Cosmetic Eyelid and Facial Surgery
Although changes due to age occur throughout the
body, they are often first noticed around the eyes.
Common age-related problems include wrinkles,
the loss of skin tone, changes in skin color caused
by sun exposure, excess skin and fat in the upper
eyelids, and the formation of "bags" under the
lower eyelids. These changes can make us look
older and can cause a tired appearance and a sense
of heaviness around the eyes.
Oculoplastic Surgery
Oculoplastic surgeons are trained in plastic surgery
as it relates to the eye and surrounding
structures. They have also completed full training
as eye physicians (ophthalmologists) and have an
intimate knowledge of the structure and function
of the areas around the eyes. Surgery aimed at
improving appearance is always performed with
consideration to maintaining the health of the eye.
Blepharoplasty
As we age, most people develop excess skin in
their upper and lower eyelids. Often, the eyelids
also appear like they have "bags". This is due to
the presence of fat. Surgery to improve appearance
from these changes is called "blepharoplasty".
Blepharoplasty surgery can be performed on both
the upper and lower eyelids.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Your surgeon will determine whether you have
excess skin, fat, or both and guide treatment
toward your particular situation. If the eyebrows
are also droopy, your surgeon may decide that
you might also be a candidate for surgery to raise
the brows. Surgery is performed using a local
anesthetic. The incision is placed in a naturally
occurring crease in the upper eyelid skin in
order to hide the incision. Surgery typically
takes 1-2 hours and you are able to go home the
same day. Usually, you will be seen at one week
to remove stitches from the skin. Some bruising
around the eyelids occurs in all patients and is
typically present for 1-2 weeks. Make-up can be
resumed approximately 2 weeks after surgery.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
As with the upper eyelids, blepharoplasty for
the lower eyelids may involve removing excess
skin, fat, or both. Surgery may either be performed
in the same manner as upper eyelid surgery by
making the incision in a natural crease, or it
may be performed from the inside of the eyelid.
Your surgeon will discuss these options with
you based on your examination.
Brow Lift
In some patients, the eye brows may be in a
lower than normal position. This causes skin to
droop and bunch up over the eyelids. Your surgeon
will examine the position of the brows and
discuss whether you are a candidate for this procedure
and the options for brow lift with you.
Botox
BOTOX¨ is a naturally occurring substance
that prevents muscles from contracting. It has
now been used for more than 20 years to treat
a variety of medical conditions caused by overactive
muscles.
Fillers
Those wrinkles that are made more prominent
when muscles of the face contract ("dynamic
wrinkles") are best treated with BOTOX¨.
Some wrinkles are present when the face is not
contracted and are referred to as "static wrinkles"
that cannot be treated with Botox.
However, they may be appropriate for treatment
with a substance to "fill" the depressions
to minimize their appearance. Several types of
fillers are available and your doctor will discuss
these options with you during your evaluation.
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Cosmetic Surgery