 |
| |
Excessive eyelid skin and/or bulging tissues under the skin will produce a tired, aged look even after the best night's sleep. Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can remove sagging, baggy skin and return a rested, more vibrant appearance to the areas around the eyes and upper third of the face. Blepharoplasy can also be done in conjunction with other facial plastic procedures.
Suitable candidate for Eyelid Surgery in Kansas City:
- excess skin obscuring the natural fold of the upper eyelids
- loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids, perhaps impairing vision
- a puffy appearance to the upper eyelids, making the eyes look tired
- excess skin and fine, crepey wrinkles of the lower eyelids
- bags and dark circles under the eyes, often with a depression along the bony border of the lower eyelids
- droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye)
Risks Involved:
- The minor complications after the surgery include double or blurred vision for a few days.
- Temporary swelling at the corner of the eyelids.
- A slight asymmetry in healing or scarring.
- Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out, which can be removed easily with a very fine needle.
- Following surgery, some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep.
- In rare cases this condition may be permanent.
- Another complication is ectropion, a pulling down of the lower which require further surgery.
Planning Your 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.
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.
The Day Of Surgery
Your eyelid surgery may be performed in a hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite. Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing eyelid surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. Your vision will be blurry as a result of ointment used to soothe and protect the eye during surgery as well as from the swelling that is a normal aftermath of eyelid procedures. There is surprisingly little discomfort, however, from the surgery. You probably will be permitted to go home after a few hours, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.
After The Surgery
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 eyedrops 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.
Instructions To Be Followed
- Your surgeon will instruct you to keep your head elevated for several days.
- Cold compresses are used to reduce swelling and bruising.
- This lasts between like several weeks to a month.
- Doctors recommend eye drops since your eyelids may feel dry at first and your eyes may burn or itch.
- For the first few weeks you may also experience excessive tearing , sensitivity to light.
- Temporary changes in your eyesight, such as blurring or double vision.
- Once the stitches are removed the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside.
Getting back to normal:
- Television is one thing which you will be permitted to watch.
- As you may be sensitive to sunlight, wind, and other irritants for several weeks, so you should wear sunglasses and a special sun block made for eyelids when you go out.
- Take it easy for five days at least and avoid activities that tire you easily for three weeks.
- Scars will take time to disappear.
Your New Look
Aesthetic eyelid surgery has the effect of making you look more rested, refreshed and alert. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks to get an accurate picture of the results of your eyelid surgery. Incisions will fade over a number of months until they become barely visible.
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.
You will return to your plastic surgeon's office for follow-up care at prescribed intervals, at which time your progress will be evaluated. Please remember that the relationship with your plastic surgeon does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery, or need additional information at a later time, you should contact your surgeon.
Contact Kansas City Plastic Surgeon Dr. Richard B. Price, MD for more information on Eyelid Surgery in Kansas City and schedule a consultation today.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Price is involved with many prestigious organizations,
including:
|
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery, member
American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck
Surgery, member
American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery, diplomat
American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck
surgery, diplomat
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
