Often the first thing we notice about another person is his or her eyes. Excess skin, lines, and puffiness around the eyes contribute to an aged appearance, while sagging eyebrows can make a person look tired. Blepharoplasty and brow lift are corrective eyelid surgeries that are often performed in conjunction with each other. They can reduce "bags" under the eyes, remove excess skin from the upper or lower lid, and provide a wider, more youthful look to the eyes.
Reasons for Considering Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery might be considered for the following reason:
Eyelid surgery will improve the loose and bunching skin around the eyes, but it will not affect crows feet or wrinkles on the sides of the eys. These concerns are best treated with an injectable solution such as BOTOX.
General Procedure
Eyelid surgery is peformed on an outpatient basis in the operating room under sedation or general anesthesia. It typically takes one to two hours.
Eyelid surgery begins with the placement of incisions in the natural creases around the eyes. If only fat is being removed the incisions are placed on the inside of the lower lid. The bulging fat, if any, is gently removed followed by the excess skin. The incisions are closed with multiple, very fine sutures; antibiotic ointment and ice are then applied.
Recovery
Normally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery which can be treated with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize the risk for potential problems by carefully following the post-operative directions given after the surgery.