Blepharoplasty

Surgery aimed to remove the excess of fat and skin that accumulates in the superior or inferior eye lids. This excess can be produced by one of the two conditions, it can either be the excess of fat alone or of skin, and each case should be individualized. The final objective of the surgery is to give back the contour of the eyes a more juvenile and less tired aspect that takes place as a consequence of aging and the action of gravity on the different tissues. This is an isolated surgery or it can be accompanied by other procedures like a Face Lift, or other surgeries dedicated to achieve a patient's younger aspect.

Post-Surgical Evaluation

In the pre-surgical evaluation visit, the Surgeon should discuss with the patient the physical characteristics and determine if the excess is due to skin, fat or both. Then, they should discuss if there has been a lowering of the eyebrow line, letting the Surgeon suggest the most advisable procedures for a good result. In this interview it is important for the Surgeon to request laboratory exams, and to plan a pre-anesthetic visit, if needed. It is also very important to define the anesthetic technique that will be used, and to be informed of the precedent of important illnesses like smoking history, hypertension, and any medication taken lately, overall the ones that affect blood clotting like: aspirin, anti-inflammatory, etc.

Surgical Procedure

The surgery lasts an average of 2 hours. It can be carried out with local anesthesia, local plus sedation, local attended by anesthesiologist, or general anesthesia, according to the patient's conditions and the election that he has previously made with the Surgeon. The procedure consists of removing the skin or fat excess, or both, so much of the superior lid as of the inferior. It is not advisable to retire all fat but certain amount and relocate the remaining for a better result. After the surgery the patient can go home.

The scars in the superior lids are hidden in the palpebral fold and the ones in the inferior lid are hidden under the eyelashes, making the scars imperceptible.

Post-Surgical

When leaving the clinic it is important for the patient to initially make very delicate movements to avoid bleeding or the formation of a Hematoma.

The natural evolution of the surgery presents an initial edema that is accompanied of some soreness. The eyes will feel a little heavy and the vision may be initially blurred, which will progressively improve to a normal state. It is important to place local cold, either with ice or cold compresses, avoiding skin burn. It is also important to be alert of bleeding signs or the formation of Hematoma, which produce a sudden and extreme pain. When this occurs the patient must immediately contact the doctor. During the first two to three days avoid activities that demand a great visual strain, as to watch television or read.

After three days it is recommended to place cloths of lukewarm water with some anti-inflammatory agent that helps diminish the swelling like Magnesium Sulfate or Arnica. On the fourth day the stitches are removed and concluding the first week the patient can put on makeup and resume his normal activities. The patient should try to avoid strong exercises for two or three weeks and avoid the use of contact lenses and eyeglasses for the same period. Direct sun exposure is not recommended at least for the first month and it’s important to use solar protection to avoid stains in the skin. A digital massage is recommended starting from the first week, to help reduce inflammation. The scars during the first month will be a little red but as time passes they will change its aspect until almost disappearing.

Complications

Some complications may involve bleeding, Hematoma, constant shedding, asymmetry, and difficulty closing the eye lids. The most serious ones imply loss of vision and it is secondary to the presence of a post-surgical Hematoma, hence the importance of warning the doctor of any extreme pain. It is usually a procedure with few complications when it is carried out responsibly and following the doctor’s instructions.

Time needed to remain in Cali.
5 days.

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Before and after photos blepharoplasty