Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure to remove excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids along with removing or repositioning excess fat. Most patients are interested in correcting puffiness of the eyelids and excess skin of both the upper and the lower eyelids.

Oftentimes patients complain that they appear more tired than they feel. Sometimes fat is repositioned from the lower eyelid into the deep tear troughs or the deep depressions that exist at the bottom of the lower eyelids. The incisions are easily hidden below the eyelashes of the lower eyelids and sometimes performed with no incision on the lower eyelid whatsoever, called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty.

The upper eyelid incision is hidden very well back within the deep crease that is seen when the eye is shut, but retracts back when the eyelid is open. Many times eyelid surgery is performed at the same time as a face lift or a brow lift.

Facelift is a surgical procedure that eases signs of aging by removing excess skin, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin over the face and neck. Most face lift patients are interested in improving the deep lines present on their cheeks, the excess skin along the jaw line known as jowls, and the excess skin and sagging of their neck. Often prospective facelift patients complain they look much more tired than they feel and are looking for a natural youthful appearance.

Most patients do not want to look overdone or pulled. The key to looking natural after surgery is to tighten the underlying muscles of the face without much tension on the skin. The best facelifts do not distort the hairline behind the ears or sideburn in front of the ear. The earlobes should also be left in place without being pulled forward. The surgical incisions should be difficult to detect.

The surgery will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone and discuss your goals for the surgery. The surgeon will check for medical problem such as high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive sears.

You will be asked to stop smoking for few weeks before and after the surgery as it inhibits blood flow to skin and healing process. You will be asked to stop talking aspirins it effects clotting. It your hair is to short, you can let it grow long before surgery, so that it is long enough to hide the sears while they heal.

A face lift is usually done on an out patient basis, but some surgeons may hospitalize the patient for a day when using general anesthesia. Most face lifts are performed under local anesthesia combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You will be awake but relaxed and insensitive to pain.

Surgery:

A face lift surgery usually takes several hours. Every surgeon performs the procedure in his or her own way. Some complete one side of the face at a time and other move back and forth between the sides. The incisions are started above the hair line at the temples, extend in the natural line in front of the ear, and continue behind the ear lobe to the lower scalp. A small incision is made under the chin, if the neck needs work.

The surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat is either trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve contour. Then the underlying muscle and membrane is tightened the skin is pulled back and excess skin is removed.

Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions. Metal clips may be used on the scalp. After the surgery a drain tube is placed under the skin behind the ear to drain any blood that might collect there. The head may be loosely wrapped in bandages to minimize bruising ans swelling.

Post operative procedure:

Is there is any discomfort it can be minimized with pain medication. Numbness of the skin is quite normal and will disappear in a month. To keep the swelling down head should be kept elevated and still for a couple of days. Drain tube and bandages will be removed after one to five days.

Your face may appear bruised and puffy but in a few weeks you will look normal. Stitches will be removed after five days. Scalp will take longer to heal. Patients are back to work at about ten days after surgery. But the third week you will look and feel much better.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is the term used to describe upper and/or lower eyelid surgery. While these types of facial surgeries were practiced as early as 3,000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians, and then the Greeks and Romans, it was Karl Ferdinand von Grafe who coined the term blepharoplasty in 1818. At that time, a form of the technique was used to repair deformities caused by cancer in the eyelids.

Purpose Of Blepharoplasty

Today, blepharoplasty is most commonly used as a cosmetic surgery to enhance the appearance of the eyes. The purpose of the procedure is to remove fat deposits, excess skin, and excess muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. The procedure can also reinforce the surrounding muscles and tendons of the eyelids, giving a more youthful look to the eyes. Cosmetic eyelid surgery is often performed in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation surgeries, such as facelifts, brow lifts, etc.

With age, the eyelids can become puffy, wrinkled, and swollen looking. Fat buildups in the eyelids can cause the eyelids to sag. Sometimes, this sagging may interfere with peripheral vision. In these cases, blepharoplasty is a functional eyelid surgery, helping to restore the full range of vision.

Types of Blepharoplasty

Surgery of the upper and lower eyelids is not always the same. The extent of the procedure determines exactly what the process will involve. Normally, incisions are made following the natural lines of the eyelids to reduce the appearance of scars.

However, if there is no removal of excess skin required for the patient, the surgeon may prefer to perform a transconjuctival blepharoplasty. In this case, the incisions are made inside and behind the lower eyelids, so there will be no visible scarring.

Another popular type of eyelid surgery being performed is an Asian blepharoplasty. There are several anatomical differences between the eyelids of Asian and occidental peoples. About one half of the people with eastern or southeastern Asian backgrounds are born without a supratarsal eyelid, sometimes called “single-lidded”. Many of these people choose to have an Asian blepharoplasty performed to artificially create a crease above the eye, and it is reported to be the most common cosmetic surgery procedure among people from eastern and southeastern Asia.

Who Is Blepharoplasty NOT For?

There are a number of conditions which make eyelid surgery dangerous and not advisable. People who experience excessively dry eyes or lack of sufficient tears should avoid this procedure. Disrupting the tear film and other tear producing glands may make the condition even worse. Anyone experiencing glaucoma or other eye conditions may not qualify.

Those who suffer from thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism and Grave’s disease also do not qualify. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or other circulatory disorders may also produce complications.