UPPER BLEPHAROPLASTY

Upper Blepharoplasty in Santa Barbara –  Eyelid Surgery

In today’s modern world, there are many cosmetic eyelid surgery procedures that prove to be promising in making you look at your best, creating an increase in self-esteem and a boost in confidence. One of these types of surgery is upper blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, eyelid lift, eye lift surgery and eyelid tuck.

Find your way to a younger look. One of the first areas on the face to show the first signs of aging the skin that surrounds the eyes and the eyelids.  Sagging, drooping, excess skin and unsightly crow’s feet begin to appear gradually as an individual grows older. Most of the time, these changes are cosmetically unattractive, but they can also irritate your eyes or hinder your vision. Eyelid surgery can help reduce or eliminate some of these problem areas resulting in a more youthful appearance.

WHAT IS UPPER BLEPHAROPLASTY?

Blepharoplasty surgery is a cosmetic eyelid procedure that is performed primarily for the purpose of being able to get rid of droopy or baggy eyelids, puffy eyes, tired eyes, aging eyes and excess skin, which is one of the most visible signs of aging. This results from the laxity of tissue, making it saggy and giving the “tired” look.

Fat pads can budge from the lower eyelid and hooding from the upper eyelid can occur as well.  While upper eyelid surgery can be used for cosmetic purposes, it is also beneficial in terms of correcting medical problems in the eye lids, such as when there is loose skin that can have a negative impact on your vision.

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To find out if eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara is right for you, contact Dr. Sheffield at (805) 318-3280 to discuss a customized treatment plan.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE?

Not everyone is a candidate for the eyelid rejuvenation. There are many factors that determine who is medically suited for upper eyelid surgery and likely to have the best outcome and the easiest recovery time from surgery.  The best blepharoplasty surgeon would recommend this procedure as it is meant specifically to correct puffy, hooded, droopy or sagging eyelids and by doing so restore the occluded vision associated with excess skin and fatty tissue surrounding the eyes. Patients who may have medical or ophthalmic conditions would likely not be considered candidates for upper blepharoplasty.  Please consult your plastic surgeon in Santa Barbara about eyelid surgery.

THE CONSULTATION

On arrival for your consultation, you will be required to provide your medical history and also any history of taking medications. For the benefit of the patient, it is important that he or she discloses any major illnesses. Proper disclosure places us in the best position to attend to patient’s need and to give the necessary recommendation.  During the consultation, Dr. Sheffield will ask you pertinent questions relating to what bothers you about your eyelids and explain how this may be related to the aging process. He will discuss your surgical goals and offer a specifically designed treatment plan to meet or exceed expectations.

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THE SURGERY

Upper blepharoplasty is performed to take off or align excessive fat and skin from the upper eyelid. The process often requires about 1 hour and is contingent upon the requirements of your specific needs. The eyelid surgery should be possible either under general or local anesthesia. Eyelid rejuvenation surgery is typically performed in stages:

• Paying close consideration regarding the forms and position of one’s eyelid and the expected result, your specialist will painstakingly design out the entry points just before they are done.

• Anesthesia is regulated. In case you are experiencing normal anesthesia you will likely be made to relax, and in case you’re simply utilizing a neighborhood analgesic the territory will be desensitized.

• Following the normal wrinkles of the upper eyelid, upper blepharoplasty incisions are made such that any subsequent scar will be covered.

• Excess skin is evacuated. It is through this upper blepharoplasty incision the remainder of the surgery can be completed.

• A piece of orbital septum is extracted from the part of the entire upper eyelid. It definitely will permit your plastic surgeon to gain access to the excess fat cushions that rest simply beneath.

• The upper eyelid is reorganized via deliberately expelling fat (or including it now and again) from various regions in and around the eyesight.

• Any hemorrhage, particularly from the muscle of the face that closes the eyelids, the muscle of orbicularis oculi, is effectively and forcefully controlled through a joined exertion between your body’s common reactions and your specialist.

• The entry points are shut. Either through the use of dissolving, absorbable sutures or conventional, non-absorbable sutures can be utilized. In the event that your methodology utilizes the more conventional sutures, you’ll need them expelled around 3 to 7 days after your upper blepharoplasty surgery.

To find out if eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara is right for you, contact Dr. Sheffield at (805) 318-3280 to discuss a customized treatment plan.

RECOVERY

The eyelid procedure will involve stitches and typically, they will be removed about five days after the procedure has been performed. The small pieces of tape that are used, on the other hand, will be removed at the same time. In most cases, recovery will take a week or less, after which, you will be able to return to your work or normal life.

The operation is performed to correct defects or deformities of the eyelid. It also refers to any procedure done to aesthetically improve the region around the eyes. Regardless of how complex the procedure may be, eyelid lift surgery is carried out on an outpatient basis. Following surgery, the areas around the eyes may begin to appear worse after a few days, but this will later subside and get better. The first part of the upper blepharoplasty recovery process will last about 2 weeks, but overall it will take as much as 6 weeks for all the swelling to disappear and for the final result to appear.

Day 1:

Immediately after the procedure, your eyelids are held down by paper tape. This is to allow the eyelids to heal properly and the expected contours get revealed. Gauze may also be used for covering the eyes and it could last for up to 3 days after the surgery.

You may have to rely on someone’s assistance to get home after the procedure. Your vision is expected to be blurry for a while and your eyes will need to be covered for a period of time after the procedure. This can be quite discomforting to some people, but there is no need for over concern as this is only temporary. Full vision will be restored as the recovery process progresses.  Some of the causes of blurriness after surgery are swelling, dryness or from ointment during surgery.

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Week 1:

For this procedure, some plastic surgeons use dissolving sutures, which means that patients won’t have to return to have stitches removed at a later date. However, if traditional sutures are used, this would mean that patients will have to come back between three days to one week after the procedure.

You should make your surgeon aware if you observe excessive amount of tearing or dryness after the procedure. Typically, your surgeon will recommend that you take eye drops to help. It is advised that you follow all the post-operation instructions given by your plastic surgeon which will limit the chances of something going wrong.

For the management of pain, you are expected to communicate with your surgeon before you opt for any over-the-counter medication. However, patients are not expected to use non-steroidal anti-inflammation drugs such as Ibuprofen and aspiring, as they can increase the likelihood of bleeding and bruising.

Week 2:

Typically, patients return back to work within 10 days after the completion of the procedure. It may be quite challenging to carry out some tasks such as reading due to the lingering blurred vision.

Light exercise is allowed a few days following the procedure. For more rigorous exercise, patients must refrain from it until 4-6 weeks following the procedure. Contact sports are also ruled out until there is an express permission from your surgeon.

Two weeks after the eyelid lift, patients are allowed to makeup, as long as it is sterile. Non-sterile makeup will increase the chances of an infection. If after the procedure you begin to observe blackness around the eyes, which is also called Raccoon eyes, there is no need to be worried, in cases such as this discoloration will fade with time.

In fact, most patients use makeup as a way of camouflaging any form of discoloration or bruising that may result during the recovery process. For sunglasses, it is okay to begin wearing immediately after the procedure. Usually, the eyes are sensitive to light after the procedure, so using a dark pair of sunshades is apt as it helps protect the vision from the intense glare of light. For contact lens, however, patients are advised to wait for a minimum of two weeks before they begin wearing.

EXPEDITING THE RECOVERY

1. Try as much as you can to ensure that your head is raised at all times after the procedure, regardless of if you are awake or asleep. This posture helps to prevent the eyelid from swelling too much, while at the same time speed up recovery. If you must take on a reclining position then you must place between two to three pillows under your head.

2. After the surgery patients are advised to wait for a minimum of 24 hours before they have their first bath or shower. Care must be taken not to submerge the whole incision under water until they have properly healed.

3. Also, after the surgery, patients are advised to refrain from reading and watching television for a minimum of 48 hours or even longer. This is quite tough and the temptation to do either of these two during recovery will be high. Reading and watching television are acts that can dry out the eyes, hence prolonging the healing process.

4. Do not sunbath, for at least 4-6 weeks or until your surgeon gives you the permission. When going out, it is advised that you use dark sunglasses to help block out the rays of the sun.

5. Easily digestible foods such as ginger ale, Jell-O, and soups are foods you should stick to 24-48 hours following the surgical procedure. The reason is so that the body can easily absorb the nutrients found in these foods, hence its energy can be directed on healing. You can go back to your normal diet if you don’t have any nauseous feeling.

6. Salty foods are known to encourage swelling, so it is advised to avoid them. Instead, stay hydrated and focus on low sodium foods. A proper nutrition will contribute to a speedier recovery.

7. Use a cold compress over the eyes, to help keep the bruising and swelling down.

8. Be wary of how you touch your face recovery. You are expected not to scratch, rub or stretch the eyes for the next 4 weeks.

9. Be careful of the kind of exercise you partake in. You should avoid serious exercise or heavy lifting for at least four weeks following the procedure.

10. You should call your surgeon if you observe any of the following;

• Fever of 101 or above
• Redness spreading from the incision areas outwards
• Excessive bleeding
• Pain that refuses to subside
• Vision problem or sharp pain in the back of the eyes

MAINTAINING YOUR RESULTS

It usually takes a couple of weeks for the final outcome of eyelid rejuvenation to be noticed fully, but the final result lasts for a very long time. The results of upper blepharoplasty, like lower eyelid surgery, will last an extensive period of time, and it is very rare to need repeat surgery.  Nevertheless, over time, the natural aging process will have an effect on the result.

Generally speaking, the eyes will appear well rested, younger, and much healthier are surgery.  Patients are routinely satisfied and excited about the final outcome, and it also helps to boost their self-esteem. Despite the fact the outcome of the eyelid lift surgery will last for possibly a decade or more, age, as well as other factors, will have a continuous impact on your skin.

In order for the results to last for a very long time, a healthy lifestyle needs to be adopted and maintained.  To keep your skin looking youthful and firm, get plenty of exercise, good hydration, and adequate nutrition. Another thing that will make your results last longer is “rest.” You need to have plenty of rest, so make sure you sleep well at night as well as during the day. You also need to quit smoking (if you smoke), as this contributes to the sagging of the skin.

FAQ – Upper Blepharoplasty

1. Is there a minimum age for the procedure?

No one can be regarded as being too young for the surgery, although some people tend to need it much earlier than others. Some candidates for early blepharoplasty include those who suffer from vision problems, those who have a family trait of sagging eyelids or those that do not like the appearance of monolids.

However, most patients who have the procedure are usually 35 years and over.

2. Is it possible to have other procedures done at the same time as upper blepharoplasty?

Of course, it is possible to undertake non-surgical face lift, skin resurfacing and dermal fillers injections all on the same day and at the same time. The only drawback is that it will most definitely prolong the time it would take you to recover. The advantage, however, is that you will get to do many things all during one surgery.

3. Can I use creams to treat puffy eyes?

Regardless of how expensive or exclusive a cream may be, none has been able to address the issue of puffy eyes. Although there are hundreds of creams on the shelf with each of them claiming to be able to perform magic and make puffy eyes disappears, so far none has been able to address the underlying cause of puffy eyes.
As people age, muscles weaken, same as the muscles below the eyes. As these muscles weaken, fat pads which were initially hidden behind these muscles begin to push against these weakened muscles. Eyelid surgery is the only procedure that is known to be able to tackle puffy eyes, right from its underlying cause.

4. Eyelid lift or Botox brow lift; which should I get?

Surgery may not be necessary if the Botox brow lift is able to pull up any excess upper eyelid skin. For proper direction, it is advised you discuss the issue with your surgeon during consultation.

5. Will my wrinkles be handled by the procedure?

No, blepharoplasty cannot eliminate crow’s feet wrinkles nor can it be relied upon to handle the horizontal creases that come as a result of a sagging brow. Botox injections, Pulsed light treatment and Laser resurfacing are some of the popular and effective procedures that can handle such issues. These, however, can work in tandem with eyelid lift surgery.

6. How long does the procedure take?

There is no definite duration for the eyelid operation. It is a unique procedure that is dependent on patient’s anatomy and goals. But typically, it takes about 1 hour for the average upper blepharoplasty to be completed.

7. How long will the results last?

Upper eyelid surgery is known to last for a very long time, while the lower eyelids are hardly ever touched after the surgery. In cases where you decide to improve your upper eyelids surgically, please discuss your expectations with your doctor prior to surgery to make sure the results look natural. To prolong the results, it is important to make healthy lifestyle choices.

8. How safe is the procedure?

Eyelid surgery is very safe, particularly when it is handled by an experienced board certified surgeon. Just like for every surgery, there is always a risk involved, but complications with eyelid surgery are very rare. Dr. Sheffield uses local, rather than general anesthesia, for the upper eyelid procedure which will substantially reduce the risk.

9. Is the procedure painful?

The procedure has been described by many who have undergone it as painless. Of course, there will be a certain level tightness or burning around the eye, accompanied by a mild discomfort. But all of these will generally be present for a few days or. In situations where the pain becomes to great, pain relievers can be taken as prescribed.

10. Will the surgery cause bruising?

Due to the fragility and sensitivity of the skin around the eye, upper blepharoplasty bruising and swelling are common experiences that patients complain of. The extent of the upper blepharoplasty bruising and swelling is dependent on the individual, but it is quite possible to hide all these discolorations through the use of makeup.

11. Will the procedure leave a scar?

If the incisions were made on the upper eyelid, then it can be carefully hidden by the crease in the lid. If the incision is on the lower eyelid but via the inside layer of the eyelids, then there will be no scars at all.

12. How long after surgery before my eyelids look normal again?

Bruising and swelling should be expected to fade completely 6 weeks or more after the surgery. The redness on the upper lid caused by the incision will last much longer. Some of the side effects of the healing process such as bumps that form under the lip incision will resolve themselves after a few months.