Considering Eyelid Surgery?

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 Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery is Performed

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.

How is my plastic surgeon able to improve the appearance of my upper eyelids?

or 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.

What is done to improve the appearance of my lower 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.

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.