Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

Eyelid Surgery at a glance
1. Surgery: Corrects drooping lids, puffy bags, muscle, and excessive fat
2. Time: One-half to one and one-half hours
3. Anesthesia: Local at times, general
4. Recovery: A week to ten days
5. Side Effects: Rare tightness of lids,bruising swelling, burning
6. Risks: Blurring or double vision, infecion, swelling in corners of lids
7. Degree of Permanence: Often a lifetime

Eyelids
The eyelids are frequently the first areas to show signs of aging, resulting in a tired, sad appearance. This causes patients concern because the eyes are usually the first features that we notice in a person's face. The problem tends to be excess skin in the upper and lower eyelids. Or it could be an accumulation of fat, causing "baggy" eyelids. Many times this tendency may be hereditary and can be seen at an early age. It can also be seen in people with allergies and those who suffer from fluid retention. Initially, the bags may only be noticeable when first getting up in the morning. As the problem becomes more severe, this puffy look may persist throughout the day. An additional cause may be the attachment of the skin to the upper eyelid muscle. With aging their may be significant disruption of this attachment, causing a lax, tired look. Eyelid surgery does not remove the small creases around the eyes.

Procedure
Surgery on the upper eyelids involves an incision made in the fold of the lid. On the lower eyelid, the incision is made in a natural crease directly below the eyelashes if skin has to be removed, more recently, where bags need to be removed, an incision is made on the inside of the lid to prevent any visible scars. Some bruising and swelling occur in the upper and lower eyelids. This will persist for seven to ten days. No bandages are needed.

Convalescence
After a week the patient can use makeup to camouflage most of the residual bruising. Strenuous activities are restricted for a short time after surgery. The patient is not able to wear contact lenses for several days after surgery due to eyelid swelling.

Risks
The risks are minimal. There have been rare cases of asymmetry of the eyelids (each eye not exactly the same). This condition also exists with those who have not had eyelid surgery. A rare drooping of the eyelid can happen. When the muscle tone in the much older patient is especially weak or the lid has been stretched out, additional surgical techniques are available to correct this problem. As with any surgery, infection or bleeding can occur. These problems are very rare. The removal of too much skin (a rare occurrence) can result in over correction, requiring additional surgery. However, in the majority of patients, eyelid surgery is very successful and provides removal of excess skin and fat resulting in a rested and more youthful appearance. In those cases where the hanging upper eyelid skin is partially Cosmetic Surgery obstructing your field of vision, the operation can actually improve you ability to see.