1. Face
2. Eyelid Rejuvenation

Eyelid Rejuvenation (Blepharoplasty)

 

What is Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?

 

Blepharoplasties are surgical procedures that improve the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids. Sometimes upper blepharoplasties are performed to improve vision or relieve other functional symptoms.

As individuals age their skin and structural tissues of the face gradually lose tone, at the same time the underlying bone and fat of the face lose volume. In combination these changes create an aged appearance. 

Typical aged eyelid changes include:

• Excess skin in upper eyelid creating a tired appearance
• Bags under the eyes
• Fullness or puffiness in the eylids from fatty deposits causing unnatutal contours
• Drooping lower eyelids with excess skin and creases

Eyelid aging is the result of a number of factors, such as family genetics, smoking, sun damage, stress and individual physical characteristics.

There are a number of surgical options can be offered depending on individual characteristics, such as:

• Upper blepahroplasty
• Lower blepharoplasty
• Upper and lower blepharoplasty
• Mid cheek lift
• Revisional or secondary surgery following earlier eyelid surgery
• Adding in other procedures eg fat grafting, brow lift, facelift, neck lift

 

 

Am I A Blepharoplasty Candidate?

 

Individuals are good candidates for surgery if they are healthy non-smokers and do not have conditions or take medicines that may impair healing. Individuals need to have realistic expectations and understand that blepharoplasties will rejuvenate their appearance but will not change their personal look. They will also be aware that aging is an ongoing process and their rejuvenated post-surgical appearance will change with time.

 

 

What is the Blepahroplasty Process?

 

To start, at your pre surgical consultation you will meet Chris Porter and together discuss your personal goals, medical health and previous treatments, surgery and anaesthesia. A list of your current medications is required but you do not need a referral from your family doctor. Your facial characteristics will be examined and explained to you. At the end of the consultation you will have discussed:

• surgical options and have a recommended treatment plan based on your goals and individual characteristics
• the local or general anaesthesia required to perform your surgery
• realistic surgical outcomes
• possible risks or complications of the surgery or anaesthesia
• cost of the surgery and possible surgery dates
• whether you can claim your surgery against your health insurance for functional symptoms, health insurance cannot be claimed for cosmetic changes alone
• any questions that you wish to ask

You will also have the opportunity to satisfy any nervousness or personal concerns, you should be comfortable discussing your feelings during the consultation. Remember, your individual goals are specific to you but are also commonly experienced by other plastic surgery patients.

Upper blepharoplasty surgery is typically performed under local anaesthesia and tolerated without the need for sedation as a rooms based procedure. This creates an easier pre- and post-surgery recovery for patients and in addition reduces the overall cost of the procedure.

Lower blepharoplasty surgery usually requires general anaesthesia as a hospital based procedure as it is not tolerated well under local anaesthesia alone.

On the day of surgery you will be admitted to the rooms or hospital depending on your anaesthetic requirements. If you need to be admitted to hospital for a general anaesthetic you will be assessed by the Anaesthetist who may administer medication to settle any pre-surgical nervousness. Chris Porter will perform pre-surgical markings and take photographs for your personal file. Following this, you will be transferred to the operating room where you will meet the surgical team and then your anaesthetic will be started. While you are under the anaesthetic your surgery will be performed and you will be given pain relief medication so you are comfortable following the anaesthetic. If you have had local anaesthetic surgery at the rooms you will be able to leave following the completion of your surgery, however you will need to have someone drive you home. If you have had general anaesthetic surgery, after completion of your surgery and anaesthetic you will be transferred to the ward where the nurses will keep you comfortable and guide your recovery. Typically you will have a one day hospital stay and on discharge you will be provided with pain relief medication. In both situations you will be provided with instructions to optimise your recovery as well as post-operative appointments.

 

 

What is Blepharoplasty Recovery Like?

 

You will have some post-surgical bruising, swelling and discomfort which will subside towards the end of the first week. Following discharge from hospital you should not drive or return to work during the first week after surgery. During this time you need to rest at home with your head elevated to minimise swelling, bruising and as well as optimising your wound healing. Your dressings are sufficiently waterproof to allow showering from the first day after your surgery. You will be able to gently wash your hair and face at this stage. Your stitches will be removed at your first follow up appointment about one week after surgery. General activity is limited to gentle walking for the first four weeks.