EYE LID SURGERY - Blepharoplasty
Why a Chin Augmentation?
Blepharoplasty, or "eyelid tuck," is one of the most dramatically subtle procedures Dr. Corey performs. It is dramatic because it is very common for others to notice afterward that you look very rested or awake, but it is very subtle in that most people are not able to tell exactly why you look so good. During this procedure, excess skin and fat is removed from the eyelids, thus making your eyes appear more open.
Who Should Consider Blepharoplasty?
If you are contemplating this operation, you may complain of looking tired all the time, even after a good night's sleep. You may have bags in your upper or lower eyelids that may have been present since you were very young. There is a strong genetic component for many blepharoplasty patients. You may have noticed an increased difficulty in applying eye make-up, and your mascara may streak onto your upper lids. You may have dark circles under your eyes simply from the shadows caused by the puffy lower lids. By removing excess skin and fat, your eyes appear more open, and that alone makes a dramatic difference in the appearance of your face. This result is the reason blepharoplasty is being performed on a much younger population than ever before. Many patients in their mid-thirties to early forties are choosing to undergo this procedure to enhance their appearance and performance in the workplace, where looking tired and overworked is detrimental. These patients are not waiting until their sixties or seventies when they might combine this surgery with other cosmetic procedures. They are taking advantage of the benefits of blepharoplasty now.
Preparing for Your Surgery
Pre-operatively, Dr. Corey will perform a complete evaluation with you. There are many factors to take into account. You may only have problems with your upper or lower lids, or possibly with all four. On occasion there may be a droop to the actual eyelid itself requiring tightening. You may have very dry eyes, a condition which may be aggravated by the procedure. It should be understood that some patients have drooping upper eyelids combined with a forehead and brow that are too low as well. These factors can contribute a great deal to the problem. Before surgery, Dr. Corey will provide you with information regarding diet, smoking and medications, and you will be given any necessary prescriptions.
During Your Surgery
The operation is performed under general anesthesia (meaning you will be asleep throughout the procedure) at an outpatient surgical facility. A small incision is made in the upper eyelids where a natural eyelid fold will be created, and excess skin and fat are removed. In the lower lids, an incision is usually made just below the lash line, and again skin and fat are removed. In some patients with good skin tone, Dr. Corey can make the incision on the inside of the lower lid, thereby removing the fat and leaving no external incision. It usually takes one and a half to two hours for all four eyelids.
Post-Operative Care
Post-operatively, you should use gentle ice packs on your eyelids (frozen peas or corn in a zip lock bag work well) and elevate your head. For the first several days, your results may look fairly scary. Some swelling and discoloration can be expected. You will apply ointment to your eyes on a regular basis. One side almost always heals faster than the other, and some small ridges in the incision may be present at the beginning. Your incisions may also itch and feel a bit numb as well. All of these effects subside over the next week or so. By day four or five, you will notice a dramatic improvement, and you will be ready to venture outside wearing dark glasses. Women can apply eye make-up by the fifth to seventh day, and this is also when most people are ready to return to work. Don't be surprised if people notice a difference; however, they may wonder if you've changed your hairstyle or ask where you went for your vacation.