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Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid Surgery

BLEPHAROPLASTY (UPPER EYELID SURGERY AND LOWER EYELID SURGERY)

Eyes are a prominent facial feature. It is the surrounding skin, rather than the eyes themselves, that conveys emotion. The tissue, muscle, fat, hair and lashes all contribute to the wide array of expressions. Age, sun exposure and hereditary factors all contribute to wrinkles, deep lines and puffiness around the eyes.

The aging process can cause unwanted changes in expression, causing us to look permanently fatigued and older than we really are. These changes in appearance can cause emotional distress and sometimes even visual impairment. An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty in Dallas , is designed to restore a more youthful appearance to your eyes. It may involve the upper lids, the lower lids, or both.

NEW AND TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES

TRADITIONAL BLEPHAROPLASTY

To perform a traditional eyelid surgery, an incision is made in the crease of the upper lid toward the temples. Once healed, it is not noticeable when the eye is open. On the lower lid, the incision is made along the lash line toward the temples, and is hidden by lashes when healed.

THE TRANSCONJUNCTIVAL LOWER BLEPHAROPLASTY APPROACH

This is a newer technique for lower lid blepharoplasty, involving an incision inside the lower lid. Fat can be removed or relocated through this incision, but excess skin cannot be eliminated.

Laser resurfacing of the eyelids is a non-surgical alternative that may delay the need for a surgical blepharoplasty. It results in significant tightening of the skin around the eyes, but will not effect the fat around the eyes and may even accentuate it.

Please ask expert facial plastic surgeon Dr. Verret if you have any questions about which procedure is right for you. His practice in the North Dallas suburb of Plano, Texas is pleased to serve all of the DFW area, McKinney, Allen, Prosper, Celina, Allen, Addison, and Frisco. He performs his blepharoplasty in Plano at several different surgery centers for patient convenience.

BLEPHAROPLASTY SURGERY

Local anesthesia is given around the eyes for a cosmetic blepharoplasty. An intravenous line may be started so that sedation may also be given. During the blepharoplasty procedure you will be awake but comfortable and relaxed. General anesthesia for blepharoplasty may also be used but is not generally necessary.

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. It is important to arrange for care after the surgery. Someone must drive you home and be available to care for you for the first 24 hours.

RECOVERY AFTER BLEPHAROPLASTY SURGERY

The area surrounding the eyes will remain swollen in the days following the blepharoplasty surgery. It should begin to subside after the first day. Some vision blurring is normal.

The stitches will be removed in 4-5 days. Swelling and bruising will persist for about 10 days, but you can begin wearing makeup to help conceal these concerns. You may expect to resume normal activity within a week to 10 days, and start enjoying your new look within approximately 10-14 days. It may take about 6 months for the scars to lose their redness.

Wrinkling will recur later in life, however it is unlikely that the “bags” will recur because the fat has been removed. Deeper wrinkles around the outer eye extended onto the temple are not greatly affected by the eyelid lift. These areas may be treated with laser resurfacing.

D.J. Verret, MD, FACS

Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon