Blepharoplasty

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure in which excess skin or fat around the eyes is removed. Excess skin can develop because of:

• aging
• a history of puffy eyelids because of allergies or water retention
• an inherited tendency toward droopy eyelids.

When is it used?

This procedure may be used when:

• Your upper field of vision is partly blocked by excess skin.
• You have aches in your brow from trying to use your forehead muscles to lift drooping eyelids.
• The extra skin around your eyes folds over on itself and the skin becomes irritated.
• You want to change your appearance.

How do I prepare for this procedure?

Arrange for someone to take you home after your surgery. Allow some time to rest at home.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers heal more slowly after surgery. They are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery. For this reason, if you are a smoker, you should quit at least 2 weeks before the procedure. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery. Also, your body will heal much better if you do not smoke after the surgery.

If you take important medicines regularly, ask your doctor about taking them on the day of surgery. If you take aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), or vitamin E, ask your provider if you need to stop taking this medicine before your surgery. If you need a minor pain reliever in the week before surgery, choose acetaminophen rather than aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. This may help to avoid extra bleeding during surgery.

If you are to have general anesthesia, eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water. If you regularly take any important medicines, your provider may ask you to take them on the day of surgery with a sip of water.

Do not wear eye makeup on the day of the surgery. Follow any other instructions provided by your doctor.

What happens during the procedure?

The surgeon marks the skin that will be removed. He or she may also find fat pads that need to be removed. The surgeon cuts away these tissues. Then the surgeon sews up the cuts with stitches. The stitches may be the type that dissolve and go away on their own, or they may need to be removed by your doctor at a follow-up visit after the surgery.

What happens after the procedure?

You may have swelling or bruising ("black eyes") that lasts for several weeks. You may have mild pain or discomfort right after your surgery. Ask your doctor if you can take acetaminophen for pain. Your doctor may prescribe a stronger pain medicine.

Your doctor may ask you to rest quietly for a day or two with your head raised. Also, you may put a cold compress (a washcloth moistened with cold water) or an ice pack over your eyes to reduce swelling and bruising.

Right after the surgery, the incisions are red and visible. Since they are made in natural creases in your skin, they may not be visible when they heal.

If you have been using contact lenses, ask your doctor when you can start using them again. If you wear glasses, you may wear them right away. Wait 2 weeks before using eye makeup.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

This procedure corrects vision problems caused by droopy eyelids. Also, you may look younger and less tired.

What are the risks of this procedure?

There are always risks associated with anesthesia. Ask your doctor about these risks. Other risks may include:

• bleeding
• infection
• dry eye
• rarely, double vision or loss of vision.

When should I call my doctor?

Call right away if you:

• have severe or worsening pain
• have a loss of vision
• have a lot of drainage or bleeding from your eye
• develop a fever.