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What Will the Initial Consultation Be Like?
Your plastic surgeon will assess you entire face, with a special focus on the function of your eyelids and brows. It is important that you volunteer any history of vision change, dry eye, eye irritation, seasonal allergy, eyelid or eye surgery, muscular or neurological disorders, thyroid disease and diabetes. If necessary, your plastic surgeon will ask you to be also evaluated by an ophthalmologist to address specific issues regarding your vision or eye health. It is crucial to know of any asymmetries to achieve the optimal result after surgery.
Your surgeon will locate your natural eyelid crease by lifting your eyebrow, asking you to look downward, then slightly upward, then downward again. Together, you will determine your goals, and discuss what you can realistically expect from Blepharoplasty. Your plastic surgeon might also suggest that you consider correcting the position of your eyebrows if their sagging affects your upper eyelids.
How Will I Know Whether I am a candidate for Upper or Lower Eyelid Surgery?
This is something that you will discuss with your cosmetic surgeon. Depending upon the degree of fat and skin in the upper lid, and the puffiness below, your surgeon may recommend that you have surgery on all four eyelids, or just two. He or she will also discuss with you whether you have excess skin that needs removal, or only fat to remove.
If you are having all four eyelids corrected, the surgeon will generally work first on the upper eyelids.
What If I Have Fat Beneath My Lower Lids, But No Excess Skin?
In this case, your cosmetic surgeon may perform a Trasnconjunctival Blepharoplasty. This goal of this procedure is to remove bulging fat, with a secondary goal of transferring the fat to hollowed areas. This is generally performed on younger patients who have more elasticity in their skin, and involves an incision on the lower eyelid that leaves no visible scarring.
During this procedure the lower eyelid is moved away from the eyeball, which is then protected with a plastic plate. Through electrocautery, the cosmetic surgeon sweeps across the back layer and most of the length of the eyelid. The fat in three pockets is "teased out" of their capsules, clamped, excised and cauterized from each pocket. Sometimes, the surgeon closes the wound with dissolving sutures, although possibly no sutures will be required. The cosmetic surgeon will remove only fat and not any skin. |
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Will Insurance Cover An Upper Eyelid Lift?
The surgery may be covered only in few cases when excess skin and fat hangs over the eye, blocking your peripheral vision, and thus hinder your driving capacity. Obtaining coverage requires special testing by your ophthalmologist and pre-approval by your insurance company. Even so, any aspect of the Blepharoplasty that is "cosmetic" will not be covered.
What Is Canthopexy?
Canthopexy refers to a variety of procedures designed to re-establish the support mechanism of the lower eyelid skin so it no longer sags. Depending on the degree and cause of the Ectropion, the type of Canthopexy surgery varies. In those with minimal laxity, or a pre-disposition to developing Ectropion after lower Blepharoplasty, the outer edge of the lower eyelid is tightened against the rim of the eye socket or orbit. This procedure is called Lateral Canthopexy.
Can Eyelid Surgery Be Performed with Other Procedures?
In order to rejuvenate your entire face, or sections of it, it is very common for people to simultaneously undergo other adjunct procedures such a Facelift, Mid-Face Lift, Brow Lift, Rhinoplasty (nose surgery), Cheek or Chin implant placement, Lip Augmentation, or even non-invasive procedures such as BOTOX® or Laser Resurfacing.
Can Eyelid Fat Be Removed By Liposuction?
No. Liposuction is not an appropriate procedure for Eyelid Surgery because the tissues of the eyes are so delicate.
Does Blepharoplasty Affect My Permanent Eyeliner?
No, Neither lower eyelid or upper eyelid Blepharoplasty incision is going to remove or alter your permanent eyeliner tattoo.
How soon after eyelid surgery can I have Permanent Eyeliner?
In general, I suggest that you wait until all the swelling and inflammation of the eyelids have subsided, which takes approximately 6-10 weeks. Otherwise, your eyeliner can run or smudge. |
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How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
In general, incisions are made following the natural lines of the eyelids – in the creases of the upper eyelids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids. Your cosmetic surgeon then separates skin from fatty tissue and muscle. Excess fat is removed. When necessary, skin and muscle are contoured. Your plastic surgeon will close the incisions with very fine sutures.
A key to the success of this surgery is choosing a cosmetic surgeon who is highly talented and experienced in performing it. It requires great precision and skill – very small differences in the removal of fat and skin lead to noticeable differences in the outcome.
How Long Does Eyelid Surgery Take?
Depending upon how much you choose to have done, your cosmetic surgeon will take between less than an hours to two hours to complete Eyelid Surgery. As a rule, performing upper or lower eyelid surgery alone takes a bit less than an hour, while both performed together take between one to two hours.
What Kinds of Instruments Will the Surgeon Use?
Some cosmetic surgeons employ carbon dioxide lasers or Radio frequency (RF) for Eyelid Surgery as suppose to stainless steel scalpel. Personally, I have performed many eyelid procedures with all of these instruments and I have not noted any difference in the final outcome. In my opinion, in eyelid surgery, it is the surgeon's skills that are of most importance rather that the tools that he/she might use. |
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