blepharoplasty

In/Outpatient, Anesthesia, Length of Procedure

Dr. Chariker typically performs eyelid surgery in our private, nationally accredited outpatient surgery center. The patient is given a sedative for relaxation, and a local anesthetic to numb the area around the eyes. The surgery generally takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery.

During and After

In a typical procedure, Dr. Chariker makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids – in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids – sometimes extending into the crow's feet or laugh lines at the corners of your eyes. Working through these incisions, he separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims sagging skin and muscle. He then closes the incisions with very fine sutures. If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but don't need to have any skin removed, Dr. Chariker may make an incision inside your lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. After surgery, Dr. Chariker will probably lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply a bandage. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off, but you can control any discomfort with the pain medication he will prescribe. You will need to keep your head elevated for several days and use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising, which lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month. Once stitches are removed, a few days after surgery, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will begin to subside, and you’ll start to look and feel much better.

Side Effects and Risks

The minor complications that occasionally follow blepharoplasty include double or blurred vision for a few days; temporary swelling at the corner of the eyelids; and a slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out, which Dr. Chariker can remove easily with a very fine needle.

Following surgery, some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep; in rare cases this condition may be permanent. Another very rare complication is ectropion, a pulling down of the lower lids. A procedure called a canthopexy is often performed during the blepharoplasty to prevent this complication. Further surgery may be required if this problem develops.

Recovery

You should be able to read or watch television after two or three days, though you should keep your activities to a minimum for three to five days and avoid strenuous activities for about three weeks. It's especially important to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting, and rigorous sports. You also should avoid alcohol, since it causes fluid retention. You won't be able to wear contact lenses for about two weeks, and even then they may feel uncomfortable for awhile. Most people feel ready to go out in public (and back to work) in a week to 10 days. By then, depending on how quickly you are healing, you'll probably be able to wear makeup to hide the bruising that remains. You may be sensitive to sunlight, wind and other irritants for several weeks, so you should wear sunglasses and a special sunblock made for eyelids when you go out. Remember that healing is a gradual process, and your scars may remain slightly pink for six months or more after surgery. Eventually, though, they'll fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line.

Duration of Results

While your face will continue to age normally, the positive effects of a well-done eyelid surgery will last for years, giving you a more alert and youthful look for a long time to come. For many people, these results are permanent.