Eyes / Brow Lift
Your eyes make up the most important aesthetic unit of your face. The eyes communicate emotions, stress level and physical health and most people subconsciously assess others by the appearance of their eyes. Over time, the combination of gravity, sun exposure and heredity factors contribute to the aging process of the eyelids, giving an appearance of tiredness despite feeling rested and fresh. Baggy eyelids are a common trait passed on from generation to generation and for these reasons, people seek rejuvenation of their eyelids to look as rested and youthful as they feel.
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a common cosmetic procedure. In this operation, excess skin and fat are trimmed, removed or repositioned in an effort to return the eyelids and eye region to a more youthful appearance. Bedroom or sleepy eyes that make you look tired and inattentive at business meetings or social events are no longer present.
Surgical Details
Local anesthesia with mild sedation is usually the anesthetic of choice for a blepharoplasty. General anesthesia is commonly administered only when other procedures are performed. Excess skin and muscle of the upper eyelids is trimmed and fat is removed or repositioned through an incision camouflaged in the upper eyelid crease. In the lower eyelids, the fat is approached and manipulated through an incision either below the eyelid (sub-ciliary) or through an incision on the inside of the lower eyelid (trans-conjunctival).This latter approach is a safe technique that is applied to younger patients who don't need excess skin removed from the lower eyelids. It leaves no scars on the skin under the eyes. In older patients, a skin incision is usually required not only to remove excess skin and muscle, but to tighten the lower eyelid to prevent eyelid sagging post-operatively. It should be noted that everyone has fat behind their eyelids whether they are thin or heavy, and surgical manipulation of this fat is necessary to achieve the desired result.
Immediately after surgery, you may experience some blurry vision which is from the antibiotic ointment which is placed within the eyes after surgery. Your eyes may feel dry, sticky and itchy within the immediate post-operative period. A certain degree of swelling and bruising is normal. Cold compresses, as well as head elevation when lying down, will enhance healing and relieve discomfort. Pain medication and eye lubrication will be prescribed to make you more comfortable. Recovery time is close to one week and sutures are removed in 3 to 5 days. Swelling and bruising lasts 7 to 10 days and most of our patients return to work one week after surgery.
Possible Complications
Complications from this operation might include infection, blood clot formation under the skin and in extreme and rare cases, eyelid retraction or vision impairment. Generally speaking, this is a safe procedure which carries a high level of satisfaction in our patients, because of the often dramatic improvement in their appearance.
Further Information
In rare cases, complications from this operation might include infection, blood clot formation under the skin and in extreme and rare cases, eyelid retraction or vision impairment. Generally speaking, this is a safe procedure which carries a high level of satisfaction in our patients, because of the often dramatic improvement in their appearance.
Consult one of our board certified plastic surgeons at the Plastic Surgery Specialists for a complete consultation regarding eyes/browlift and how it may improve your self confidence and restore a more youthful appearance to your skin.