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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, 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 just before you come
in for surgery. No skin product should
be used two days prior to the surgery.
You use skin care products following
these washes, except the last wash before
surgery, when no skin care products
should be used. 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 on outpatient
basis. 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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