By Khalil Al-Salem M.D FRCS, FICO
Blepharoplasty is a surgery designed to repair baggy eyes, or eyelids with excess skin, some times the surgeon might decide to repair a droopy eyelids at the same time of surgery. The surgery involves removing of excess skin, muscle and fat and repair of underlying tissues.
As you age, your eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess fat may gather above and below your eyelids, causing sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids and bags under your eyes.
Besides making you look older, severely sagging skin around your eyes can reduce your side vision (peripheral vision), especially the upper and outer parts of your field of vision. Blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate these vision problems and make your eyes appear younger and more alert.
Blepharoplasty is usually done on an outpatient basis. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and while the patient is total awake. This will help the surgeon estimate the correct position of the eyelid and help to see the eyelid occlusion during the operation. this will ensure the best cosmetic outcome. An eye lift will not eliminate dark circles under the eyes, crow’s feet, or other facial wrinkles. It is often done along with other procedures such as Plexr, and Mid-face lift .
At Al-Salem eye clinic we ensure the best surgical outcome you can have, and a pleasant experience during operation. So, contact us right now, we can give you all what you need about the operation and help you made the correct decision for you.
The Eyelid Aging Process
As skin ages, it gradually loses its elasticity. A lack of elasticity plus the constant pull from gravity causes excessive skin to collect on the upper and lower eyelids.
Excess skin on the lower eyelid causes wrinkles and bulges. On the upper eyelids, an extra fold of skin can hang over the eyelashes and get in the way of seeing.
The fat that cushions the eyeball from the skull can also cause bulges in the upper and lower eyelids. The thin membrane that holds the fat in place (orbital septum) weakens with age, letting the fat come forward into the lids like a hernia.
Who Is a Good Candidate For Eyelid Surgery?
The best candidates for an eye lift are people who are in good health and who have realistic expectations. Most are 35 years or older, but if baggy eyelids or droopy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have the surgery done sooner.
Eyelid surgery can enhance your appearance and help build your confidence. However, it may not result in your ideal look or alter your facial structure. Before you decide to have surgery, think about your goals and discuss them with your surgeon.
Will the Results of Eyelid Surgery Be Permanent?
Upper eyelid surgery can last at least five to ten years. Lower eyelid surgery rarely needs to be repeated. Of course, your eyes will still age after the procedure. especially, if you continue smoking or diet on unhealthy food. If your lids sag again, a forehead lift rather than another eye lift may be the preferred procedure.
How Should I Prepare for Eyelid Surgery?
You will need to arrange for another person to drive you home after your surgery. You should also have someone stay with you the night of the procedure.
Expect and plan to stay home from work and limit your activities for several days after surgery while your eyelids heal. Some people have dry eyes after surgery, but that rarely lasts more than two weeks. If you have dry eyes lasting more than two weeks, contact your doctor.
At home, you should have the following items ready:
- Ice cubes
- Ice pack (or you can use freezer bags filled with ice, frozen corn, or peas)
- Small gauze pads
- Your medications; Serodase 2 tabs twice a day, antibiotic-steroid cream on the site of the wound.
- Clean washcloths and towels
- Over-the-counter painkillers (which your doctor can recommend)
Asperin, Advil and ibuprofen should not be used due to the increased risk of bleeding.
An eyelift usually takes about two hours if both upper and lower eyelids are done together. Your doctor will most likely use local anesthesia (a painkiller injected around the eye) with oral sedation.
If you are having the procedure done at a hospital or surgical center, you will most likely receive IV sedation.
If you’re having all four eyelids done, the surgeon will probably work on the upper lids first. The surgeon will usually cut along the natural lines of your eyelids. Through these cuts, your surgeon will separate the skin from the underlying tissue and remove the excess fat and skin (and muscle if indicated). Next, the surgeon will close those cuts with very small stitches The stitches in the upper lids will stay for three to six days. The lower lids may or may not require stitches, depending on the technique used.
Surgery on the lower eyelids may be done using one of several techniques. In one method, your surgeon makes a cut inside your lower eyelid to remove fat. That cut won’t be visible. Your surgeon can then soften fine lines in the skin using Plexr .
Another method involves making a cut along the eyelash margin. Through that cut, your surgeon can remove excess skin, loose muscle, and fat. The cut line fades after a short time.
AL-Salem Eye Clinic 