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Eyelid lift plastic surgery
To get answers to the most frequent questions about eyelids plastic
surgery (blepharoplasty), please select one of the links below:
What is a blepharoplasty?
A blepharoplasty (or eyelid lift) is an operation on either the
upper or the lower eyelids designed to remove excess skin and
fat. It is one of the most common operations performed by plastic
surgeons.
In the upper eyelid a blepharoplasty is designed primarily to
improve the aged, tired appearance caused by the redundant fold
of skin that descends over the eyelid with age.
In the lower eyelid a blepharoplasty tightens the skin and muscle
and removes the excess fat or "bag."
- View photos of eyelift plastic
surgery - Patient #1.
- View photos of eyelift plastic
surgery - Patient #2.
- View photos of eyelift plastic
surgery - Patient #3.
- View photos of eyelift plastic surgery - Patient #4.
Where is the eyelid lift surgery performed?
Dr. O'Connell performs most blepharoplasties in his office surgical
facility.
What type of anesthesia is used?
Dr. O'Connell performs most upper lid blepharoplasties under only local anesthesia and in 2005 he appeared on the CBS Early Show performing this procedure.
Dr. O'Connell performs most lower lid blepharoplasties under local anesthesia
alone or local anesthesia with monitored intravenous sedation.
What is a fat sparing blepharoplasty?
Recently emphasis has been placed upon the importance of more
conservative fat removal to prevent a sunken or unnatural appearance
postoperatively. In some fat sparing techniques, emphasis is on
the repositioning rather than removal of periorbital fat.
Dr. O'Connell believes that all blepharoplasties should be fat
sparing in nature to prevent a malnourished, harsh appearance
postoperatively -- this is in keeping with his philosophy
that "less is more" and that all aesthetic surgery should be conservative
in nature.
What is a transconjunctival blepharoplasty?
In this operation the fat of the lower eyelids is removed through
an incision on the inside of the eyelid, without need
for an external incision. It offers many advantages over the traditional
approach where an external incision is used for access to the
"bag" but is limited by its ability to tighten skin and reduce
wrinkling.
In early 2000 Dr. O'Connell published an article on combining
the transconjuntival technique with Erbium laser resurfacing and his article on eyelid rejuvenation with the Derma-K laser was published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology in 2002.
By combining the transconjuctival approach with laser techniques,
wrinkling and loose skin can be addressed and many of the pitfalls
of the traditional approach to blepharoplasty can be avoided.
What is a pinch excision?
A pinch excision is a less invasive means of removing excess skin from the lower eyelid that carries less risk of complications. Dr. O'Connell frequently utilizes this technique.
Are there scars from a blepharoplasty?
All surgery leaves scars. Plastic surgeons are trained to close
incisions in a way as to make the scars as inconspicuous as possible.
Some scars eventually become a faintly visible fine line.
Scars from blepharoplasty are in most cases quite acceptable
as they are usually placed within or near normal creases and folds of
the upper and lower eyelids. As with all surgery, the type of
procedure and the individual person's healing ability play a large
role in the scar that ultimately occurs.
Will the fine wrinkling around my eyes
(crows feet) go away and what about the dark circles under my
eyes?
A blepharoplasty will not eradicate the wrinkles around the eyes
(crows feet) and these are usually best treated by other means
such as laser resurfacing or Botox™. By combining laser resurfacing
with blepharoplasty, Dr. O'Connell is able to achieve a more complete
rejuvenation of the periorbital area (the area around the eye
and eyelids) which he believes should be the goal of eyelid surgery.
Dark circles under the eyes may improve if they are related to
large bags but a blepharoplasty will usually not improve the dark
pigmentation of lower eyelid skin. Droopy eyebrows are also not
corrected by a blepharoplasty.
What about laser blepharoplasty?
Dr. O'Connell usually does not use a laser as a substitute for
a scalpel when performing a blepharoplasty. He does however combine
laser resurfacing with
blepharoplasty in order to minimize scarring and correct fine
wrinkling.
Are there risks with eyelid lift plastic
surgery?
Complications are usually infrequent and minor when blepharoplasty
is performed by a board certified plastic surgeon. Patients with some
medical conditions such as thyroid disease, hypertension and patients
with dry eyes have an increased risk following blepharoplasty.
All patients experience some bruising and swelling for several
days after surgery. A careful consideration of all risks, alternatives and potential benefits is an important part of the pre-operative consultative process.
To contact Connecticut plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph B. O'Connell about any cosmetic surgery procedures, please fill out
our contact form or call us at (203)
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Plastic Surgery of Southern Connecticut
208 Post Road West • Westport, CT 06680
Phone: 203-454-0044 • Email: jbomd@aol.com
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