Blepharoplasty

As we age, we become more susceptible to the effects of gravity and daily stress, and we begin to notice the sagging, swelling, and wrinkling of facial skin. This is often very apparent in the eye region with drooping upper and lower eyelids. These puffy, fatty deposits can make you appear tired or angry. Fortunately, Dr. Siporin can help you dramatically improve these negative effects.

Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty removes the fat deposits and loose skin that can form on the lower eyelids with age. Some factors, including heredity, smoking, and sun damage can accelerate these changes. But older people are not the only ones who can benefit from blepharoplasty. Younger people with a congenital excess of fatty tissue often elect to have this procedure to eliminate puffiness of the eyes.

Blepharoplasty begins with the strategic placement of small incisions either along the eyelash line, or even inside the eyelid. Any excess skin, fat, and tissue are removed. The remaining materials are fashioned to create a refreshed appearance.

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty is one of the most frequently performed surgeries. This surgery is used to remove the fat deposits along with loose and drooping skin that form around the upper eyelids due to age, heredity, smoking, and sun damage. Younger people also have this procedure done to eliminate puffiness of the eyes from congenital excess of fat or droopy skin.

Common Benefits of Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

• Puffiness of the lower eye area decreases
• Remarkable difference in the appearance of the face
• Decreases the appearance of tiredness and old age by eliminating the excess wrinkled skin beneath the eyes
• The results will last for many years.

Common Benefits Of Upper Eyelid Surgery
(Blepharoplasty)

• Elimination of the hooding, or heaviness of the upper eye lid, due to excess skin and fat
• Remarkable difference in the appearance of the face
• Decreases the appearance of tiredness and old age by eliminating the excess wrinkled skin beneath the eyes
• Eyes appear fresher and more youthful
• Results will last for many years

For enhanced results, Dr. Siporin may recommend complementary procedures, such as the use of fillers or fat injections. The options will be explained to you in detail during your evaluation.

About the Procedure(s)

• Usually lasts between one and two hours
• Usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or local with sedation
• Incisions are typically made in the creases of your upper and/or lower eyelids and below or above the lash line of your eyelids, making scars virtually invisible
• Excess fat, muscle and skin are removed
• When performing transconjuctival blepharoplastv, Dr. Siporin makes the incision inside the lower eyelid. No skin is removed and the incision is closed with dissolving sutures
• Fine sutures are used to close the incision
• Permanent stitches will be removed 3-5 days after the procedure
• Scarring is usually minimal after three weeks and undetectable in six months

Recovery Periods

• Reading: 2 or 3 days
• Back to work: 7 to 10 days
• Refrain from wearing contact lenses for about two weeks after surgery
• Strenuous activities should not be undertaken for 3 weeks
• Consumption of alcohol should he held off for about 3 weeks
• It will take several days for bruising and swelling to be gone

What to Expect After Surgery

After surgery, your eyes will be lubricated with ointment to reduce dryness in this area. (Your vision may be blurred temporarily from the ointment.) For the first two days after surgery you should rest with your head elevated and lay quietly with your eyes mostly closed for about a day. Most likely, a gentle application of cold compresses to your eyelids will be recommended.

Your vision may continue to be somewhat blurry for a few days and will be temporarily sensitive to light. You may experience excessive tearing or dryness. Eye drops given to you by Dr. Siporin will help relieve any itching.

At first, the incisions will be red and feel somewhat bumpy and you may feel tightness around the eyes with minor discomfort that lasts a day or two. Pain reliever can be taken as needed. Within 5 to 7 days you will be able to return to light activities.

Your sutures (stitches) are removed sometime within the first four to five days. The swelling and discoloration around your eves will gradually subside, and you’ll start to look and feel better each day. Swelling and bruising varies considerably from person to person. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Within the first week, you can use makeup.

Long term outcome

The scars may remain pink for several months but are easily concealed with eyeliner or concealer. Eventually they will fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line. The removal of fat is permanent, but the looseness of the skin and fine wrinkling of the eyelid area can return in the future. Even though the aging process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following eyelid surgery.

An ideal candidate for blepharoplasty is

• In good physical health
• A non smoker
• Understands the procedure’s outcome
• Desires correction of droopy, baggy eyelids
• Has no known ophthalmologic conditions such as glaucoma or detached retina
• Medical conditions such as high blood pressure, circulatory problems, hypothyroidism or other thyroid related conditions are considerations to take in account while determining suitability
• Has realistic expectations for the outcome