Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure to remove fat, usually along with excess skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids. With aging and occasional genetic disposition, excess droopiness of the upper eyelids and puffy bags of the lower lids can occur resulting in tired or sad eyes. Eyelid surgery can rejuvenate and refresh your eyes. On the other hand, ethnic patients such as Asians will present with no or undefined upper lid crease. A specific variation of upper eyelid surgery will create a natural double lid crease. Other procedures such as facelift and browlift can be combined with eyelid surgery to help rejuvenate the entire face. If you are considering eyelid surgery, please contact Dr Vu for a complimentary consultation.
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Choosing to have a Blepharoplasty
If you have loose excess skin hanging from the upper eyelids or puffy upper eyelids, excess skin and bags of your lower eyelids, you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery. It will not remove all wrinkles, eliminate dark circles, or lift sagging eyebrows. Patients should be in good health and have realistic expectations. During the consultation, Dr. Vu will listen to your concerns and carefully examine your face. He will discuss available options and risks involved so that you can make an informed decision.
The Procedure
The technique that will be used during your eyelid surgery will vary depending upon the amount of fat and skin in your eyelid areas and the position of your eyebrow. Dr. Vu will choose the best surgical technique that will yield the best results for you. Eyelid surgery is performed under local anesthesia with or without IV sedation in our AAAASF certified surgical suite. Typically it takes 45min-1 hour for either upper or lower lid surgery. To correct sagging or droopiness of the upper eyelid, an incision is made in the natural crease of the upper eyelid. This allows for any scar line to be concealed in your natural eyelid structure. After the incision is made, excess fat is removed along with excess skin and muscle. To correct the lower eyelid bags, the incision is made just below the eye lash line and excess skin, muscle and fat are removed. If hollowness is present along bony rim, fat can be repositioned to create a more youthful eye. The scar is well hidden along natural crease line. Occasionally if only fat excess presents an incision can be made inside the lower lid thus avoiding external scar. Any fine lines can be improved with chemical or laser peel.
Recovery
Eyelid surgery is typically done on an outpatient basis, and patients. Right after your surgery, ointment and a cold compress will be applied or your eyes. Initially, your eyelids may swell, bruise, or you may experience dry eyes and irritation. Medications, ointment, and cold compresses may be used to help remedy these effects. Discomfort generally resolves within 24-48 hours and non-strenous activities can be initiated. Dr Vu will give you intructions for postoperative care. Following your eyelid surgery, it will typically take between 5-7 days to heal and sutures will need to be removed. The swelling will go down within a few days, and bruising should be resolved in one week. In the meantime, makeup can be applied to the face to conceal the remaining bruises. As your swelling and bruising subside after your eyelid surgery, you will begin to notice visible improvements. Final results will take a few months as the healing process is gradual. However, you will notice a better defined eyelid crease and disappearance of lower lid bags revealing more alert and rejuvenated eyes.