Blepharoplasty – What Happens During Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty Dubai | 30 June 2019
Blepharoplasty can be performed on upper eyelids, lower eyelids — or both at the same time. During surgery, incisions are made in the natural folds of the eyelid, in the crease of the upper eyelid and just beneath the lashes or behind the lower eyelid. This way, incisions are virtually unnoticeable after they have healed. While you are lying down during blepharoplasty, your surgeon will make precise markings to designate where excess skin and fat pads need to be removed. Some underlying muscle also may be removed. These tissues are removed with surgical instruments such as scalpels, surgical scissors, radio-frequency cutting devices and sometimes cutting lasers. Sutures or tissue adhesives (glue) then are carefully applied to smooth and reconfigure areas around the eyebrows and eyelids. During the procedure, your surgeon will make judgments about how much skin, muscle and/or fat to remove, based on a preoperative evaluation of factors such as your underlying facial muscle structure, bone structure and the symmetry of your eyebrows.
Dry eye patients frequently require that less tissue be removed to avoid exposing more of the eye to the air, which can cause symptoms to worsen. In cases where the eyebrows also are droopy, a procedure to elevate the eyebrows also may be appropriate. This procedure, called a brow lift, involves making incisions into the scalp and tightening the skin to lift the eyebrows.
Recovery From Blepharoplasty
Following an eye lift procedure, topical antibiotic ointment will be applied. Eye patches rarely are necessary. On the first day, you should apply cold packs each hour you are awake, for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. The ice should reduce the swelling and keep bruising to a minimum. On the second day, apply cold packs every few hours for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time. After 48 hours, warm compresses should be applied to promote faster healing. I will instruct you about what pain medication to take, if needed. Most people need only non-prescription pain relievers. Narcotics rarely are necessary.
Expect mild discomfort during the immediate recovery period. But if pain is severe or vision changes occur, call your surgeon’s office immediately. While you recover, your eye area will be bruised and red with swollen eyes, particularly during the first few days. The whites of your eyes (sclera) also may become red and bloodshot. It may take a few weeks for healing to be complete, during which time you should not wear eye makeup. You can resume wearing contact lenses when the eyelid swelling subsides enough to allow the lenses to be comfortable. If you wear eyeglasses, you can put them on carefully at any time after surgery.
Often the sutures used for your procedure will dissolve on their own in four to seven days, and you will not need to have them removed. If non-dissolving sutures are used, then your surgeon will remove them about a week after the procedure. Most people who undergo eyelid surgery report satisfaction and improved self image. Those whose vision was hampered by excess folds of skin often have improvements in the visual field they are able to see.