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Surgery to remove excess skin for the eyelid can enhance one’s appearance and comfort; however, for many people, the idea of having any kind of eye surgery is frightening. At the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery we understand, and that is why we are with you through each step of the process. We’ll outline your options, show you pictures of other people who had the same kind of surgery, and explain exactly what you can expect, from beginning to end.

What is eyelid surgery?
Who should have eyelid surgery?
How is a eyelid surgery done?
What results can you expect with eyelid surgery?
How can you prepare for your eyelid surgery?
What can you expect when you are healing?
How long will results last?
What are the possible limitations and risks?
Are there other procedures that can be done along with eyelid surgery?
Will insurance pay for the procedure?
Next steps …

WHAT IS EYELID SURGERY?
Eyelid surgery—the medical term is blepharoplasty—is a procedure that will remove excessive fat, sagging skin or wrinkled skin from your upper and/or your lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery will enhance your appearance, making you look more youthful and healthy.

Keep in mind:

Eyelid surgery will not remove wrinkles at the corner of your eye (“crows’ feet) or other wrinkling around the eye.

This procedure can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, but it will not eliminate ethnic or racial genetic characteristics.

WHO SHOULD HAVE EYELID SURGERY?
You may be a good candidate if your eyes have one or more of the following characteristics:

Puffy areas or “bags” under the eye, making you look old, tired or ill
Excessive skin or sagging on your upper eyelid that detracts from your appearance or interferes with your vision
Loss of your natural upper eyelid crease

Candidates for this procedure should be in good general health.

Maintain reasonable expectations for this procedure. Although eyelid surgery will minimize or reduce your eyelid problems, it will not dramatically change your appearance.

HOW IS EYELID SURGERY DONE?
The operation is done at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery on an outpatient basis. The entire procedure takes 1-3 hours, depending on the extent of the area treated.

If you receive local anesthesia, you will be awake and aware of what is going on during the surgery. You may feel a little tugging around your eyes during the procedure. Dr. Sinno can also use a general anesthesia for eyelid surgery so that you can be asleep throughout the procedure.

Incisions are made where the natural crease of your eye should be in the upper lids and below the lash line of your lower lids, as shown to the right. Then, Dr. Sinno removes the excess fat and skin. Most patients are candidates for the “transconjunctival” lower eyelid blepharoplasty, where the lower incision is made on the inside of the eyelid, therefore avoiding any scar in the skin. The lower eyelid skin is then "tightened" by laser re-surfacing.

WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT FROM EYELID SURGERY?
Once the procedure and the healing process are completed, you will appear more youthful and have a more rested, healthier and alert appearance. If sagging skin was blocking your vision, you will now have a widened field of vision. Wrinkle lines around your eyes may be softened, but they will not be removed or erased.

HOW YOU CAN PREPARE FOR YOUR EYELID SURGERY?
You will have a comprehensive consultation with the staff at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery. This includes:

Discussion of your goals and expectations
Examination of your eyes, including a vision test and evaluation of tear production
Review of your eyelid surgery options
Outline of how the surgery is done and what to expect afterward

Be ready to provide the following information:

Current medical records from your eye doctor
Any contact lenses or glasses you use
Complete medical history

The best way to prepare your body for any surgical procedure is to make healthy lifestyle choices in the weeks beforehand. If you prepare your body for surgery, your “back-to-normal time” is often reduced.

Exercise regularly.
Get adequate sleep.
Eat right.
Take vitamin supplements.
Reduce stress.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT WHEN YOU ARE HEALING?

Pain, swelling, bruising
Your eyelids will feel tight or sore as the anesthesia wears off. Pain medication will help you control this discomfort. Your eyes also will appear bruised. The amount and extent of bruising varies among patients, and usually reaches its peak during the first week after surgery. The discoloration disappears around 2 weeks after the procedure.

Dressings and compresses
Dr. Sinno will lubricate your eyes with ointment after the surgery. You will need to keep your head elevated for several days afterwards. Use cold compresses to help reduce swelling and bruising.

The stitches are usually the absorbable kind, and will last about 1 week.

Bleeding
If you have bleeding from one of the incisions, it will usually stop if you apply a little pressure. Hold a pad or sponge on the spot for 10-20 minutes. You can clean off any dried or clotted blood around the stitches with soap and water, or diluted peroxide.

Cleaning your eyes
After surgery, you eyes likely will feel sticky or itchy and burning. Your eyelids also may feel dry. The staff at Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery will show you how to care for your eyes after surgery.

Numbness
You may have some numbness along your lash line. This is normal and will disappear shortly.

Scars
Healing takes time. Your scars may look slightly pink for 6 months, sometimes longer. Eventually they will fade to a nearly invisible white line. Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out and they can be easily removed. They cause no scarring.

Back to your normal routine
Your eyes will need to time to heal and adjust after the procedure. In general, your can expect to do the following:

Watch TV or read 2-3 days after surgery.
Wear contact lenses after 2–3 weeks.
Keep regular activities to a minimum for the first 3-5 days
Avoid any activity that will raise your blood pressure (bending, lifting, sports, sex)
Do not drink alcohol the for 3-5 days to minimize fluid retention
Do not try any strenuous activity for at least 3 weeks
Return to work within 5-10 days.
Wear make up around the eyes after 5-10 days.

Protecting your eyes
Your eyes are sensitive to sunlight, wind or other airborne irritants for a while. Wear sunglasses, along with a special eyelid sun block, when you go out.

Diet and Nutrition
Good diet and nutrition will help your body heal better, and faster, after a surgical procedure.

Drink plenty of water or clear fluids; up to 64 ounces a day is recommended
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables with every meal
Eat small amounts of protein with every meal
Eat every 4-5 hours; do not wait longer to eat
Eat more frequent meals, with fewer calories per meal
Eat breakfast within an hour after you get up
Use vitamin supplements, especially antioxidants, to promote healing and renew energy

HOW LONG WILL RESULTS LAST?
For many people, results of eyelid surgery are permanent.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE LIMITATIONS AND RISKS?
All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for you can only be determined during your comprehensive consultation with Dr. Sinno prior to performing the procedure.

You can reduce chance of risk by closely following instructions before and after the procedure that are provided by Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery.

Vision changes
It’s normal to experience blurry or double vision for a few days after the procedure.

Sagging
The nerves of the lower eyelid may be temporarily affected by the surgery, causing sagging of the margin of the eyelid. This usually corrects itself within a few days or weeks. Upward massage and support of the eyelid itself with tape can help. Few patients require any additional surgery.

Closing your eyes
After surgery some people have a little trouble closing their eyes to sleep for a few days. In very rare cases, this condition may be severe and will require additional surgery.

ARE THERE OTHER PROCEDURES THAT COULD BE DONE ALONG WITH EYELID SURGERY?

You may want to consider additional plastic surgery procedures to enhance the results of your eyelid surgery. These might include one or more of the following:

WILL INSURANCE PAY FOR THE PROCEDURE?
Your insurance may cover surgery to correct severe eyelid problems, which interfere with your vision. Otherwise, the procedure is considered cosmetic and you are responsible for payment.

NEXT STEPS . . .
Wondering whether eyelid surgery is for you? Contact us for more details. We can set up a consultation with Dr. Sinno for a comprehensive evaluation and a personalized recommendation of the best procedures for you.