Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure to remove excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids along with removing or repositioning excess fat. Most patients are interested in correcting puffiness of the eyelids and excess skin of both the upper and the lower eyelids.
Oftentimes patients complain that they appear more tired than they feel. Sometimes fat is repositioned from the lower eyelid into the deep tear troughs or the deep depressions that exist at the bottom of the lower eyelids. The incisions are easily hidden below the eyelashes of the lower eyelids and sometimes performed with no incision on the lower eyelid whatsoever, called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty.
The upper eyelid incision is hidden very well back within the deep crease that is seen when the eye is shut, but retracts back when the eyelid is open. Many times eyelid surgery is performed at the same time as a face lift or a brow lift.
Facelift is a surgical procedure that eases signs of aging by removing excess skin, tightening underlying muscles, and redraping the skin over the face and neck. Most face lift patients are interested in improving the deep lines present on their cheeks, the excess skin along the jaw line known as jowls, and the excess skin and sagging of their neck. Often prospective facelift patients complain they look much more tired than they feel and are looking for a natural youthful appearance.
Most patients do not want to look overdone or pulled. The key to looking natural after surgery is to tighten the underlying muscles of the face without much tension on the skin. The best facelifts do not distort the hairline behind the ears or sideburn in front of the ear. The earlobes should also be left in place without being pulled forward. The surgical incisions should be difficult to detect.
The surgery will evaluate your face, including the skin and underlying bone and discuss your goals for the surgery. The surgeon will check for medical problem such as high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive sears.
You will be asked to stop smoking for few weeks before and after the surgery as it inhibits blood flow to skin and healing process. You will be asked to stop talking aspirins it effects clotting. It your hair is to short, you can let it grow long before surgery, so that it is long enough to hide the sears while they heal.
A face lift is usually done on an out patient basis, but some surgeons may hospitalize the patient for a day when using general anesthesia. Most face lifts are performed under local anesthesia combined with a sedative to make you drowsy. You will be awake but relaxed and insensitive to pain.
Surgery:
A face lift surgery usually takes several hours. Every surgeon performs the procedure in his or her own way. Some complete one side of the face at a time and other move back and forth between the sides. The incisions are started above the hair line at the temples, extend in the natural line in front of the ear, and continue behind the ear lobe to the lower scalp. A small incision is made under the chin, if the neck needs work.
The surgeon separates the skin from the fat and muscle below. Fat is either trimmed or suctioned from around the neck and chin to improve contour. Then the underlying muscle and membrane is tightened the skin is pulled back and excess skin is removed.
Stitches secure the layers of tissue and close the incisions. Metal clips may be used on the scalp. After the surgery a drain tube is placed under the skin behind the ear to drain any blood that might collect there. The head may be loosely wrapped in bandages to minimize bruising ans swelling.
Post operative procedure:
Is there is any discomfort it can be minimized with pain medication. Numbness of the skin is quite normal and will disappear in a month. To keep the swelling down head should be kept elevated and still for a couple of days. Drain tube and bandages will be removed after one to five days.
Your face may appear bruised and puffy but in a few weeks you will look normal. Stitches will be removed after five days. Scalp will take longer to heal. Patients are back to work at about ten days after surgery. But the third week you will look and feel much better.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Gerut Facelift
By: Gayle | 24-08-2008
I am a 65 year old female who was considering getting a "Dr. Gerut facelift"....Any information on this doctor and this procedure? I am an anxious person and I am on a low dose blood pressure medication so I don't want to do "general anesthesia" and I am looking for a non-invasive facelift if there is such a thing...I keep seeing the Lifestyle Lift advertised but I went for a "consult" and wasn't impressed and the fact that you don't even see the surgeon who is doing your facelift didn't sit well with me...Any information on this? Thanks!
I had a permanent filler injected under my eyes to ...
By: maria | 25-07-2008
I had a permanent filler injected under my eyes to remove the hollow like appearance. The prodcut a silicone type substance. I now have huge bags under my eyes and a yellow discoloration. I look like I have an allergy or have been crying. HORRIBLE. I went to the surgeon who said he would perform eyelid surgery to remove it and improve appearance. I have consulted severla surgeons and have conflicting responses. Some say cant be removed others say eyelid surgery can help. I am 43. Should I consider surgery?
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What causes calcification on the eyelid?
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Fillers or fat injections for hollow eyes?
By: magne | 04-09-2007
I initially wanted to have my hollow eyes filled with Restylane, or any other type of compatable filler. However, I found a surgeon that recommmnded to inject fat (taken from my thighs) to replace volume in my slightly hollow appearing eyes. What are the side effects? Any risks with this procedure? How long will the results last? Are fillers not as good? Thanks in advance.
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