Considering Eyelid Surgery

Asian blepharoplasty, commonly termed double-eyelid surgery, refers to surgery designed to place a pretarsal crease in Asian eyes that are absent a fold.
Patients typically desire to look more bright eyed and want to make applying eyeliner easier.
Patients also seek to remove the puffy and tired look associated with a fatty upper lid.
In current times, Asian patients almost never seek to westernize their appearance, and surgeons should be wary of removing a patient's ethnicity even in the rare case when it is requested.



Am I a good candidate for aesthetic eyelid surgery?
Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery:

---excess skin obscuring the natural fold of the upper eyelids
---loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids, perhaps impairing vision
---puffy appearance to the upper eyelids, making the eyes look tired
---excess skin and fine, creepy wrinkles of the lower eyelids
---bags and dark circles under the eyes, often with a depression along the bony border of the lower eyelids
---droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye)

Aesthetic eyelid surgery can usually correct these problems, though other treatments may also need to be considered.

Your Personal Consultation
During the initial consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved.
This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

How will my plastic surgeon evaluate me for aesthetic eyelid surgery?

You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss you medical history including previous surgeries, past and present medical conditions and current medications.
It is important for you to provide complete information.

One of several surgical techniques may be suggested to improve the appearance of your eyelids.
The particular technique that your plastic surgeon recommends will depend on may factors such as the amount of excess fat and skin in the eyelid areas, the position of your eyebrows, and the condition of muscles around your eyelids.

How Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery is Performed
1> Suture ligation method (non-incision type)
2> External incision method

Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from eyelid surgery.
Your plastic surgeon will select the surgical technique that he or she feels will obtain the best outcome for you.
For upper eyelid surgery, generally an incision is hidden within the natural fold of the upper eyelid and extends slightly beyond the outside corner into the laugh lines or other existing creases.
Through this incision, excess skin and fatty tissue are removed.
Because the incision follows the natural contour of the upper eyelid, it will be well camouflaged when healed.

How will I look and feel initially?
It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
The first evening after surgery, you should rest quietly with your head elevated.
Your surgeon may instruct you to apply cold compresses to your eyelids.
Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications.
Initially, you may feel a "tight" sensation around the eyes and some mild discomfort that can be controlled with oral medication.
During the first 48 hours following surgery, patients experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising.
Some patients find that mild swelling persist for several weeks, while others may see swelling resolve in as little as one week.
Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days.
Within the first week you will be permitted to use makeup, if desired, to conceal any discoloration.
Stitches are usually removed within a week of surgery.
Your vision may continue to be somewhat blurry for a few days or longer.
Your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to light, and you may experience excess tearing or dryness.
You may want to wear dark sunglasses for a couple of weeks to protect your eyes from wind and sun irritation.

When can I resume my normal activities?
Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period.
In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less.
Although you might feel like going back to work just a few days after surgery, your vision may still be slightly blurry which could make reading or other paperwork more difficult.

Results of Your Eyelid Surgery
Aesthetic eyelid surgery has the effect of making you look more rested, refreshed and alert.
Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks to get an accurate picture of the results of your eyelid surgery.
Incisions will fade over a number of months until they become barely visible.

How long will the results last?
The results of aesthetic eyelid surgery are long-lasting, but they may be affected by your heredity and lifestyle factors.
Removal of fat from your eyelids, which is usually the cause of puffiness and bags, is permanent, and these conditions generally will not recur.
The skin continues to age, however, and skin laxity along the fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may, at some point, return.
Sometimes loss of tone in the forehead causes additional sagging of the eyebrows which mimics a recurrence of drooping upper eyelids.
if this happens, correction may require a forehead lift or a secondary eyelid procedure.
Even though the aging process continues, patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following eyelid surgery.
Some patients find that they want to make additional improvements at a later time.