D.J. Verret, MD

Blepharoplasty Primer

Ever wondered what is a blepharoplasty? This primer covers the basic essentials of blepharoplasty surgery.

Eyes are a prominent facial feature. It is the surrounding skin, rather than the eyes themselves, that conveys emotion. The tissue, muscle, fat, hair and lashes all contribute to the wide array of expressions. Age, sun exposure and hereditary factors all contribute to wrinkles, deep lines and puffiness around the eyes.

The aging process can cause unwanted changes in expression, causing us to look permanently fatigued and older than we really are. These changes in appearance can cause emotional distress and sometimes even visual impairment. An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty in Dallas, is designed to restore a more youthful appearance to your eyes. It may involve the upper lids, the lower lids, or both.

Traditional Technique

Traditional Blepharoplasty: An incision is made in the crease of the upper lid toward the temples. Once healed, it is not noticeable when the eye is open. On the lower lid, the incision is made along the lash line toward the temples, and is hidden by lashes when healed.

The Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty Approach

This is a newer technique for lower lid blepharoplasty, involving an incision inside the lower lid. Fat can be removed or relocated through this incision, but excess skin cannot be eliminated.

Laser resurfacing of the eyelids is a non-surgical alternative that may delay the need for a surgical blepharoplasty. It results in significant tightening of the skin around the eyes, but will not effect the fat around the eyes and may even accentuate it.

The Procedure

The procedure can be performed completely using only local anesthesia. For patient comfort, intravenous anesthesia is often used but general anesthesia with a  breathing tube is generally not needed.

Recovery

Recovery after blepharoplasty generally takes about a week. Patients can return to most normal activities in a day or two but bruising and swelling may cause the eyes to swell shut and may some activities difficult. As always, you must consult with a  qualified and experienced physician who can counsel you on when return to activities is warranted.

You don’t need a Beverly Hills blepharoplasty to get excellent results. Finding a qualified facial plastic surgeon can mean looking around the corner. For a Texas blepharoplasty, visit Dr. Verret for a blepharoplasty in Plano, TX or on the web at http://innovationsfps.com.

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