EYELID REJUVENATION
As you age, your eyelids often stretch and the supporting muscles may weaken. Excess fat may collect in the skin above and below the eyelids, causing sagging of the eyebrows, drooping of the upper lids and bagginess beneath the eyes. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is an effective procedure that can be performed to repair droopy eyelids by removing excess skin, muscle and fat.
You might consider blepharoplasty if drooping or sagging skin keeps your eyelids from opening completely (upper lids) or pulls them down (lower lids). Removing the excess tissue from upper, lower or both eyelids can make eyes appear younger and more alert. In addition, sagging skin around the eyes can negatively affect a person’s vision by blocking the pupil of the eye. Blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate impaired vision caused by excess eyelid skin.
Blepharoplasty may be an option if you have:
- Baggy of puffy upper eyelids
- Excess skin of the upper eyelid that interferes with vision
- Excess skin on lower eyelids
- Baggy skin beneath the eyes
Blepharoplasty can be performed at the same time as another procedure, such as a face-lift, neck lift or laser skin resurfacing.
How we prepare patients for eyelid surgery:
- Dr. Menkes and our cosmetic surgery staff will meet with you to discuss your expectations and to perform a physical examination of the eyelids. An honest discussion will help set the stage for a satisfactory outcome.
- We obtain your complete medical history in addition to detailed questions about eye-related conditions such as dry eyes, glaucoma and eye-related allergies. We will also obtain a list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications, including any herbal supplements, as some of them—including gingko, ginseng, garlic and ginger—may cause bleeding problems.
- Your eyes will be photographed from different angles to help in planning the surgery and to assess its immediate and long-term effects.
- Before surgery, we will instruct you to stop taking ibuprofen, aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and herbal supplements associated with increased bleeding at least two weeks before and after surgery.
- Avoid exposing your skin to excess sunlight for one week before and 2-3 months after surgery.
What you can expect
Blepharoplasty is performed by Dr. Menkes with the assistance of our highly-trained medical staff in our Medicare and AAAHC certified Outpatient Surgery Suite. Through the use of local anesthesia, the patient remains completely comfortable and relaxed. The procedure usually takes less than two hours, and afterward the patient is monitored in the recovery area by our nursing staff before being discharged to home.
If you have surgery on both upper and lower eyelids, Dr. Menkes generally works on the lower eyelids first. The incision on the lower lid is made just below the lashes on the inside (moist surface) of the lower lid (transconjunctivally). Dr. Menkes removes excess fat, but not all the fat. Stitches are usually not needed on this moist inner surface of the lower eyelid. He then uses a laser to tighten the skin of the lower eyelid when it is apparent there will be wrinkling or excess skin.
When working on the upper eyelid, Dr. Menkes makes an incision along the natural fold of the upper eyelid. Then, excess skin and some muscle and fat beneath the skin is removed. Care is taken during the planning phase to remove as much loose tissue as possible and still allow for complete eyelid closure post-operatively. The incision is closed with tiny stitches that leave a nearly invisible scar.
After the procedure, a lubricating ointment is applied several times each day to protect the eyelids and prevent dryness until healing is complete, usually within 7 days. Swelling, bruising, excessive tearing and light sensitivity is common during the post operative period and typically lasts a few days. Developing “black eyes” is also common will likely last a week or more. Ice packs or cold compresses applied to the eyes can help reduce swelling.
Pain after surgery is usually minimal and common pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) for mild discomfort is sufficient for the vast majority patients. Most patients usually do not require any pain medication after the surgery. Sutures (stitches) are removed by our medical staff at The Menkes Clinic within 7 days.
Take the following precautions for a week after the surgery
- Don’t lift anything weighing more than 20 pounds (9 kilograms).
- Avoid swimming.
- Avoid strenuous activities, such as aerobics and jogging.
- Sleep with your head raised higher than your chest.
- Follow Dr. Menkes’ instructions for cleaning your eyes and using eyedrops.
Results of Blepharoplasty
- Patients express satisfaction with the results of this procedure, specifically that they appear more rested and youthful in appearance.
- Improved vision for those patients whose excess eyelid skin caused impaired vision.
- Benefits of surgery typically last many years, and potentially a lifetime, depending on the age of the patient and the amount of tissue removed.
