INTRODUCTION TO BAKERSFIELD EYELID SURGERY
Eye lift surgery, also known as blepharoplasty surgery, is a cosmetic procedure to reduce bags under the eyes, remove wrinkling and create a more youthful appearance. One of the first things people notice about you are your eyes. As we age, wrinkles, lines, puffiness in the lower lids and a drooping in the upper lid can make us look older than we feel. Some people are born with a droopy upper lid, making them appear tired all the time. Upper lid drooping can even affect one’s ability to see well. A blepharoplasty, which can be done only to the upper or lower lids, but most often is done to both lids, can accentuate the size and beauty of your eyes. Dr. Vip Dev is an accomplished plastic surgeon with great skill in eye lift surgery.
- Dark circles or bags under the eyes.
- Excessive skin or wrinkles surrounding the eyelids.
- A tired appearance or puffiness due to inherited factors.
GOOD CANDIDATES FOR BAKERSFIELD EYELIFT SURGERY
An adult over the age of 18 who is otherwise in good health and has reasonable expectations is likely to be a good candidate for eyelid surgery. Reasons for an eye lift include the following:
- Bags or dark circles underneath the eyes
- Extra skin and/or wrinkling surrounding the eyelids
- A tired appearance due to drooping upper lids as a result of aging
- Difficulty seeing and/or reading due to drooping upper lids
- Inherited puffy eyes or drooping of the lids
Eyelid surgery is generally elective and, therefore, not covered by health insurance unless upper lid drooping is so severe that it causes vision problems, which happens to some people. Dr. Dev will discuss all options with you in detail at your consultation in his plastic surgery office in Bakersfield. Eyelid surgery can be, and often is, part of other facial procedures, such as a forehead lift and/or face lift.
HOW BAKERSFIELD BLEPHAROPLASTY IS DONE
Blepharoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis at Dr. Dev’s Bakersfield plastic surgery office or in a state-of-the-art surgical unit while the patient is either asleep under general anesthesia or anesthetized with local anesthesia and sedation.
Once anesthesia is induced, tiny incisions are made in the natural crease of the upper lid to remove any fatty tissue and tighten loose skin. These are closed with sutures and, since they are in the crease of the lid, are almost invisible after healing. The lower eyelids are treated next in a similar manner, with the incision placed inside the lash line so as to be invisible. In some cases, laser technology can be used to smooth the lower eyelid area, as well as injecting Botox and/or dermal fillers to plump up the area beneath the eye if it has sunken during the aging process. For those with puffiness beneath the eyes (the opposite problem), excess fatty tissue will be removed to create a normal contour beneath the eye. Again, this will all have been discussed at your consultation.
Surgery typically lasts from 1 to 2 hours. You will need a friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure, as you will still be recovering from anesthesia and you may have difficulty seeing well enough to drive competently.
RECOVERY FROM BAKERSFIELD BLEPHAROPLASTY
Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement of the eye area in order to speed up the healing process and recovery time. You should avoid rubbing your eyes for the first week, and you may not be comfortable wearing contact lenses for a few days. Dr. Dev also recommends avoiding eye makeup for a few days to a week. Although some patients report minor pain associated with blepharoplasty, this discomfort can be treated effectively with over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol; some patients find that ice packs are also helpful, as this will not only minimize tenderness but decrease swelling as well. While complications are rare, you can minimize potential problems by carefully following the directions given by Dr. Dev after surgery. Specifically, please do not smoke during your recovery period, i.e., for a period of 4-6 weeks, as smoking will diminish the amount of oxygen available to your cells, which need the oxygen to promote healing.
Eyelid rejuvenation through a blepharoplasty can create a more rested and youthful appearance. Call Dr. Dev’s Bakersfield surgery office today to schedule your consultation to find out if a blepharoplasty is right for you.
