EYELID SURGERY FAQS

Who is a good candidate? Any patient who has drooping eyelids and visible bags that create a tired look. Most patients are 35-60, however if baggy eyelids run in your family, then you may consider surgery at a younger age. Most patients will enjoy a more alert look after surgery. However patients suffering from eye conditions (dry eye, detached retina, glaucoma) should consult their opthalmologist prior to surgery. Certain medical conditions could also affect the surgery. Be sure to mention to Dr Wilkinson if you suffer from any of the following conditions hypothyroidism and Graves disease, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

How will I be assessed by my surgeon for the suitability of my eyelids for a blepharoplasty? Dr. Wilkinson will examine your eyelids for a loss of deeper soft tissue, skin excess/laxity and asses the tightness of the underlying muscles. Be frank when discussing your expectations. Dr Wilkinson will describe the different options available and the risks and limitations of each. You will need to decide whether to do all four eyelids or just the upper or lower lids separately. You should also provide her with any information from your opthalmologist or a record of recent eye examinations.

What can I do to prepare myself for surgery? Dr. Wilkinson will advise you stop smoking well in advance of surgery if you are a smoker (smoking decreases blood flow to the skin and can therefore affect the healing process). You will also be advised to avoid certain medications which can increase bleeding prior to surgery. Clinic staff will provide you with any additional pre-op instructions specific for your case. Enjoying a healthy eating and exercise regime before and after surgery will result in optimum results!

How is a eyelid tuck performed? Your surgery will be performed at the Renaissance Surgical Clinic. Most patients are admitted as day cases. Blepharoplasty is performed under a conscious sedation, which will make you feel drowsy and relaxed, however you'll sleep through the entire operation and not be aware of the procedure. The advantage is that you will wake up feeling refreshed without the side effects of a general anaesthesia. Occasionally I may use a general anaesthesia, In all cases a certified anaesthetist will be responsible for your wellbeing.

The procedure lasts for one or two hours. In a typical procedure, Dr Wilkinson makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids. The incisions may extend into the crow's feet or laugh lines at the outer comers of your eyes. Working through these incisions, she separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims sagging skin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.

If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but don't need to have any skin removed, she may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty .In this procedure the incision is made inside your lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.

After surgery, Dr Wilkinson will lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply surgical tapes. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off, but you can control any discomfort with the pain medication. If you feel any severe pain, call the clinic immediately.

Dr Wilkinson will instruct you to keep your head elevated for several days, and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. (Bruising varies from person to person: it reaches its peak during the first week, and generally lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month.) You'll be shown how to clean your eyes, which may be gummy for a week or so. Many doctors recommend eyedrops, since your eyelids may feel dry at first and your eyes may burn or itch. For the first few weeks you may also experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in your eyesight, such as blurring or double vision.

Dr Wilkinson will follow your progress very closely for the first week or two. The stitches will be removed in between five or seven days after surgery. Once they're out, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside, and you'll start to look and feel much better.

How long will the effect last? Your new refreshed look should last for years. For most patients a blepharoplasty yields permanent results. However after many years of aging, recurring loose skin could become visible and the sagging brows may cause the recurrence of a tired appearance.

What can go wrong? When eyelid surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including infection, bleeding or a reaction to the anesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following instructions both before and after surgery.

The minor complications that occasionally follow blepharoplasty include double or blurred vision for a few days; temporary swelling at the corner of the eyelids, persistent discolouration (bruising) and a slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out, but they can be removed easily with a very fine needle.

Following surgery, some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep; in rare cases this condition may be permanent. Another very rare complication is ectropion, a pulling down of the lower lids. In this case, further surgery may be required. Blindness has occurred following blepharoplasty. This is extremely rare.