- Eyelid Surgery
- Introduction
- How It Is Done
- Patient Photographs
- What to Expect After Surgery
- Complications
- Care After Surgery
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Rhinoplasty
- Submental Liposuction
- Chin and Jawline Enhancement
- Facelift
- Liposuction
- Male Breast Reduction
- Calf Augmentation
- Laser Hair Removal
- Complete Facial Rejuvenation
Eyelid Surgery - Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is the surgery painful?
- Eyelid surgery is typically not painful. Patients are uncomfortable because of the swelling and blurry vision, caused by the ointment and temporary swelling of the conjunctiva.
Q. How long do I need to be off work?
- Time off work largely depends on the importance of your appearance at work. It can take several days for your vision to return to normal because of swelling that affects the conjunctiva (transparent eye lining). Bruising and swelling typically take about ten days to subside. For most patients, ten days off work is reasonable, but it is certainly possible to return sooner if swelling and some degree of bruising are tolerable in the workplace. Eyeglasses can help camouflage the area. Most patients are out running errands wearing dark wraparound sunglasses to conceal swelling and bruising as early as a few days after surgery.
Q. How long do the results last?
- It usually takes decades for the skin to relax enough to need to be trimmed again. It is not unusual for a patient to need a forehead lift rather than a repeat upper blepharoplasty. A repeat upper blepharoplasty has to be done very cautiously to avoid over-resection and the possibility of incomplete eyelid closure ("lagophthalmos").
Fat bulges of the lower lids are caused by weakness of the orbital septum, which is a sort of retaining wall that holds the fat back under the eyeball. These bulges take a long time to recur. It is unusual for me to have to redo fat resection and it is important not to remove too much fat, because this can give a "hollowed out" look which is not youthful.
Q. Can I have a facelift after a lower eyelid surgery?
- Yes, I may revise previous lower blepharoplasties at the time of a facelift to re-drape this tissue which would otherwise build up along the lower lid. Lower blepharoplasty revisions must to be done cautiously to avoid over-resection which can cause an ectropion.
Q. Will this surgery take away the dark circles under my eyes?
- Dark circles are notoriously resistant to treatment. Makeup helps women conceal dark circles. The removal of the extra fat under the eyes will help to de-emphasize the circles, making them less noticeable. To effectively treat dark circles, I often perform simultaneous laser resurfacing and fat injection. The fat is placed in the tear troughs to reduce the demarcation of the lower lids. Youthful lids blend into the cheek without a noticeable trough or border. These treatments work together to soften and smooth the lid-cheek transition, a hallmark of aging.
Q. How bruised and swollen will I be? How long does this last?
- Swelling and bruising vary greatly from patient to patient. The bruising goes away before the swelling fully resolves. In most patients, the bruising clears in about ten days. Almost everyone is back to work at this time and some return much sooner. It takes a few months for the eyelid swelling to completely subside.
Also, the eye lining – the conjunctiva – can swell and cause a bubble ("chemosis") that looks unsightly but is not dangerous and will eventually go down as the swelling subsides.
Q. Will I be able to see properly after surgery?
- Your vision may be blurry at first because of the swelling which also involves the cornea and makes it difficult to read after surgery. The swelling and use of the eye lubricant for at least a few days after surgery (and sometimes much longer) will also cause your vision to be somewhat blurry but it is temporary.
Q. Will my eyes appear "bloodshot" after the surgery?
- There is often some redness ("subconjunctival hematoma") of the white part of the eye which looks scary but is not dangerous and goes away on its own. It is important to realize that this is not from any trauma to the eye, but simply blood that has tracked over under the skin and under the invisible lining of the eye.
Q. I once heard of someone who couldn't close her eyes after this surgery. Could that happen to me?
- Most patients cannot completely close their eyes after surgery for at least a few days and often a week or more. It is essential that they use lubricant during this time. It is possible that this problem might persist, although eventually the swelling tends to go down and the tissues loosen to allow eyelid closure. Experienced surgeons are cautious to avoid removing too much extra skin.
Q. I know I can't wear my contacts for two weeks after surgery. What about my glasses?
- Glasses are fine. They will also help to disguise bruises and swelling when you go out. You can wear contacts when the swelling goes down enough so that you can easily manipulate your eyelids. Some patients can do this a week after surgery.
Q. I have to return to work right away. How can I cover the bruises?
- If you do not have laser resurfacing, you can apply makeup a few days after surgery. There is really no point trying to apply makeup before that time because you are not going to look good anyway. If you have laser resurfacing, you need to wait until the skin has healed, which can take a week or so. Mineral-based makeup works well to hide redness after laser resurfacing. Our office carries this makeup, which will stay on the skin and tends to be more effective than liquid makeup.
Q. Is it okay if I am in the sun?
- Sun exposure or UV exposure in a tanning bed is not advisable on any healing wound because it can cause hyperpigmentation; this is especially true after laser skin resurfacing. You can be outside but be sure to take precautions: Wear a hat and sunglasses. Always use sunblock especially after the sutures come out and after the skin treated by the laser has healed.
Q. Will insurance cover this procedure?
- If your vision is impaired due to droopy upper eyelids, your insurance may apply. Usually visual field tests need to be done by an eye doctor. Insurance does not cover lower blepharoplasties because this is considered cosmetic.
