Eyelid Surgery FAQ

	Enhancing your appearance with eyelid surgery What to expect during your consultation Preparing for surgery Procedural Steps Important facts about the safety and risks of eyelid surgery My recovery The results will be long-lasting Words to know
	Also known as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery improves the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, and gives a rejuvenated appearance to the surrounding area of your eyes, making you look more rested and alert.
	Enhancing your appearance with eyelid surgery
	Cosmetic eyelid surgery, called blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, and give a rejuvenated appearance to the surrounding area of your eyes, making you look more rested and alert. Specifically, eyelid surgery can treat: Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the upper eyelids Bags under the eyes Droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye) Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid
	Is it right for me?
	Eyelid surgery is usually performed on adult men and women who have healthy facial tissue and muscles and have realistic goals for improvement of the upper and/or lower eyelids and surrounding area. You should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image. Good candidates are: Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing Non-smokers Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for blepharoplasty Individuals without serious eye conditions
	You must tell Dr. Vartany if you have any of these medical conditions:
	Eye disease such as glaucoma, dry eye or a detached retina Thyroid disorders such as Graves’ disease and under or overactive thyroid Cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders or diabetes
	What to expect during your consultation
	The success and safety of your eyelid surgery procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. Dr. Vartany will ask you a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.  He will also shoe you before and after pictures of eyelid surgeries that he has performed.
	Be prepared to discuss:
	Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome Medical conditions, drug allergies and previous medical treatments Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs Previous surgeries
	Dr. Vartany will also:
	Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors Take photographs for your medical record Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment Discuss likely outcomes of eyelid surgery and any risks or potential complications Discuss the type of anesthesia that will be used
	Preparing for surgery
	Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:
	Get lab testing or a medical evaluation Take certain medications or adjust your current medications Stop smoking well in advance of surgery Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding
	Special instructions you receive will cover:
	What to do on the night before and the morning of surgery The use of anesthesia during your procedure Post-operative care and follow-up Dr. Vartany will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Blepharoplasty may be performed in an outpatient or ambulatory surgical center, the office or a hospital.
	Procedural Steps:
	What happens during eyelid surgery?
	Step 1 - Anesthesia
	Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Vartany will recommend the best choice for you.
	Step 2 – The incisions
	The incision lines for eyelid surgery are designed for scars to be well concealed within the natural structures of the eyelid region. Droopy conditions of the upper eyelid can be corrected through an incision within the natural crease of the upper eyelid allowing repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles and tissue, and/or removal of excess skin. Conditions of the lower eyelid may be corrected with an incision just below the lower lash line. Through this incision, excess skin in the lower eyelids is removed. A transconjunctival incision, one hidden inside the lower eyelid, is an alternate technique to correct lower eyelid conditions and redistribute or remove excess fat.
	Step 3 –Closing the incisions
	Eyelid incisions typically are closed with sutures that are removed 3 to 5 days after the surgery.
	Step 4 – See the results
	The results of eyelid surgery will appear gradually as swelling and bruising subside to reveal a smooth, better-defined eyelid and surrounding region, and an alert and rejuvenated appearance.
	Important facts about the safety and risks of eyelid surgery
	The decision to have eyelid surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. Dr. Vartany will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.
	Possible risks of eyelid surgery include:
	Unfavorable scarring Temporarily blurred or impaired vision Dry eyes Difficulty closing your eyes Lid lag, a pulling down of the lower eyelid may occur and is often temporary Ectropion, rolling of the eyelid outwards Bleeding (hematoma) Poor wound healing Infection Fluid accumulation Blood clots Numbness and other changes in skin sensation Anesthesia risks Eyelid disorders that involve abnormal position of the upper eyelids (eyelid ptosis), loose eyelid skin, or abnormal laxness of the lower eyelid (ectropion) can coexist with sagging forehead and eyebrow structures; brow lift surgery will not correct these disorders; additional surgery may be required Pain, which may persist Skin discoloration and swelling Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications Possibility of revisional surgery Loss of eyesight
	When you go home
	If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or unusual heart beats, call Dr. Vartany immediately. Should any of these complications occur, you may require hospitalization and additional treatment. The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure. Another surgery may be necessary.
	My recovery
	After your procedure is completed, lubricating ointment, prescribed eye drops and cold compresses may be applied. Initial healing may include some swelling, bruising, irritation or dry eyes and discomfort that can be controlled with medication, cold compresses and ointment. Irritation at the incision sites also is possible.
	The results will be long-lasting
	Your final results will appear within several weeks, but it may take up to a year for incision lines to fully refine. While eyelid surgery can be expected to correct certain conditions permanently, you will continue to age naturally. Life-long sun protection will help to maintain your results.
	Words to know
	Blepharoplasty: Eyelid surgery to improve the appearance of upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. Ectropion: When the lower eyelid is rolled outward after eyelid surgery; often a temporary condition. General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness. Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin. Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax. Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain. Transconjunctival incision: Incision hidden inside the lower eyelid. Skin resurfacing: Treatment to improve the texture, clarity and overall appearance of your skin. Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together.
	Excerpted from the ASPS/ASAPS Patient Education Brochures