A Beginners Guide to Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Indroduction

It’s often said that “the eyes are the windows to the soul” and most people would agree. Eyes are often the first thing you notice on someone.

If a person’s eyes appear tired, we assume that they did not receive enough sleep. If the skin around their eyes is highly wrinkled, we assume they are older than they may be.

These are only two of the reasons that propel both men and women to seek out the medical expertise of their local facial plastic surgeons. Facial plastic surgeons specialize in rejuvenating procedures, such as eyelid surgery.

By studying before and after photographs online, prospective patients can learn about surgical treatments that can transform their lives.

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery to cosmetically revitalize the eye area is better known by the medical term blepharoplasty. This is a popular plastic surgery procedure performed on both men and women, generally during their middle to senior years. During the operation, the surgeon removes excess skin and from the upper or lower eyelids.

As far as what eyelid surgery does:

• • Excess skin and fat is removed from the upper or lower eye
  • The skin around the eyes is smoothed to remove wrinkles
  • Fatty “eye bags” beneath the eyelashes are removed or smoothed out
  • Patients have a younger facial expression due to a rejuvenation of the eyes
  • There is a removal of excess skin around the eyes for medical reasons

There are cases where blepharoplasty is performed to improve eyesight on certain patients. In these instances, a surgeon helps a patient to see more clearly by removing heavy skin folds or “hoods” over the upper eye.

More often than not, however, prospective patients seek out eyelid surgery to improve their physical facial appearance and look years younger.

What Types of Eyelid Surgery are there?

Just as there are upper and lower eyelids, there are upper and lower plastic surgery treatments to address their issues.

Patients usually wish to rid their upper eyelids of droopy skin and wrinkles. Meanwhile, lower lids are associated with fatty bags that occur beneath them, making the eyes appear puffy and aged.

Is There a “Right Age” for Eyelid Surgery?

Generally, there is no right or wrong age for surgery, as to whether you are a good candidate for surgery will be determined by your plastic surgeon. Usually, candidates inquiring about plastic surgery are middle-aged or older, as they are looking to improve their aging looks.

When meeting with Dr. DeJoseph, pre-existing and current medication conditions will be discussed at length. Lifestyle choices like smoking and whether you are a sun worshiper will additionally be considered along with your actual age.

The doctor will need to know what medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) you take and whether you’ve had prior medical issues with your eyes. These include surgeries, infections, allergies and common ailments like dry eye syndrome. All of this is of the utmost importance, as this often determines the length of your healing period after surgery.

What Happens During a Surgical Consultation?

The consultation is where a plastic surgeon gets to know a prospective patient and learns what cosmetic issues they wish to resolve. Dr. DeJoseph additionally has a chance to examine the patient and speak with them in a private setting. This allows him to determine if their current and prior physical health make them a good candidate for surgery. If found to be an excellent candidate for plastic surgery, the doctor will customize a plan of treatment for that individual patient.

After a thorough examination, the doctor may also advise a patient to undergo a complementary treatment to achieve their goals. If a patient is not judged to be a good candidate for an invasive type of plastic surgery, there may be a host of non-invasive methods available to help them achieve their rejuvenation goals on a more temporary basis.

What Happens During the Actual Surgical Procedure?

Patients are placed under local anesthesia. The area around the eyes is completely numb before surgery. During the procedure, a board-certified plastic surgeon addresses issues along the crease of the upper eye, the lash line bordering the lower lid or inside the lower eyelid.

By not using general anesthesia, Dr. DeJoseph can offer this surgery to patients who may be sensitive to general anesthesia. It is also advantageous for older patients for whom there are greater risk factors. After surgery recovery times are lessened, as patients are not under the influence of general anesthesia and the side effects that accompany it.

What are the Recovery and Healing Times after Eyelid Surgery?

The eye region of your face will experience sensitivity immediately following and in the days directly after surgery. Often patients find themselves with dry eyes, which can be remedied with drops if necessary. Swelling and bruising will be visible and may not subside until at least a week after the procedure.

After this plastic surgery procedure, patients are told to protect their eyes from the sun with sunglasses. Post-surgical patients should only use skin products either prescribed or approved by their doctor. If prescription drugs have been given to a patient to assist healing, it is the responsibility of the patient to follow their doctor’s orders to avoid unnecessary complications.

How can I schedule a consultation with Dr. Louis M. DeJoseph M.D.?

Dr. Louis M. DeJoseph M.D. is one of the very few plastic surgeons to hold a trio of board certifications in reconstructive surgery, facial surgery, and laser surgery. In his distinguished medical career, he has written, lectured and received numerous academic awards. If you would prefer to contact the Premier Image team by phone, they can be reached at 770-457-6303. Premier Image team members are also available by phone and their website to answer any preliminary questions you might have.

Conclusion

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is a popular surgical option used most often to reduce the signs of facial aging around the area of your eyes.

Whether it’s removing excess skin for medical or purely cosmetic reasons, blepharoplasty can be beneficial to anyone interested.

But like any procedure, especially one which involves surgery, it’s imperative to do your research and consult with a specialist such as Dr. DeJoseph. They will address any and all your questions not covered in this guide.

After your initial consultation, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to know whether or not blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is a good option for you or not.

About Shannon Clark

Shannon holds a degree in Exercise Science and is a certified personal trainer and fitness writer with over 10 years of industry experience.