tissue to be removed, you could be in the operating suite for several hours.
When performed on the upper eyelids, your doctor will remove the excess skin, muscle, and fatty tissue that tend to accumulate in the inside corner of the eye, next to the nose. The incisions are made along the natural folds in the skin so that as they heal, they become difficult, if not impossible, to see with the passage of time.
When performed on the lower eyelids, providing there is not too much excess skin, your Dr. Chaudhry will make the incision inside or behind the eyelid. This technique is called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty which allows the removal of fatty deposits while avoiding the need for an external incision. If there is excessive skin or muscle folds below the eye, an incision may also be made just below the base of the eyelashes. As this incision heals, the fine scar should also become barely visible.
After Blepharoplasty
After the procedure, you will need to have someone drive you home. Bruising and swelling is common after the surgery and is usually noticeable for a week to a month after the surgery, but longer in some cases. Cold compresses as well as head elevation will help reduce swelling and bruising and minimize discomfort. Eye ointments and/or eye drops may be given to keep the eye moist and clean. Postoperative discomfort is usually relatively mild, although this will vary from patient to patient. Most patients require little, if any, pain medication.
Your eyes may feel sticky, dry, and itchy for a week or so after the procedure. You will need to take special care in cleaning around the eyes for the first week or two. Your surgeon will give you a list of activities and environments to avoid during that time. Stitches are usually removed within five to ten days after surgery. Self-absorbing stitches will dissolve on their own. Make-up can usually be applied to camouflage bruising after the stitches are removed and a good pair of sunglasses may help you feel better when in public for a while. It is important to follow all of your post-operative instructions to speed healing and reduce the risks of incurring complications.
Results of Blepharoplasty
Most patients experience a marked improvement in the appearance of their eyes after blepharoplasty. In addition to improving some patients’ vision, most patients report feeling more alert and energetic. Although the positive effects of having blepharoplasty on your appearance will be immediate, your results will not be considered final for up to a year as the healing process continues.
If you want to look as good as you feel, ask your doctor if you are a candidate for blepharoplasty.
