Eyebag Removal (Blepharoplasty)

Posted: March 02, 2008

Truly, the eyes can make or break one's face. Youthful-looking eyes connote beauty and radiance. But as we age (aggravated by stress and other factors), the skin around the eyes gradually develop droopy upper lids and puffy bags, making us look older and not to mention more tired than we feel.

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, Eye bag removal is for you. Also known as Blepharoplasty, this surgical technique removes excess skin, surplus fatty tissue and muscle in the upper and lower lids to eliminate baggy under-eye pouches, reduce the hooded appearance and tighten the lower eyelid skin. It can also create an upper eyelid fold to westernize slit eyes.

“It's a misnomer that blepharoplasty can dramatically lift sagging eyebrows, eliminate dark under-eye circles or remove crow's feet or wrinkles around the eyes. The final result of the surgery can resolve wrinkled skin on the upper and lower eyelids by tightening and smoothing the lids making your eyes appear look younger and rejuvenated, and in some cases it can also improve one's vision problems” Dr. Firmalino stressed.

Consultation
Before you go ahead with the surgery, Dr. Firmalino will initially evaluate your suitability for eyelid surgery. To do this, he will assess the position of your eyebrows, the amount of excess fat and skin in your eyelid areas, and the condition of the muscles around your eyelids, as well as your eyesight and tear production. If you are qualified, he will discuss to you in detail the procedure including its likely outcomes, risks and complications, the type of anaesthesia he will use. He will also give you instructions on how to prepare for your surgery, among others.

Procedure
Dr. Firmalino utilizes the traditional method for the upper and/or lower eyelid surgery.

For the upper eyelid, small incision is made in the natural crease line of your eyes just 1 cm above the eyelashes, which might extend into the laughter lines at the outer corners of your eyes. Working through the incisions, he will separate the skin from the subcutaneous layers and then remove the excess fat and cut the sagging muscle and skin. Finally, the incisions will be closed with very fine sutures.

For the lower eyelid, small incision is made to the skin and muscle just one millimetre just below the eyelash, then the excess skin is removed. Finally the incision is closed with very fine sutures.

After the operation, to reduce inflammation and discomfort, the surgeon will apply an opthalmic cream along with a dressing soaked in a cold saline solution. 

Both procedure can be performed separately or at the same, and usually takes 45 minutes to an our per eyelid surgery. It is usually done in the clinic under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, on an outpatient basis, which may or may not require overnight stay.

Post Surgery
On the first night after your surgery, expect swelling, bruising, pain and some numbness on the operated area. It is important that you take the medications prescribe to you, to alleviate whatever discomfort you feel as well as to avoid further complications. You will be advised to sleep on your back during the first few days after the surgery to prevent the appearance of swelling on one side of the operated lids. You will feel tired and sleepy specifically during the first 3 days after the surgery you will be asked to return to the clinic after 4 to 7 days for the removal of stitches and follow up check up.

Post Surgery Recovery
You can go back to work and resume light activities after 7 days following your surgery, but avoid strenuous activities like contact sports or exercise which can injure your face for at least 2-3 weeks. Varying degrees of bruising and swelling will gradually disappear within 7 to 10 days. You can wear make up to conceal any discoloration within the first week, and you will be instructed to wear bigger sunglasses to within 4 to 5 days, specially when going outdoors as your eyes may be very sensitive at this time. 

As the healing progresses, the pink scars along the margin of the lower lash and socket line to the upper lid will fade to faint white lines and soon will appear less visible. Final outcome can be seen in 6 to 8 weeks. 

Possible risks and complications
May include infection on the incision site, scarring, but these can be reduced and/or avoided if you follow Dr. Firmalino's instructions closely before and after surgery.

Other cosmetic procedures that can enhance results of Blepharoplasty are Facelift, Lip Reduction or Augmentation, Dimple creation, Cleft chin creation, Botox injection.