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Who is a good candidate for Blepharoplasty?
As we age our eyelids droop, making us look tired and older.
However, this procedure can also be performed for younger
patients who are dissatisfied with hereditary heaviness of the
lower or upper eyelids or “bags”.
Is the procedure safe?
Blepharoplasty is a very safe procedure when performed by
appropriately trained plastic surgeon. Although serious
complications have occasionally been reported, these are
extremely rare, considering that this is one of the most common
cosmetic procedures performed in the USA.
Do I need a procedure on the upper, lower eyelids or both?
This can only be determined after personal consultation with Dr
Turowski. Although these are two distinctive operations, they
are frequently performed together to achieve the best results.
For younger patients removal of the lower eyelid bags may be all
that is needed.
The procedure is frequently combined with endoscopic
forehead/brow lift to achieve optimal results. In addition,
blepharoplasty is often performed together with face lift for
overall facial rejuvenation.
How is blepharoplasty performed?
This procedure can be performed under intravenous sedation
or even local anesthesia. It is usually performed on the
outpatient basis, with the patients going home soon after the
surgery. Upper eyelid incision is placed in the skin crease and
excess amount of skin and bulging fat is excised. In certain
cases, lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed without
visible incisions (transconjunctival blepharoplasty). Laser may
be used to achieve optimal results. If there is obvious skin
excess in lower eyelids, the incision may be made directly under
the eyelash line. The excess amount of fat and skin is removed,
skin re-draped and incision carefully closed. Eyelid incisions
heal in very inconspicuous fashion.
What is the typical recovery?
Postoperative discomfort is usually very mild and easily
controlled with oral pain medications. It is recommended to use
ice-packs for the first 24 hours after surgery to minimize
swelling and bruising. The sutures are removed after 5 days, and
with some makeup patient can return to certain activities. Some
bruising may persist for about 10 days. No suture removal is
necessary for transconjunctival blepharoplasties.
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