Double Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty can be a functional surgical procedure. When a higher than normal amount of upper eyelid tissue is present, the skin may cause irritation by hanging over the eyelashes. Removal of this excess tissue above the eyelid is sometimes required to prevent the skin from overhanging and affecting a patient’s vision.

 

However, a lot of eyelid surgery performed these days is for cosmetic purposes. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is almost always done to improve puffy lower eyelid bags and to reduce wrinkles around the eye to give a more youthful appearance.

 

If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking medications for a period of time before surgery.

 

Before surgery, you will talk to surgeon about the operation and will be asked to sign a consent form.

 

This confirms you understand the risks, benefits and possible alternatives to the procedure and have given the permission for it to ahead.

 

You will usually have a photograph taken before the operation so that the results of surgery can be compared with your original appearance,

 

If you are having a general anesthetic, you will be asked to follow fasting instructions. You must not eat or drink for about 6 hours before a general anesthetic.

 

 

Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. If you’re having all four eyelids done, the surgeon will probably work on the upper lids first then the lower ones.

 

In a typical procedure, the surgeon makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids.

 

The incisions may extend into crow’s feet or laugh lines at the outer corners of your eyes. Working through these incisions, the surgeon separates the skin form underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims sagging sin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.

 

If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but don’t need to have any skin removed, your surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside your lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.

 

After surgery, the surgeon will probably lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply a bandage. Your eyelid may feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off, but you can control and discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. If you feel any severe pain, call your surgeon immediately.

 

Your surgeon will instruct you to keep your head elevated for several days, and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. (Bruising varies from person to person: it reaches its peak during the first week, and generally lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month). You’ll be shown how to clean your eyes, which may be gummy for a week or so.

 

Many doctors recommend eyedrops, since your eyelids may feel dry at first and your eyes may burn or itch. For the first few weeks you may experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in your eyesight, such as blurring or double vision.

Your surgeon will follow your progress very closely for the first week or two.

 

The stitches will be removed two days to a week after surgery. Once they’re out, the swelling and discoloration around eyes gradually subside, and you’ll start to look and feel much better.