Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

View our before & after gallery and procedure instructions below

Cosmetic eyelid surgery has gained popularity by giving the face a more youthful look through improvement of wrinkled and saggy eyelid skin. Correcting aging of the eyes is a simple, effective way to achieve a rejuvenated but natural look.

Early signs of the normal aging process include downward shifting of the brows, upper eyelid fullness, lower eyelid “bags” and puffiness, and wrinkling skin. Initially, swelling of the upper eyelids presents only in the morning and diminishes by the end of the day. Allergies, systemic problems, anatomical characteristics, or genetic origins may produce repeated swelling that lead to earlier aging changes in the upper eyelids. However, the swelling progressively gets worse and does not disappear. Eventually eye shadow becomes smudged at the lid folds. Progressive upper eyelid fullness produces overhanging skin folds that result in partial visual obstruction.

A downward shift of the eyebrows is sometimes interpreted as a problem with the upper eyelids. Surgical correction of the brows is often times recommended before or at the same time as the upper eyelids. Having a Browlift procedure with an Upper Blepharoplasty will sometimes produce the most optimum result.

Lower eyelid puffiness or lower eyelid “bags” are caused by the protrusion of fatty tissues under the lids. It is sometimes noticeable at a relatively young age, beginning in the mid-twenties. More often it is developmental in nature and appears at thirty five to forty years old, becoming more noticeable in the forties or fifties. Depending on your needs, Dr. Trimas will either perform a “skin pinch” to remove excess skin and sagging on the lower eyelids or laser resurfacing to improve fine lines, discoloration, or “dark circles” beneath the eyes. If you are experiencing one or more of these signs, you may be a good candidate for an Upper and/or Lower Blepharoplasty procedure.

These procedures may be performed under local, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. Dr. Trimas will discuss these options with you at your cosmetic consultation appointment.

Instructions for Blepharoplasty Procedure:
Upper Blepharoplasty (Upper Eyelids)
Surgery Morning
  1. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight-may brush teeth. (if undergoing anesthesia)
  2. Take a shower and wash hair and face in the morning.
  3. Do not wear any make-up (includes mascara and eyeliner). Wash face with baby shampoo when arrive at surgery center to remove any residual eye make-up.
  4. Leave all jewelry at home. Cannot have any metal on your body, so please remove any body piercing.
  5. DO NOT WEAR CONTACTS.
  6. Clothing: Button-up shirt, sweat pants, socks, shoes (comfortable and easy to walk in).
  7. Bring pain medication with you. You will be numb after surgery and may not feel anything. However, the nurses will give you a pain pill prior to discharge to help keep pain level at a minimum.

Surgery Night
  1. Soft Bland Diet: DO NOT EAT SPICY FOODS and drink plenty of fluids. (if undergoing anesthesia)
  2. Start your antibiotics at suppertime; IF NAUSEATED may start antibiotics the next day.
  3. Sleep with head elevated using a recliner or at least 3-4 pillows for a week.
  4. Apply ice compresses to eyes every hour for at least 15 minutes for a couple of days. Frequent application of ice compresses decreases swelling and bruising.
  5. Take pain medication, as you need it, do not try to brave the pain. You will be more comfortable if you keep your pain at a minimum.

Next 2 weeks
  1. Incision Care
    1. Wash incision twice daily. Use Baby Shampoo or Cetaphil Soap. Clean incision sites by gently massaging with your fingers (DO NOT RUB HARD).
    2. Do not face shower, a strong water pressure may open incisions.
    3. Apply ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT or AQUAPHOR to keep incisions moist throughout the day.
  2. Expect EYE swelling, bruising, and redness for about 2 weeks (more or less).
  3. Do not wear make-up until completely healed.
  4. May wear contacts after 1-2 weeks.
  5. Sutures:
    1. Sutures-dissolvable, keep moist with ointment
    2. Purple Glue-let it flake off (DO NOT PICK OFF)
  6. No exercise, heavy lifting, or bending over.
  7. Scars are to be expected, but hidden in the eye fold.
 
Lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelids)
Surgery Morning
  1. Nothing to eat or drink after midnight-may brush teeth.
  2. Take a shower and wash hair and face in the morning.
  3. Do not wear any make-up (includes mascara and eyeliner). Wash face with baby shampoo when arrive at surgery center to remove any residual eye make-up.
  4. Leave all jewelry at home. Cannot have any metal on your body, so please remove any body piercing.
  5. DO NOT WEAR CONTACTS.
  6. Clothing: Button-up shirt, sweat pants, socks, shoes (comfortable and easy to walk in).
  7. Bring pain medication with you. You will be numb after surgery and may not feel anything. However, the nurses will give you a pain pill prior to discharge to help keep pain level at a minimum.

Surgery Night
  1. Soft Bland Diet: DO NOT EAT SPICY FOODS and drink plenty of fluids.
  2. Start your antibiotics at suppertime; IF NAUSEATED may start antibiotics the next day.
  3. Sleep with head elevated using a recliner or at least 3-4 pillows for a week.
  4. Apply ice compresses to eyes every hour for at least 15 minutes for a couple of days. Frequent application of ice compresses decreases swelling and bruising.
  5. Use ARTIFICIAL TEARS frequently to rinse eyes of any drainage and keep eyes moist. Apply Bacitracin Ophthalmic Ointment inside eyes for 2 nights only.
  6. Take pain medication, as you need it, do not try to brave the pain. You will be more comfortable if you keep your pain at a minimum.

Next 2 weeks
  1. Skin Care– (if having lower eyelid CO2 Laser)
    1. Every 2 hours: Wash with Cetaphil (Removing all of Aquaphor)
    2. Wet gauze and gently scrub any yellow/white skin crusting
    3. Pat Dry
    4. Apply Aquaphor (may reapply if melts/dries off)
    5. Some areas may bleed (just apply slight pressure) scrub around it and prevent scabbing by keeping moist with Aquaphor.
    6. Take pain medication 30minutes-1 hour prior to washing.
    7. Avoid sun exposure as much as possible.
  2. Incision Care– (if having lower eyelid SKIN PINCH)
    1. Clean with Cetaphil or Baby Shampoo. Apply antibiotic ointment or Aquaphor atleast twice daily. Sutures are dissolvable, keep moist with ointment. Let purple glue flake off.
    2. Expect EYE swelling, bruising, irritation, and redness for about 2 weeks (more or less).
    3. Use Artificial Tears to keep eyes moist. Use Blephamide drops if experience irritation and redness.
    4. No exercise, heavy lifting, or bending over.
    5. DO NOT WEAR CONTACTS
    6. Do not scratch lasered areas, may cause scarring.
After 2 weeks (if having lower eyelid CO2 Laser)
  1. Continue Facial Care: (start when skin is pink)
  2. Wash with Cetaphil morning and night
  3. Pat Dry
  4. Apply Cetaphil moisturizer with SPF 30 throughout the day
  5. Sun protection is very important. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (at least SPF30) at all times.
  6. May wear make-up.

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