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Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
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Concepts in facial rejuvenation over the past five years have changed dramatically. In the past, all that was considered was a facelift. As time went on, eyelid surgery and brow elevation became part of the standard surgical treatment. Over the past five years, we have learned that we no longer want to just address the laxity of the soft tissues and the wrinkling with just a facelift and removal of eyelid fat and skin. Now we look at the entire facial complex and for consideration of ways to reposition tissues including eyelid skin and fat.
Eyelid surgery is often times the first procedure that patients seek for improving their image as they age. Blepharoplasty is sometimes performed at an early age, 25 to 40, because of an inherited tendency for the fat to herniate below the eye leaving bags and circles. Patients seeking treatment for their eyelids usually complain of excess upper eyelid skin. In the lower eyelids, the concern is usually wrinkles, and thin, redundant skin. Fat can also become more prominent in the lower eyelid with the descent of the tissues, and a groove can form between the eyelid fat and the cheek skin.
In the past, upper and lower lid blepharoplasty frequently removed skin, small amounts of muscle and the excess fat. Today, patients generally desire a more natural look and this precludes the need to remove all of the excess fat. Now a more conservative removal is performed in the upper lid and in most patients, the lower lid fat is redraped onto the cheek in order to fill the groove that usually occurs with aging.
The eyelift or blepharoplasty is performed under light sedation and local anesthesia. It is a safe procedure with very few complications although it is always possible to have problems with the eye. Most patients have minimal pain and are able to return to work within three to five days; however, they will have some bruising which may be present for one to two weeks.
Blepharoplasty can also be an important adjunct to facelifting. When the descent of the cheek tissues separates the fat from the eyelid fat, a prominent groove is formed. Redistributing the fat can be helpful, however, repositioning the cheek tissue is usually the best alternative. This is best accomplished with either an endoscopic midface lift or a standard facelift.
In all cases, an important part of the planning is determining what an individual patient desires and what they see as their abnormality or sign of aging. Occasionally, the most noticeable part is only the eyelid or the face and this then becomes the central focus of the rejuvenation surgery. However, frequently all aspects of rejuvenation may need to be considered sometime along the line in order to help the patient keep a youthful image.
If You're Considering Eyelid 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.
If you're considering eyelid surgery, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon. Please ask your surgeon about anything you don't understand.
The Best Candidates for Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
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As people age, the eyelid skin stretches, muscles weaken, and fat accumulates around the eyes, causing "bags" above and below. |
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.
A few medical conditions make blepharoplasty more risky. They include thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. A detached retina or glaucoma is also reason for caution; check with your ophthalmologist before you have surgery.
All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk
When eyelid surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including infection or a reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon's instructions both before and after surgery.
The minor complications that occasionally follow blepharoplasty include double or blurred vision for a few days; temporary swelling at the corner of the eyelids; and a slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out; your surgeon can remove them easily with a very fine needle.
Following surgery, some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep; in rare cases this condition may be permanent. Another very rare complication is ectropion, a pulling down of the lower lids. In this case, further surgery may be required.
Planning Your Surgery
The initial consultation with your surgeon is very important. The surgeon will need your complete medical history, so check your own records ahead of time and be ready to provide this information. Be sure to inform your surgeon if you have any allergies; if you're taking any vitamins, medications (prescription or over-the-counter), or other drugs; and if you smoke.
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The surgeon closes the incisions with fine sutures, which will leave nearly invisible scars. | In this consultation, your surgeon or a nurse will test your vision and assess your tear production. You should also provide any relevant information from your ophthalmologist or the record of your most recent eye exam. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, be sure to bring them along. You and your surgeon should carefully discuss your goals and expectations for this surgery. You'll need to discuss whether to do all four eyelids or just the upper or lower ones, whether skin as well as fat will be removed, and whether any additional procedures are appropriate. Your surgeon will explain the techniques and anesthesia he or she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. (Note: Most insurance policies don't cover eyelid surgery, unless you can prove that drooping upper lids interfere with your vision. Check with your insurer.) Don't hesitate to ask your doctor any questions you may have, especially those regarding your expectations and concerns about the results.
Preparing for Your Surgery
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.
While you're making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a few days if needed.
Where Your Surgery will be Performed
Eyelid surgery may be performed in a surgeon's office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It's usually done on an outpatient basis; rarely does it require an inpatient stay.
Eyelid surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia--which numbs the area around
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Before surgery, the surgeon marks the incision sites, following the natural lines and creases of the upper and lower eyelids. | your eyes--along with oral or intravenous sedatives. You'll be awake during the surgery, but relaxed and insensitive to pain. (However, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort.) Some surgeons prefer to use general anesthesia; in that case, you'll sleep through the operation.
Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. If you're having all four eyelids done, the surgeon will probably work on the upper lids first, then the lower ones.
In a typical procedure, the surgeon makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your 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 your eyes. Working through these incisions, the surgeon separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims sagging skin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.
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Underlying fat, along with excess skin and muscle, can be removed during the
operation. | If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but don't need to have any skin removed, your surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside your lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.
After Your Surgery
After surgery, the surgeon will probably lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply a bandage. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off, but you can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. If you feel any severe pain, call your surgeon immediately.
Your surgeon will instruct you to keep your head elevated
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In a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, a tiny incision is made inside the lower eyelid and fat is removed with fine forceps.
No skin is removed, and the incision is closed with dissolving sutures. | for several days, and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. (Bruising varies forn person to person: it reaches its peak during the first week, and generally lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month.) You'll be shown how to clean your eyes, which may be gummy for a week or so. Many doctors recommend eyedrops, since your eyelids may feel dry at first and your eyes may burn or itch. For the first few weeks you may also experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in your eyesight, such as blurring or double vision.
Your surgeon will follow your progress very closely for the first week or two. The stitches will be removed two days to a week after surgery. Once they're out, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside, and you'll start to look and feel much better.
Getting Back to Normal
You should be able to read or watch television after two or three days. However, you won't be able to wear contact lenses for about two weeks, and even then they may feel uncomfortable for a while.
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After surgery, the upper eyelids no longer droop and the skin under the eyes is smooth and firm. | Most people feel ready to go out in public (and back to work) in a week to 10 days. By then, depending on your rate of healing and your doctor's instructions, you'll probably be able to wear makeup to hide the bruising that remains. You may be sensitive to sunlight, wind, and other irritants for several weeks, so you should wear sunglasses and a special sunblock made for eyelids when you go out.
Your surgeon will probably tell you to keep your activities to a minimum for three to five days, and to avoid more strenuous activities for about three weeks. It's especially important to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting, and rigorous sports. You may also be told to avoid alcohol, since it causes fluid retention.
Your New Look
Healing is a gradual process, and your scars may remain slightly pink for six months or more after surgery. Eventually, though, they'll fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line.
On the other hand, the positive results of your eyelid surgery-the more alert and youthful look-will last for years. For many people, these results are permanent.
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