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Plastic Surgery
> Procedures > Face
About Eyelid Surgery
Before & After
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Eyelid Surgery
Expressive and delicate, the eyes often
reveal our secrets, but eyelid rejuvenation surgery can help
keep age from being one of them. Eyelid rejuvenation can be
performed on the upper or lower eyelids, removing wrinkles,
bags, and sagging. Eyelid surgery can treat your upper or
lower eyelids or both. Depending on your situation, some
skin may be removed along with fat and tissue. The results
of eyelid rejuvenation can be very dramatic - smoother skin
in the eye area, less bags and bulges, and a more youthful,
energetic facial appearance. If you are interested in
learning more about eyelid rejuvenation, please
contact us today.
BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MACS LIFT
Am I a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
Any one or combination of the following conditions may
indicate that you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery:
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excess skin obscuring the natural fold of the upper
eyelids
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loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids, perhaps
impairing vision
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a puffy appearance to the upper eyelids, making the
eyes look tired
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excess skin and fine, crepey wrinkles of the lower
eyelids
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bags and dark circles under the eyes, often with a
depression along the bony border of the lower eyelids
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droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below
the iris (colored portion of the eye)
Aesthetic eyelid surgery can usually correct these problems,
though other treatments may also need to be considered. For
example, if the upper eyelid condition is accompanied by
sagging of the eyebrows, then a forehead lift may be
recommended. Smoothing of crow's feet may require chemical
peeling or laser resurfacing procedures. Circles beneath the
eyes caused by dark pigmentation may be treated with a
bleaching solution or chemical peel. Your plastic surgeon
can provide further information if you have an interest in
any of these additional procedures.
How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for aesthetic
eyelid surgery?
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your
medical history including previous surgeries, past and
present medical conditions and current medications. It is
important for you to provide complete information. High
blood pressure, thyroid problems or diabetes are among the
medical conditions that may increase the risks associated
with eyelid surgery.
Your plastic surgeon will want to know if you have
allergies, especially if they affect your eyes. He or she
may ask whether you have ever tried and were unable to wear
contact lenses, you should bring them with you in case your
surgeon wants to test your vision.
It will be necessary for your surgeon to know if you were
ever told by an ophthalmologist that you have a condition
called "dry eye" or if you have any other problems with your
eyes.
One of several surgical techniques may be suggested to
improve the appearance of your eyelids. The particular
technique that your plastic surgeon recommends will depend
on may factors such as the amount of excess fat and skin in
the eyelid areas, the position of your eyebrows, and the
condition of muscles around your eyelids.
How is my plastic surgeon able to improve the appearance of
my upper eyelids?
For upper eyelid surgery, generally, an incision is hidden
within the natural fold of the upper eyelid and extends
slightly beyond the outside corner into the laugh lines or
other existing creases.
Through this incision, excess skin and fatty tissue are
removed. Because the incision follows the natural contour of
the upper eyelid, it will be well camouflaged when healed.
What is done to improve the appearance of my lower eyelids?
For lower eyelid surgery, often an incision is hidden just
below the lower lashes. Through this incision, excess skin,
muscle and fat are removed, or fat may be redistributed to
eliminate puffiness or bulges. Other adjustments to correct
special problems such as muscle laxity may be performed. As
in upper eyelid surgery, the incision is well camouflaged by
natural creases.
In some cases, you and your surgeon may decide that the best
approach for removing excess fat is through an incision
placed inside the lower eyelid. This technique requires no
external incision, but it cannot be used to remove excess
skin. A laser may sometimes be used in conjunction with this
method to tighten the lower eyelid skin.
How should I prepare for surgery?
If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well
in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory
drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid
taking these medications for a period of time before
surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional
preoperative instructions.
Aesthetic eyelid surgery is usually performed on an
outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange
for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with
you at least the first night following surgery.
How will I look and feel initially?
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes
for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
The first evening after surgery, you should rest quietly
with your head elevated. Your surgeon may instruct you to
apply cold compresses to your eyelids. Remember, you must
not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications.
Initially, you may feel a "tight" sensation around the eyes
and some mild discomfort that can be controlled with oral
medication. During the first 48 hours following surgery,
patients experience varying degrees of swelling and
bruising. Some patients find that mild swelling persist for
several weeks, while others may see swelling resolve in as
little as one week. Bruising typically disappears within
seven to ten days. Within the first week you will be
permitted to use makeup, if desired, to conceal any
discoloration. Stitches are usually removed within a week of
surgery.
Your vision may continue to be somewhat blurry for a few
days or longer. Your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to
light, and you may experience excess tearing or dryness.
Some plastic surgeons recommend eye
drops to help relieve any burning or itching. You may
want to wear dark sunglasses for a couple of weeks to
protect your eyes from wind and sun irritation.
When can I resume my normal activities?
Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the
early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be
able to resume most of your normal activities within ten
days or less. Although you might feel like going back to
work just a few days after surgery, your vision may still be
slightly blurry which could make reading or other paperwork
more difficult. You should not wear contact lenses for a
week or two.
How long will the results last?
The results of aesthetic eyelid surgery are long-lasting,
but they may be affected by your heredity and lifestyle
factors.
Removal of fat from your eyelids, which is usually the cause
of puffiness and bags, is permanent, and these conditions
generally will not recur. The skin continues to age,
however, and skin laxity along the fine wrinkling of the
eyelid area may, at some point, return. Sometimes loss of
tone in the forehead causes additional sagging of the
eyebrows which mimics a recurrence of drooping upper
eyelids. if this happens, correction may require a forehead
lift or a secondary eyelid procedure.
Even though the aging process continues, patients are
usually happy with their appearance for many years following
eyelid surgery. Some patients find that they want to make
additional improvements at a later time.
For more information on any of these
services or to make an appointment,
please click here to
contact us or call
us at:
512-533-9900
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