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Blepharoplasty(Eyelid Surgery; Repair of Droopy Eyelids)
by
Krisha McCoy, MS DefinitionBlepharoplasty is a procedure to remove excess skin and fat tissue from the eye area.
Reasons for ProcedureBlepharoplasty can correct:
This procedure can also create upper eyelid folds. Possible Complications TOPComplications are rare. But no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have blepharoplasty, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
What to Expect TOPPrior to ProcedureYour doctor will likely do the following:
Leading up to your procedure, your doctor may recommend that you:
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
AnesthesiaYou will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area around your eyes. Sedatives will be given to help you relax. In some cases, general anesthesia will be used. In this case, you will be asleep. Description of the ProcedureYour doctor will make incisions in your eyelids. In the upper eyelid, the incision is usually made in the crease. In the lower eyelid, the incision is usually made just below the lashes or on the inside of the eyelid. The excess fat will be removed. The excess skin and muscle will be trimmed. The incision will be closed with sutures. How Long Will It Take?60 minutes or more depending on the amount of skin and fat to be removed Will It Hurt?Anesthesia will minimize pain during the procedure. You may feel some tightness and soreness after the procedure. Post-procedure CareAt the Care CenterYour doctor will apply ointment. A bandage may be applied over your eyes. At HomeWhen you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
After about six months, your scars will likely fade to a nearly invisible white line. The results of a blepharoplasty are permanent. Your doctor may still be able to do extra surgery as needed or desired. Sometimes, blepharoplasty is combined with another procedure called canthopexy. This is used to improve the shape and positioning of the lower eyelid. Blepharoplasty may also be done with ptosis repair. This is the repair of the upper eyelid muscle to correct drooping of the upper eyelid. Call Your Doctor TOPAfter arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away. RESOURCES:The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery http://www.surgery.org/public/ CANADIAN RESOURCES:The American Society of Plastic Surgeons http://www.plasticsurgery.org/ Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ References:
Eyelid surgery: blepharoplasty. American Society of Plastic Surgeons website. Available at:
http://www.plastic...
.
Accessed January 10, 2013.
Nahai F.
The Art of Aesthetic Surgery: Principles and Techniques
. St. Louis, MO: Quality Medical Publishers; 2005.
6/3/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/
: Mills E, Eyawo O, Lockhart I, Kelly S, Wu P, Ebbert JO. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Am J Med.
2011;124(2):144-154.e8.
Last reviewed January 2013 by Marcin Chwistek, MD Last Updated: 1/10/2013 | |
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