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| Blepharoplasty
(Eyelid Surgery) |
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The operation
of aesthetic or cosmetic eyelid
surgery is designed to improve
puffiness on upper and lower
eyelids and drooping of the
skin of the upper eyelids.
This operation also improves
wrinkles around the eyes slightly
which can be further improved
by laser resurfacing. |
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| Who
is a Good Candidate? |
| Anyone
who has any one or combination of the following: |
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Drooping
of the skin of the upper eyelids. |
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Puffiness
on upper and lower eyelids. |
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Circles
around the eyes can be caused by
pigmentation changes in the skin
and may be improved by bleaching
solutions or chemical peel. It can
also be illusional due to excess
puffiness, which can be improved
with this operation. |
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Occasionally
sagging of the eyebrows can exaggerate
the saggy upper eyelids. In this
situation, a brow lift is recommended.
(See Brow Lift or Forehead Lift
Procedure) |
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| Private
Consultation: |
During
your initial consultation you will discuss
with your plastic surgeon your past and
present medical conditions and current
medications used. He should be made aware
if you have hypertension, thyroid problems
and diabetes. It is of utmost importance
for the surgeon to know if you have a
condition called "dry eyes"
so he can prevent complications with use
of artificial tear drops or eye creams.
You should reveal any past surgeries,
personal habits, such as smoking and drinking
or if you have any allergies to medications.
A physical examination will be performed
and preoperative photographs will be taken.
You may be shown before and after photographs.
Lab tests, x-rays or EKG may be ordered
depending on your general health. At the
conclusion of your consultation and physical
examination, the fees will be discussed
with you by the doctor and his staff.
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| Preparation: |
Stop
all non-prescriptive medication, diet
pills, herbs, and garlic two weeks before
surgery.
It is advisable to stop smoking two
weeks prior to and two weeks following
surgery. Do not drink any alcoholic
beverage two days prior to and one week
following surgery.
Avoid taking aspirin
and aspirin
containing products such as Advil and
avoid garlic and garlic products two
weeks prior to surgery. These products
can prolong bleeding and increase bruising.
Tylenol may be taken during this period.
For a period of two days before surgery
you wash your face, neck, chest, scalp
and hair for 15 minutes twice a day
with Betadine soap. An additional wash
should be done right before the surgery.
No skin product should be used two days
prior to the surgery. Do not eat or
drink anything after midnight before
surgery. You may, however, take prescriptive
medication with a small amount of water
and brush your teeth the morning of
surgery. Wear a loose fitting shirt
that does not pull over your head to
the surgical suite. Loose sweats are
recommended as you will be in a compression
garment after surgery and they may be
difficult to get on. Do not wear jewelry
or bring valuables.
Please plan to have someone bring you
to and take you home from the surgical
facility and stay with you the first
24 hours. Notify the office staff of
this person's name and his or her telephone
number prior to surgery.
Have all prescriptions filled a few
days before surgery, so it will be available
for you when you arrive home from surgery.
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| The
Procedure: |
The
operation can be performed under local
anesthesia with conscious sedation or
under general anesthesia as an outpatient.
On the upper eyelid, the incision is placed
over the natural folds so that it would
be least noticeable. The incision on the
lower eyelid can be placed below the lash
line or placed inside the lower eyelid
without any noticeable scar. Inside incisions
are made when no skin excision is necessary
and only puffiness is the problem. Laser
resurfacing cannot be performed on the
eyelids and around the eyes at the same
time, since it would increase the risks
of the operation. Lasering of lower eyelids
can be done to improve the wrinkles when
inside incisions are used. The procedure
takes approximately 90 minutes performing
the upper and lower eyelids together.
The result of this surgery
is long lasting. It can be affected
by lifestyle and genetics. Removal of
fat is almost permanent, but excess
skin may recur after a while, depending
on lifestyle and individual hereditary
skin conditions.
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| Postoperative
Care: |
Rest with your head
elevated on two or more pillows the evening
after surgery.
It is of utmost importance to lubricate
the globes of the eyes with lubricants
such as Lacrilube before sleeping. There
will be sutures and tape on the eyelid.
You may notice some bleeding or oozing
from the surgical site, this is normal.
A slight fever is normal during the
first few days following surgery. You
will have an appointment to have the
sutures removed in three to seven days.
Use of ice packs is optional, but not
necessary.
You are encouraged to call the office
if you have any questions.
Social activity can be resumed in approximately
one week or so when the swelling and
black and blue are mostly gone. You
may return to work after one week. Traveling
is allowed after two or three weeks.
Driving is allowed after 3 or 4 days
providing you do not use Lacrilube before
driving, which may cause temporary blurred
vision.
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| Fees: |
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It
is customary that the fees for surgery
to be paid two weeks prior to surgery.
This assures that the patient is sincere
in his or her motivation. The fees include
the surgeon's fee, the facility charge,
which is private and fully accredited
with high tech equipment, and anesthesiologist
or certified nurse anesthetist, if general
anesthesia is used. Also included in the
fees are any laboratory tests performed
in the office, use of special equipment
such as laser, etc. It is very rare that
insurance plans cover cosmetic surgery.
Please feel free to ask the office staff
if you have any questions in that regard.
We
understand this is a very important decision
in your life and you would like to do
this for yourself. In your private consultation
with Dr. Zandi, who is a Board Certified
plastic surgeon, you may discuss your
needs and also obtain additional information.
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