Blepharoplasty Dallas - Eyelid Surgery Plano TX
Enhancing Your Appearance with Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty, or more commonly known as cosmetic eyelid surgery, is an elective surgical procedure used to remove wrinkles and excess skin of the upper and/or lower eyelids. The procedure was developed because the eyes are such a focus of attention on one’s face; thus, to surgically restore and rejuvenate the eye area has the overall effect of making one look more rested and alert.
I’ve heard many patients tell me that they earned their wrinkles and want to look like a grandmother since they now are one. Perhaps there’s a role for looking like a rested grandmother, one that doesn’t look tired. Perhaps some of us have excess eyelid skin at 25 years of age due to genetic inheritance. This is one of the most powerful operations in facial rejuvenation when done properly, I’ll tell you why…
Eye surgery can:
- Tighten loose or droopy skin that, with age, can become folded over the eyes, oftentimes impairing proper vision
- Remove puffiness due to excess fatty tissues in the upper eyelids
- Remove the proverbial ‘bags’ under the eyes
- Restore the lower eyelids to their proper place just under the iris, as opposed to sagging so low that the whites of the eyes are seen
- Remove delicate, fine wrinkles on the lower eyelids
Is it Right for Me?
Blepharoplasty can be performed on fully developed men and women who have healthy facial musculature and whose expectations of the surgery are realistic. If you’ve already had eyelid surgery, remember to consider that there’s probably not much skin left there (even though is may be wrinkled) and that a true specialist in the field must be considered. I know everybody calls themselves a specialist in everything nowadays, but my training in plastic surgery at Duke was followed by an Aesthetic Fellowship that lasted one year and most was focused on facial cosmetic surgery. The lower eyelids are the most complicated area of the face, particularly when they’ve already been operated on. It is a very personal matter and any decision for surgery should come after careful consideration of all the facts and emotions involved.
Cosmetic Eye Surgery can be done in those who:
- Are physically healthy and free from any life-threatening illness or disease
- Don’t smoke
- Have realistic expectations and motivations for surgery
- Have healthy eyes
Medical conditions that require consideration before eyelid surgery:
- Glaucoma, retinal detachment, dry eye
- Thyroid conditions
- Heart disease, diabetes, or cardiovascular complications
What To Expect During Your Consultation
In order to create the best possible results from your eyelid surgery it is important that I consult with you to discuss your desires and expectations, as well as how the eyelid surgery will impact your health, lifestyle and general well-being. It is a good idea to prepare by considering the following before your consultation:
- General medical history, including the results of laboratory work and past surgeries
- A detailed account of current prescription medications, supplements (vitamins or others) that you take
- Any use of tobacco or other drugs
- What are your motivations for surgery? What are your expectations?
At the consultation, I will also:
- Evaluate your current health
- Evaluate the extent of corrective surgery needed to achieve the results desired
- Photographically document the eye area
- Based on the information gathered, I will discuss your surgical options and recommend a course of treatment since everyone’s anatomy is unique
- Disclose the risk of common complications associated with eyelid surgery and the use of anesthesia
- Cover what to do the day of surgery
- Cover post-operative care and recovery
Preparing for Surgery
In the weeks before surgery, I’ll probably request:
- Further laboratory testing or medical evaluations
- Adjusting current prescriptions
- That you avoid the consumption of alcohol, drugs and abstain from smoking for a certain period surrounding surgery
Finally, we will go over the options you may have regarding the geographic location of your surgery. Typically, eyelid and facial procedures are performed in an accredited surgical center, outpatient ambulatory surgical center or a hospital.
I’ll go over the options you may have regarding the location of your surgery. Typically, the breast reduction procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, which means that the surgery can be performed at Dallas Day Surgery Center of Texas (this is our facility at the DALLAS PLASTIC SURGERY INSTITUTE) or a hospital (I’m privileged at Presbyterian Dallas- Margot Perot Women’s Surgery Center, Baylor University Medical Center Dallas, Medical City Dallas, Baylor Regional Medical Center of Plano and The Medical Center of Plano).
What Happens During Eyelid Surgery?
Depending on your individual circumstances, your I will suggest either intravenous or general anesthesia. Some are candidates for eyelid surgery to be done in the office.
The Incisions
As with any plastic surgery procedure, the idea is that scars left by incisions are as small and as inconspicuous as possible. Therefore, the eyelid incisions are made to fit inside the natural creases in the eye areas. Excess skin and fat from the upper eyelid area can be removed or redistributed with an incision just inside the crease of the upper eyelid. Undesired fat and skin can be removed from the lower eyelid with an incision that runs just under the lower eye lash, or it can be made inside the actual lower lid, hiding scars completely.
Closing the Incisions
The incisions are closed with some absorbable and some permanent sutures. The permanent sutures need removal in under a week’s time. The absorbable ones will be discarded by one’s own healing.
See the Results
Although the initial results of the surgery may be obscured by even mild swelling and discoloration, after 3 to 6 months, the scars will begin to smooth and swelling will go down to the point where you’ll need to look up very closely to even see where the incisions were.
As with anyone, sun protection should be a regular part of your lifestyle, particularly post eyelid surgery. The benefits will continue to unfold for many years to come.
Important Facts About the Safety and Risks of Eyelid Surgery
Ultimately, the decision to undergo the eyelid procedure is yours alone. After careful consideration of both the risks and benefits of surgery, you’ll have to weigh the risks against the potential benefits to make an informed decision. I can go over all potential risks of surgery and will make myself available to answer any and all of your questions.
Here is a listing of some of the risks associated with eyelid surgery:
- Adverse scarring
- Bleeding (hematoma)
- Infection
- Prolonged swelling
- Skin loosening persists
- Potential risks of anesthesia use
- Blood clots
- Facial nerve damage
- Numbness
- Asymmetry of eye structures
- Vision problems that can be temporary or permanent
- Dry eyes that won’t close completely
- Downward rolling of the eyelid, known as ectropion
- Possibility of losing eyesight in one or both eyes
- Potential necessity for revision surgery
When You Go Home
After any surgery, it is important to closely monitor how you feel, especially directly after surgery. Varying degrees of pain are certainly to be expected, however, if you experience any kind of tightness in your chest or shortness of breath, pains deep in your chest or an irregular heart beat you should go to the emergency room immediately. To avoid complications, it is of paramount importance that you strictly follow your post-surgical instructions and be cautious!
My Recovery
Immediately following your eyelid surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, some bleeding and irritated or dry eyes. These conditions can be alleviated with medication and a lubricating ointment.
Oftentimes a bandage is wrapped around the eyes to prevent infection and help keep swelling to a minimum.
Here are some important questions to ask before surgery:
- Where will I recover directly after surgery?
- Will I be prescribed any post-surgery medications? (steroid pack, pain med)
- How often do my bandages need to be changed and when will they be removed permanently? (no bandages are used, ophthalmic ointment should be applied twice daily)
- When will the stitches be removed? (in less that a week)
- How soon will I need to return for a follow-up visit? (to remove your sutures)
- How soon can I get back to exercise? (6 weeks for intense activities)
How Much Will Eyelid Surgery Cost?
Cost depends on many varying factors, including the experience of the surgeon with this procedure and the geographic location of the procedure. Oftentimes, higher cost is not indicative of higher quality; but, it can also be said that you get what you pay for. I try to keep our prices reasonable, not too low, nor too high. Come on in for a free consultation and we’d be glad to quote you.
Costs you can expect to incur:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Facility fee
- Anesthesiologist
- Medications
- Laboratory tests
In addition, our practice offers patient financing options to consider, so please feel free to ask!
