Blepharoplasty
Dr. Zacharia performs blepharoplasty.
About Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty refers to the surgical technique of removing excess skin to correct drooping of the upper eyelids and excess fat and/or skin to remove the ?bags? below your eyes.
Many people in their early to mid-thirties begin to notice a tired appearance around their eyes, many people seek treatment for their bags under their eyes – eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is the best procedure to combat bags under the eyes.
This is most commonly attributed to a fullness or puffiness of their eyelids, caused by the accumulation of excess skin and/or fat. This fat is independent of body weight. It is originally under or behind the eye and migrates forward with the aging of the eyelid tissues. There are other conditions, however, such as allergy, fluid retention and thyroid disease which must be ruled out before surgery because blepharoplasty will not substantially improve these situations.
Am I a candidate for Blepharoplasty?
Candidates for Blepharoplasty are those that are unhappy with the appearance of the baggy skin around their eyes. This could be for a number of issues, but ideally it would be due to conditions which inhibit daily function or simply make looking in the mirror a taxing task. You will be an ideal candidate for eyelid surgery if you experience:
- Puffy under eye bags which can make you appear haggard
- Excess skin on the upper lids which can inhibit sight significantly
- Fine wrinkles on the lower eyelid which can make you look older than you are
- Dark circles, bags or puffy skin
Your Blepharoplasty consultation
You and your surgeon will discuss a treatment plan together so that you are both on the same page. Your surgeon will asses both eyes and eyebrows and suggests the best treatment for you that offers all round symmetry. Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids alone or the lower eyelids alone. Most commonly all four lids are treated at once. If you meet the criteria for a Medicare rebate, this will be discussed as well and applied to your quote.
How long will recovery take and what?s involved?
Eyelids have delicate tissue needing delicate surgery. However if handled well they heal quickly with very fine scars, often hard to find. You will experience significant purple and yellow bruising and swelling which should subside after 2 weeks. At this time, you can expect to return back to work and activities as normal. However, you will need to avoid any sort of strain for at least 6 weeks. This includes no swimming, heavy lifting or strenuous activities like running or jogging. Moving your head too much will increase quick blood flow so we also suggest no bending over to avoid this. To help aid a quick recovery, we recommend:
- Keeping your head up to reduce swelling, even when sleeping during the first few days of the recovery stage
- Using ice-packs to keep the area comfortable and reduce swelling
- Avoid activities that cause dry eyes such as reading, watching tv, looking at the computer for prolonged periods of time and wearing contacts. If you do experience dryness, eye drops can be used to ease any discomfort.
- Wear sunglasses for a fortnight after your surgery to prevent irritation caused by the sun and wind.
FAQ
What are the risks?
Although complications are very rare, they include ? asymmetry, infection, blurriness, double vision, ?dry eye syndrome?, bleeding and rounding of the corner of the eye. These are usually only temporary, however may interfere with your return to work plan.
What are the non-surgical alternatives?
Botox or Dysport may be a suitable alternative depending on your case. It is used to subtly lift the eyebrows, which takes away some of the loose skin from the eyelid.
When will I be able to see results?
You should see results immediately after the swelling and bruising subsides, which would be around 2 weeks following the surgery.
Will blepharoplasty remove my eye wrinkles?
No, as it is not designed to do so. Wrinkles around the corners of your eyes (crow?s feet) can be treated with Botox or Dysport.
Will Medicare or my health insurance pay for my blepharoplasty?
In some cases, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate from your procedure. Dr. Zacharia will assess whether or not a Medicare item number is applicable to your case if you meet the criteria. If not, the full cost of surgery will be your responsibility.
Are blepharoplasty results permanent?
The results on your blepharoplasty are designed to be permanent. However, as you age, so does your skin so it is important to keep in mind changes that may occur later down the track as your skin loses elasticity. Protection from the sun and environmental factors will help maintain your good results. It is also important to keep in mind that smoking has a great effect on your blepharoplasty result, and therefore it is advised that you do reduce your cigarette intake or stop altogether do maintain the results.
Will I be left with a scar?
The scar that you will receive from the procedure will be virtually invisible as it is designed to be concealed within the natural fold/crease of the eyelid. The lower blepharoplasty is done on the posterior surface, which does not leave an external scar. In some cases you may need an external scar which would be concealed by your eyelash line.