CONSULTANT PLASTIC SURGEON
EYELID SURGERY
What is eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids. Surgery can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. Whether you want to improve your appearance or are experiencing functional problems with your eyelids, eyelid surgery can rejuvenate the area surrounding your eyes.
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Eyelid surgery can treat loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision, upper eye surface is too small or not smooth enough to apply makeup, fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids, making your eyes look tired and aged, bags under the eyes and excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid.
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In general, you may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you do not have serious eye conditions, you are physically fit, are a nonsmoker or have stopped smoking recently, and have realistic expectations of the outcome of your surgery.
“Eyelid surgery is a highly individualized procedure. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfil someone else's desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image, especially those coming from social media. Choosing a procedure based on “what’s new” is never a medically sound decision. Hearing about a procedure on television, through an advertisement or online does not necessarily mean it is the best procedure for you.”
What should I expect during a consultation for eyelid surgery?
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to discuss your cosmetic goals. Dr Ricardo will evaluate you as a candidate for eyelid surgery and clarify what approach is best for you. Alternative and additional treatments may be considered, once he understands your goals and medical condition. It is important to be completely honest during the consultation and be prepared to discuss your medical conditions specifically any problems you have had with your eyes, drug allergies and medical treatments, current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, previous surgeries and why you want the procedure, your expectations, and desired outcome.
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Dr Ricardo will also evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors, take photographs, discuss the approach to your surgery, including the type of procedure or combination of procedures and tell you whether your expectations are in line with typical results, discuss any risks or potential complications and share before-and-after photos of cases similar to yours.
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The success and safety of your eyelid surgery depend very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. It's very important to understand all aspects of your procedure. It's natural to feel some anxiety, whether it's excitement about your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don't be shy about discussing these feelings with Dr Ricardo.
How should I prepare for eyelid surgery?
In preparing for eyelid surgery, you may be asked to get lab testing or a medical evaluation, take certain medications or adjust your current medications, stop smoking in advance of surgery and avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
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The surgery will be performed in an accredited hospital and is usually performed on an outpatient basis unless you and Dr Ricardo have made other plans for your immediate postoperative recovery. You must arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you the first night following surgery.
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Dr Ricardo and the entire staff will provide thorough preoperative instructions and answer any questions you may have. The goal is to help you achieve the most beautiful and natural-looking results, as well as to make your surgical experience as easy, comfortable, and safe as possible.
What are the steps of eyelid surgery?
Step 1 – Anaesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Dr Ricardo will recommend the best choice for you.
Step 2 – Surgical procedure
The incision lines for eyelid surgery are designed so the resultant scars will be well concealed within the natural structures of the eyelid region.
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The upper eyelid can be corrected through an incision within the natural crease on the eyelid. This allows for removal or repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles, and removal of excess skin.
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Conditions of the lower eyelid may be corrected with an incision just below the lower lash line. Through this incision, excess skin in the lower eyelid is removed. Again, the excess fat can be repositioned or removed.
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A transconjunctival incision, created on the inside of the lower eyelid, is an alternate technique to correct lower eyelid conditions and redistribute or remove excess fat. With this technique, no skin is removed and a laser may sometimes be used in conjunction to tighten lower eyelid skin.
Step 3 – Closing the incisions
Eyelid incisions typically are closed with sutures that are removed within 5-7 days. In most cases, there is virtually no detectable scar.
Step 4 – See the results
The results of eyelid surgery will appear gradually as swelling and bruising subside to reveal a smooth, better-defined eyelid and the surrounding region, and a more alert and rejuvenated appearance.
What should I expect during my eyelid surgery recovery?
During your eyelid surgery recovery, lubricating ointment and cold compresses may be applied, and in some cases, your eyes may be loosely covered with gauze, after your procedure is completed.
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You will be given specific instructions on how to care for your eyes, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the potential for infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your overall health and when to follow-up with Dr Ricardo. Remember to always follow his instructions to ensure the success of your surgery.
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There can be swelling or bruising but cosmetics can help camouflage any bruising. Sutures will be removed within 5-7 days. You should be ready to return to work and normal activity after 7-10 days. Initial wound healing may take 10 to 14 days. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the time of healing.
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You must practice diligent sun protection and use darkly tinted sunglasses until the healing process is fully complete and realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
What results should I expect after my eyelid surgery?
Your eyelid surgery results should be long-lasting. For the most part, the removal of hooding and upper eyelid skin is a procedure that is performed only once. As ageing continues, your brow can drop or descend, causing excess skin to reappear on the upper eyelid, but in this case, the solution is a brow lift, not a second upper blepharoplasty. Lower blepharoplasty is usually performed to remove eye bags and puffiness around the eyes, and it too should only need to be performed once.
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Ongoing sun protection will help to maintain your results and a healthy lifestyle extends the results of your rejuvenated, more youthful appearance.