Category: Blepharoplasty

Even though eyelid surgery offers very good results, there are certain risks and complications that the procedure can possibly bring. You should know that such complications are very rare with blepharoplasty, however they are still possible. Surgery performed by a good and highly qualified doctor reduces risk for complications, nonetheless there is still some risk remaining.

Blepharoplasty complications

There may be some complications that almost do not depend upon a doctor. Such are an infection or an inadequate reaction of a patient to anesthesia. These conditions can be controlled with certain medications. Unfortunately, if they happen these complications may cause your recovery period last longer.

Some complications happen as a result of a surgery. Such can be a blurred or double vision for some time after eyelid surgery. Other minor complications may include swelling at the corner of the eyelids and decreased sensation in the eyelid. Some patients may experience asymmetry in healing and scarring. You may also feel dryness, burning, stinging feeling in your eye(s). This could be possible controlled with administration of artificial tear eye drops. Some patients may experience an excessive tearing. These complications are minor and usually temporary and need no serious treatment.

A slightly greater complication is retrobulbar hematoma (an accumulation of blood under skin). This may occur straight after surgery. Blood accumulation under skin may heal gradually itself or it may need to be removed in some cases. Hematoma is more probable when eyelid surgery is performed in combination with other aesthetic facial surgeries, such as facelift, brow lift or forehead lift.

Most complications depend both on a patient’s individual characteristics and on a doctor’s experience. Post-operatively a decreased eyelid function may be observed. Some people may find it hard closing their eyes. This condition is usually temporary and should disappear some time after surgery, however, some patients may need additional treatment. Patients may have difficulty in properly closing their eyes while sleeping. The condition is most often temporary but in some cases it might become permanent. Another problem with the eyelids may include ectropion, pulling down of the lower eyelid, and should be treated with additional surgery. Some complications are associated with healing of the scars. A problem may occur in healing of the incision areas. There may appear prominent or firm scars that would be visible unless covered with make-up. When the surgeon takes out the stitches, tiny whiteheads, called milia, may appear in the sight of the stitches. These whiteheads can be efficiently removed by a surgeon with a fine needle.

More serious complications that can be caused by blepharoplasty include an impaired vision and retinal detachment. Since it is a surgery in the area around the eyes any ophthalmological problems may be a risk for complications after surgery. Your eye doctor’s consultation would be relevant prior to eyelid surgery.

Blepharoplasty never includes systemic complications

Since blepharoplasty is a minor aesthetic surgical procedure it rarely or almost never includes systemic risks and complications. Most of the complications can be easily treated with simple treatment or further surgery may be needed. Additional factors of your physical state may increase risk for complications. Such factors are systemic diseases, such as hypothyroidism, Grave’s disease, insufficient tear production or dryness of the eyes, increased blood pressure, cardiovascular or circulatory disorders, and diabetes. You should discuss all these problems with your doctor pre-operatively so that he or she can evaluate your risk for possible complications.

Be aware that most of the above mentioned complications and risks are very infrequent, however, as with all surgery there is always some risk. Your doctor or a member of his staff should discuss all the possible aspects of risks and complications of eyelid surgery prior to the procedure. Your job is to understand all the possible complications and ask the doctor how you could help yourself to avoid the risk. It is important for you to cooperate with your doctor and carefully follow your doctor’s instructions to reduce the risk. Patience, your will to cooperate and a qualified surgeon are all the factors you need for eyelid aesthetic surgery procedure to go smoothly and without any complications post-operatively.

It depends upon how much help the eyelids require to look better. One of the alternatives is to get enough sleep and fresh air. The cutting down on smoking and drinking also can help. The light-reflective make up is available too. These means are the simplest.

Use creams, gels and beauty treatments, other skin preparations to improve the appearance to tighten the skin around the eyes and to reduce dark rings, however, there is no scientific proof that they work on a permanent basis. Means of beauty should be used regularly otherwise initial appearance will come back. If there is a problem with a heavy brow that contributes to drooping upper eyelid skin the eyelid surgery can be performed, but if patient doesn’t want to the alternative of blepharoplasty would be brow lift that also can fix the problem. If there is an absence of excess fat in the lower eyelids, a simple resurfacing procedure may be very useful. If patient have a need to rid off lines the treatment with botox will perfectly fit! As fine lines begin to occur, particularly those that form around the mouth and eyes laser resurfacing can help minimize them!

Double eyelid surgery or Asian blepharoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgeries among the Asian population. Most of Asian individuals think that upper eyelid is more attractive and can help to look not so sleepy and younger, as well as allows for the ladies to create a more beautiful make-up. And this is not surprising, if we compare any sphere of our life we will find out that we always want something that we do not have a bit more.

The first mentioning of this procedure goes back to 1800 in the Japanese literature. An author of that article described the case when a surgeon created a fold to a second eye as the patient was born only with one fold at all.

To let you know almost half of Asian men and women are born without an upper crease or with the very low or weak one. The reasons for procedure differ according to an individual patient. In the very rare cases they want to look “more western”. In most common cases patients want to create a stable platform of skin above the lashes. Another part of patients desire to remove an excess skin or the fat from the fuller eyelids. Also for some people the drooping eyelids become an obstacle to see well that is why double eyelid surgery is a great help for their vision.

Asian blepharoplasty

Asian blepharoplasty has many differences from the Occidental one. First of all the differences relate to patient goals. In the Occidental eyelid surgery patients seek the rejuvenation for the upper lid. That is why the contingent is of older individuals. While the goal for the double eyelid surgery as it was mentioned is for creating a new crease for people with no crease or with the asymmetrical or unstable one. The most common patients in this case are in their twenties or young thirties. Comparing the number of men and women the latter seems to be more frequent one.

Technique of double eyelid surgery

The plastic surgery itself will have some stages. First of all you will discuss all the tiny things about the procedure and the healing period. The most important thing to discuss is your expectations and the reality. According to the shape and position of the eyelid crease as well as the height of the eyebrow the doctor would be able to tell and show you the result.

The surgeons may use different techniques. In most cases the small incisions are made and the excess fat and skin are removed.

There is an option to avoid the surgical intervention. Especially for young patients the procedure can be performed with no incisions at all. The results are permanent. If there is need to remove the fat or some extra skin this can be done with the special laser. Such surgery ends with no bruising and as follows you can return to work in a few days or a week.

Double eyelid surgery side effects and complications

After double eyelid surgery it is normal to swell and cold compresses can reduce the side effects (they are required to be used for two days). For some patients this cosmetic procedure can cause dry or sticky eyes what can be relieved by using eye drops or ointment. Speaking about the scars they are usually cured with the laser or hidden them with the eyelid folds. You are allowed to wash your face after 48 hours and the first signs of improvement start to show on the third day. Your stitches will be removed after five days.

As every plastic surgery this one might carry some complications as well. One of them is asymmetry. In this case you can expect to have another operation in a half year. Loss of crease happens very rarely but still happens. Ptosis occurs if it was failed to recognize a preexisting ptotic condition (it can be fixed using an open approach). If the correct approach was used and it happened so then it can be explained by some anatomical considerations. Retraction is question of time, usually it corrects over it. This depends on the type of technique was used. If it was an open approach then it is corrected by the suture method – incision is entered again and adjusted to the offending sutures.

Double eyelid surgery cost

To sum up, Asian blepharoplasty is a very popular surgical procedure in Asia and America and most commonly among women. There are various techniques each adjusted to individual situation. And the last thing to mention is the fee- it may cost you from 1000 $.

Eyelid surgery, as all cosmetic surgery, requires individual payment. You should be aware that most insurance company policies do not cover the cost of cosmetic surgery, except for some rare cases when cosmetic surgery is needed to reconstruct vital functions of the body organs. If sagging eyelids or bags under your eyes interfere with your vision, the cost of eyelid surgery may be covered by an insurance company. It is especially done if eyelid problems appear in a younger age.

Eyelid surgery cost

When blepharoplasty is performed for only cosmetic reasons it is usually not covered by medical insurance. It is patients’ responsibility to check with their insurance company for possible coverage of costs of surgery. Your surgeon may also be helpful in advising whether there is any possibility that blepharoplasty cost could be covered by your medical insurance provider.

Although the cost of eyelid surgery depend upon varies factors, an average price for blepharoplasty in the United States is $2,500.

The price may vary depending on the region and state. Blepharoplasty is usually cheaper if the practice is in suburban or urban area. The most expensive state for blepharoplasty is New England, where an average price of eyelid surgery is $3,500. Blepharoplasty is the cheapest in south central or north central states — the price varying from $2,100 to $2,400. Bear in mind that the above mentioned price only covers a surgeon and physician costs.

You will have to add cost of anesthesia and other additional costs. This might be up to additional $2000. The price also depends on the extent of eyelid surgery. It is the highest if all four eyelids are fixed. Since you may also need additional facial surgeries, do not forget to add those to the total cost.

Finally, before deciding to have eyelid surgery choose the practice that would suit you best. Note that unwise saving on surgical procedures may cause more trouble. As there are quite a few factors that affect the price ofeyelid surgery , it is relevant for you to check as many practices as possible in order to choose the best value and a good, experienced doctor.

If you consider having eyelid surgery you might be unsure about how serious and complicated this surgical procedure is. You might also have some questions on how blepharoplasty is performed, how long it takes and how long would you have to stay in a hospital. This chapter will basically answer most of your questions on eyelid surgery process.

Blepharoplasty surgery

After your initial consultation a doctor decides whether you need eyelid surgery alone or in combination with other facial cosmetic surgeries. After thorough discussion of your medical history, your problems and expectations a surgeon will decide whether you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery and if so, he or she will give you detail information on how to prepare properly for your surgery.

Blepharoplasty may be done in an outpatient surgical department or a hospital under local anesthesia usually. Local anesthetic drugs are injected prior to surgery in the area around your eyes to make this area numb. Additionally, oral or intravenous sedatives are given in order for you to be relaxed during blepharoplasty surgery . During surgery you will stay awake but you will not experience any pain and will be totally relaxed. Most frequently blepharoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis and you will not need inpatient stay before or after surgery.

Eyelid surgery is a minor cosmetic procedure to improve your looks by improving puffy bags below the eyes and drooping upper lids. Eyelid surgery lasts from 1 to 3 hours. This depends on how much should be done. Both upper and lower lids can be done at a time or only upper or lower eyelids can be operated separately. If you decide to have all four eyelids done during one surgery, a surgeon will first operate the upper eyelids, then the lower ones.

If you are worried about postoperative scars, you shouldn’t because all incisions are made in the natural folds of the eyelids. Starting with the upper eyelids a surgeon makes an incision in the crease of your lower lid. The incision may extend from one corner of the eye to the other. Then he or she works through that incision in order to separate the skin from the tissues underneath. Excess fat and skin is removed and, if needed, the muscle is shortened to give you a bright glance and smooth and firm skin of the upper lids. Very fine sutures close the incisions in the upper eyelids and a surgeon continues with the lower ones, if you and your surgeon decide that you need the lower eyelids corrected as well as upper ones.

Incisions in the lower eyelids can be modified. If you only need excess fat removed but no excess skin from your lower eyelid, an incision can be made transconjunctively. The procedure is called transconjunctival blepharoplasty and involves no visible scar postoperatively, since an incision is made on the inside of a lower lid. This is usually possible for patients who have a thick and elastic skin. Transconjuntival blepharoplasty therefore is most frequently performed on younger patients.

However, if puffiness of your lower eyelids involves also sagging and excess skin, surgeon’s approach is from the outside of the lower lid. An incision also is made in the natural creases of your lids, just below the lashes in the lower lids.

Excess fat and skin is then removed and surgery finishes with very fine sutures leaving almost invisible scars. Excess or wrinkled skin can also be if not removed then smoothened with the help of carbon dioxide laser. Since most incisions are made in the natural creases of the eyelids, except for transconjuctival blepharoplasty, scars are barely visible. The eyelid surgical procedure only leaves hardly visible white lines at the sites of incisions. As you can see, eyelid surgery is a relatively simple procedure that offers wonderful blepharoplasty results to patients. The procedure itself takes not so much time as with other facial cosmetic surgery, post-operative recovery time, when smooth, is rather short and you will be able to go back to public and work in slightly more than a week. If you still have any questions about eyelid surgery techniques and different aspects, do not hesitate to check with your doctor.

As people get older their bodies change. These changes are associated with many reasons and aging is one of the most important reasons of all. Not only the body functions of older people change but also their appearance does. Since the looks is so important many people worry about the fact that they do not look as beautiful as they used to and start looking for the means to improve their appearance. Eyelid surgery is one of the corrective procedures that are able to improve people’s appearance and make them feel better about how they look.

Eyelid surgery

Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty in professional medical language, is a cosmetic procedure during which excess fat and skin along with the muscle is removed from the upper and lower eyelids. Drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags under your eyes can make you look older than you are. These features are due to the aging process and are caused by excess fat and skin around your eyes. Weakening of the muscle of lids also cause these particular features. Drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags under your eyes may not only change your appearance and cause some psychological problems but also some cases may interfere with your vision. Puffiness of lower lids cannot be improved with the application of any cream or other skin care products. This problem can only be solved with the help of blepharoplasty.

What blepharoplasty cannot change is your ethnic or racial heritage. So, if you are of an Asian origin and have a so called third eyelid this cosmetic surgery will not be able to eliminate it. The cosmetic procedure will not make dark circles under your eyes disappear as it will not lift sagging eyebrows. Blepharoplasty is not a surgery for removing wrinkles around your eyes. This can be achieved with the help of other types of plastic surgery procedures. Eyelid surgery is a minimal cosmetic procedure, which takes one to three hours depending on how much should be done. It also requires a short recovery period which, depending on an individual case, varies from ten days to two weeks. Since eyelid surgery is performed under local anesthesia the downtime after the procedure lasts shorter than in cases when surgery is performed under general anesthesia.

When you think about blepharoplasty, you might, among other things, be worried about the scars remaining in the sight of surgery. What you should know is that no scars are visible after eyelid surgery. The reason for this is the technique of blepharoplasty. An incision to remove weakened skin, excess of fatty tissue and a loose muscle is made in the natural creases of the upper eyelid. Therefore even if you do not wear any make up these scars are totally invisible with time. Puffy bags under your eyes are corrected through a transconjuctival incision. This incision is made through the inside of a lower eyelid. Men make up to half of all patients in some clinics. This shows the need to look young and energetic in some fields of business. Asians and Afroamericans can also be treated with blepharoplasty only that they need a specific approach.

There are many reasons why people decide to have eyelid surgery performed. Just imagine if you wake up one morning and although you feel bright, young and energetic, a person in the mirror looks older, angry or tired. In such case the answer to change that might be eyelid surgery. Some people decide to have blepharoplasty when they are tired of looking tired. Some get annoyed with other people’s advice that they need more sleep. Others decide to have eyelid surgery before important events in their lives, such as their children’s weddings or different anniversary parties. These reasons make people to improve their appearance in order to look better in their lives as well as in photos. No matter what reason brings people to a plastic surgeon’s office, the most important is that eyelid surgery can make people look their age not tired or bored. This cosmetic surgery may also enhance people’s self-consciousness and make them feel better about their looks.

The best way to decide if you are a good candidate for the procedure or not is to look in the mirror. If you look older than you are, tired although you do not feel you are, blepharoplasty might be the answer. However, being in need for eyelid surgery does not necessarily mean that you are a suitable candidate for the procedure, since there are other conditions and aspects you must meet in order to be a good candidate.

Best candidates for blepharoplasty

The most important is to have realistic expectations about eyelid surgery. Although the procedure improves your appearance, enhances your self-esteem you should not hope that eyelid surgery will make other people treat you differently. Bear in mind that blepharoplasty surgery will not necessarily improve your looks to match your ideals.

The best candidates are people in a fairly good physical shape and psychologically stable but who are annoyed with drooping upper lids and puffiness of lower eyelids. Both men and women are suitable candidates for the procedure. And there are no racial or ethnic limitations for candidates to have eyelid surgery performed. Most patients are older than 35 years. But since drooping eyelids is an inheritable condition, you might consider blepharoplasty at a younger age if droopy eyelids and puffy bags under your eyes run in your family. You have to be very realistic about surgery results. You should be aware of the healing process after surgery. Please discuss your expectations and possible complications with a doctor prior to surgery. And if you have any further questions whether you are a good candidate for blepharoplasty or not, do not hesitate to consult your surgeon.

Bad candidates for eyelid surgery

Even if you have droopy upper eyelids and puffy bags under your eyes and you are willing to have blepharoplasty performed, you may find out that you are an unsuitable candidate for eyelid surgery. Although blepharoplasty has very few limitations in when it can be performed, there are certain conditions that make you a non-suitable candidate for the procedure. If you are not in a good physical state, you may not be able to have surgery since it would be of too much hassle for your body. In such cases eyelid surgery, as any surgery, may cause unexpected trouble and damage to your body. In addition, people who are psychologically unstable or have unrealistic expectations about eyelid surgery should not consider having it. Such conditions can be evaluated by a doctor, so do not hesitate to discuss them with your surgeon.

You should know that there are certain medical conditions that limit the possibility to have eyelid surgery performed to some patients. These conditions include thyroid gland problems, such as Grave’s disease, hyper- or hipothyreoidism. Dry eyes or lack of sufficient tears may also be risky for eyelid surgery. These two conditions could be cured with the additional administration of artificial teardrops. A retina detachment or glaucoma should also be discussed with your ophthalmologist to evaluate whether there is any possibility to have eyelid surgery performed safely. Systemic medical problems are also a reason for caution. Such as, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and other circulatory disorders. Consult your cardiologist or family doctor for further evaluation. Finally, those who have flue or any other infection should know that eyelid surgery will be postponed until an infection is cured.

As before all surgeries there are certain preparations to be done before having blepharoplasty. Usually, everything is explained by your surgeon, so this will give you only the basics about what you should do before surgery.

 

Let’s start from your initial consultation with your surgeon and what will be done during it. You should know all your medical history before seeing your doctor at the first time. It is important to tell your doctor all the medical facts from your past history, such as diseases that you had or still have. You should also inform your doctor about any medicines that you are taking. Do not forget to mention if you smoke or have any allergies. Although your surgeon will check your vision and tear production, information from your ophthalmologist with your recent eye check is significant. Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear ones.

Before blepharoplasty

There are certain preparations in what to drink and eat before surgery. Your doctor will give you all of them. If you are taking any medicines do not quit doing it before surgery. Certain medications or vitamins should be stopped taking some time before surgery, so ask your doctor about that. You are advised to quit smoking at least two weeks before surgery and not resume doing it for about the same time after eyelid surgery. This would help you heal and recover better. Make sure that you follow all the instructions provided by your surgeon so that eyelid surgery and recovery period goes without any trouble. In an initial consultation you should precisely discuss with your doctor all your expectations and possible complications and costs of blepharoplasty . A doctor will then decide whether you need all four eyelids lifted or only upper lids or lower ones fixed. Your surgeon might suggest you an additional procedure if you need one, since blepharoplasty may be done in combination with face lift, browlift or other facial cosmetic procedures.

It is important for you to arrange for someone to drive you home after eyelid surgery, since you would not be able to do it on your own. You would probably need someone’s help at home for a few days after surgery. So, ask for someone in advance. And if you have any questions on the instructions or preparations for eyelid surgery, you should ask your doctor’s advice.

Many people assume that plastic surgery is a magical procedure that gives excellent blepharoplasty results straight after one gets up from a surgery table. However, this assumption is wrong and hence such people may be disappointed when they realize that they would have to wait for the results to show up. Since healing is a gradual process, you will have to go through all the stages until you can enjoy your beautiful new looks.

After eyelid surgery

You will have to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to behave after surgery. Your doctor will probably apply some ointment and a bandage straight after eyelid surgery is done. You may feel some discomfort and your eyelids will probably feel sore but this can be perfectly controlled with any pain killers. You should be aware that there will be some bruising and swelling which, depending on an individual case, may last from two weeks to a month. In order to make bruising disappear faster you will be advised to use cold applications and to keep your head elevated until bruising and swelling are reduced.

Other changes after eyelid surgery may include itchiness of your eyes and this could be controlled with administration of artificial teardrops. You may also experience a blurred or double vision for some time after surgery and your eyes might be hypersensitive to light. This should not worry you since this is considered a normal process of recovery.

You should come for a regular check-up for a week or two after blepharoplasty . Stitches may be removed within a week post-operatively and you should then start looking and feeling better. Be aware that you will not be able to wear contact lenses for about two weeks but ask your doctor when it is time to wear them. After a few days after surgery you will probably be able to read or watch TV. Your eyelids may look worse for the first week after surgery but many people return to their normal lives and jobs within a week or ten days after surgery. If your healing process goes smoothly, you might be able to hide bruising under make-up.

Although eyelid surgery is a minimal cosmetic procedure , there are still some precautions for you to take post-operatively. These include sunglasses to protect from sun and wind and application of a specific sun block used for eyelids. You should also avoid physical activity for the first week and hard exercise should be avoided for at least three weeks after surgery. You should particularly avoid weight-lifting, bending and other sports that elevate blood pressure. And since alcohol causes fluid retention, you want to avoid it too.

Healing process varies from person to person but what you need to know is that with patience you will be able to achieve long-term or even permanent results. Although incision lines may remain pink for up to six months but they will be barely visible after that. With a qualified surgeon’s help and your will to follow all the instructions carefully you will enjoy your bright, youthful look for many years after eyelid surgery.

Eyes are the center of your face. In some cultures, they are believed to be a mirror of a person’s soul. However, tired looking eyes and tired glance is something you do not want to have. This can be achieved by blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery in other words. Although it takes some time to wait for the surgery results, this cosmetic procedure offers you excellent and long-lasting or even permanent results.

Blepharoplasty results

By removing excess fat and skin from lower and upper eyelids, eyelid surgery removes puffiness of upper lids and bags below the eyes. This causes you look rested, younger and alert. Eyelid surgery offers excellent results that are long-lasting or even permanent to most of the patients. However, hereditary or individual life-style factors may influence how long the results will last.

Excess fat that is removed from the lower and upper eyelids should not accumulate again in those places. Despite that, the aging process continues meaning that the skin gradually loses its elasticity and becomes even less firm. As a result of this process, your appearance might change a little bit. Some people eventually seek for plastic surgeon’s help after some time. Still to most people plastic eyelid surgery results last at least more than ten years.

You should bear in mind that scars may remain visible for something like six months or more. Since upper and lower lids are operated in two different techniques, when performed transconjuntively, blepharoplasty leaves no visible scar on the lower eyelid at all. A scar on the upper lid may be visible as a pink thin line for a few months after surgery and can be easily covered with make-up. Fortunately, in six month time the pink color fades away leaving a thin almost invisible white line

Eyelid surgery not only improves your overall appearance, gives you a bright, youthful look but also may enhance your self-esteem. Knowing that you look your age and beautiful will make you feel better about yourself. Nobody will be asking if you are tired when you are not. And you will be no longer tired of looking tired. An increased self-confidence is especially helpful to those who are back again to the dating period.

Additionally, blepharoplasty may improve one’s peripheral vision. Sagging upper eyelids may interfere with one’s vision, especially peripheral one. They may be an obstacle to see the objects at the sides of your visual field. Having eyelid surgery performed your peripheral vision will return to normal unless there are other problems of the eyes, such as glaucoma, that may affect your vision.

Since patients continue to get older even after surgery, their skin loses elasticity and additional problems may occur. Such problems are wrinkling of the area around the eyes, loss of tone of the forehead area and sagging eyebrows. If such problems occur, patients may want to have additional surgical procedures. These may be forehead lift, facelift, brow lift or an extra eyelid surgery. However, even with changing times and appearance most patients are more than happy with their new looks and surgery results. And since these results are nearly permanent, patients have no reason to complain. If they do — there is always a professional and high-qualified surgeon able to improve people’s appearance.