Eyelid surgery (technically called
blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat--usually along with excess skin and muscle
from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy
bags below your eyes - features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and
may even interfere with your vision. However, it won't remove crow's feet or other
wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can
add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of your ethnic or
racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in conjunction with other facial
surgery procedures such as a facelift or browlift.
Candidates
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men
and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their
expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you
may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.
A few medical conditions make blepharoplasty more risky. They include thyroid problems
such as hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, high
blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. A
detached retina or glaucoma is also reason for caution; check with your ophthalmologist
before you have surgery.
Preparing for your surgery
Dr. Fisher will give you specific instructions
on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and
taking or avoiding certain vitamins, and medications.
Be sure to inform Dr. Fisher if you have any
allergies; if you're taking any vitamins, medications (prescription or over-the-counter),
or other drugs; and if you smoke. You should also provide any relevant information from
your ophthalmologist or the record of your most recent eye exam. If you wear glasses or
contact lenses, be sure to bring them along.
If you smoke, plan to quit at least two weeks
before your surgery and not to resume for at least four weeks after your surgery. Avoid
overexposure to the sun before surgery, and do not go on a stringent diet, as both
can inhibit your ability to heal.
The surgery
Blepharoplasty usually takes one to two hours,
depending on the extent of the surgery. Dr. Fisher makes incisions following the natural
lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the
lower lids. The incisions may extend into the crow's feet or laugh lines at the outer
corners of your eyes. Working through these incisions, Dr. Fisher separates the skin from
underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and may trim sagging skin and
muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.
After your surgery
After you have recovered from the anesthesia,
you will be ready to go home. Dr. Fisher will provide you with specific instructions and
give you a instruction sheet to follow. You will be instructed to keep your head elevated
for several days, and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. (Bruising
varies from person to person: it reaches its peak during the first few days, and generally
lasts anywhere from 3-7 days.) Your sutures are generally removed between 5 and 7 days
following your surgery.
Getting back to normal
Most people feel ready to go out in public (and
back to work) in about 5-7 days. You should keep your activities to a minimum for three to
five days, and to avoid more strenuous activities for about two weeks. It's especially
important to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting,
and rigorous sports. You should also avoid alcohol, since it causes fluid retention.
