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Understanding Blepharoplasty
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Surgery of the
Eyelids
Every year, one hundred thousand men and women choose blepharoplasty to
improve the way they look. Droopy eyelids can make you look older and can
also impair vision. Blepharoplasty corrects these problems and also
removes puffiness and bags under the eyes that make you look worn and
tired. This procedure cannot alter dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles
around the eyes, nor can it change sagging eyebrows. Though blepharoplasty
is often performed as a single procedure, your surgeon may also recommend
a browlift, facelift, or skin resurfacing to achieve the best
results. |
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If you are wondering how blepharoplasty can change the way you took, you need
to know how eyelid surgery is performed and what you can expect from this
procedure.
Successful facial plastic surgery is a result of good rapport between patient
and surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and exacting medical
expertise, develops in the consulting stages before surgery. Your surgeon can
answer specific questions about your specific needs.
Is Blepharoplasty For You?
As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic expectations
are prerequisites. Blepharoplasty removes the excess fat, muscle, and skin from
both upper and lower lids. The results can be a refreshed appearance, with a
younger, firmer eye area.
People with circulatory, ophthalmological, or serious medical conditions must
rely on the diagnostic skills of their own personal specialists to determine
whether blepharoplasty is an option to consider. Consultation with the facial
plastic surgeon can help you decide whether any additional, complementary
surgery would increase the success of the surgery. Your surgeon might
recommend planning a simultaneous forehead lift to correct a drooping brow
and smooth the forehead, or skin resurfacing to remove the fine line wrinkling
in the eye area.
Making The Decision For Blepharoplasty
Whether the surgery is desired for functional or cosmetic reasons, your
choice of a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance. The
patient must also make the commitment to follow the pre-surgical and
post-operative instructions of the surgeon.
During the pre-surgical consultation, you will be examined or asked to answer
queries concerning vision, tear production, use of lenses, and your desires for
surgery. Your surgeon will explain what you can expect from blepharoplasty and
take a complete medical history. Factors to be weighed include age, skin
type, ethnic background, and degree of vision obstruction. Furthermore, you
can expect an open and honest exchange between you and your surgeon, which will
establish the basis for a successful outcome.
After a mutual decision is made by both you and your surgeon, the technique
indicated for your individual surgery will be discussed. The type of anesthesia,
the surgical facility, any supportive surgery, and the risks and costs inherent
in the procedure will be outlined.
Understanding The Surgery
In upper eyelid surgery, the surgeon first marks the individual lines
and creases of the lids in order to keep the scars as invisible as possible
along these natural folds. The incision is made, and excess fat, muscle, and
loose skin are removed. Fine sutures are used to close the incisions, thereby
minimizing the visibility of any scar.
In lower eyelid surgery, the surgeon makes the incision in an inconspicuous
site along the lashline and smile creases of the lower lid. Excess fat, muscle,
and skin are then trimmed away before the incision is closed with fine sutures.
Eyelid puffiness caused primarily by excess fat may be corrected by a
transconjunctival blepharoplasty. The incision in this case is made inside the
lower eyelid, and excess fatty material is removed. When sutures are used to
close this kind of incision, they are invisible to the eye. They are also
self-dissolving and leave no visible scar. Under normal conditions,
blepharoplasty can take from one to two hours.
What To Expect After The Surgery
Immediately after the surgery has been completed, your surgeon may apply tiny
sterile bandages. This is not done for transconjunctival blepharoplasty. It is
not crucial that the eyes be covered. However, an ointment to prevent dryness of
the eye area may be used. A certain degree of swelling and bruising is normal.
Cold compresses, as well as head elevation when lying down, will enhance healing
and relieve discomfort. Your surgeon will prescribe medication for
discomfort.
For a week and a half following blepharoplasty, you will clean the eye area
(the eyes may feel sticky, dry, and itchy). Eyedrops may be recommended. Your
surgeon will also list activities and environments to avoid in the weeks
immediately following surgery. Permanent stitches will be removed in three to
five days after surgery. Self-absorbing stitches will dissolve on their
own.
Facial plastic surgery makes it possible to correct many facial flaws and
signs of premature aging that can undermine self-confidence. By changing how you
look, facial plastic surgery can help change how you feel about
yourself.
Insurance does not generally cover surgery that is done purely for cosmetic
reasons. Surgery to correct or improve vision or surgery for eye deformity or
injury may be reimbursable in whole or in part. It is the patient's
responsibility to check with the insurance carrier for information on the degree
of coverage.
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