What does eyelift surgery involve?

Answer 1

On the day of your eyelift surgery, you will be asked prepare with a few steps. These may include special washing instructions, fasting and medication instructions, as well as arrangements for transportation and additional help with your recovery. Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions before your surgery and it is important to adhere to them closely. Your surgery will begin with anesthesia. Usually a local anesthetic is used, in combination with an oral or IV sedative. In this case, you will be awake, but the affected area will be numbed and you will feel no pain. You will be able to see the procedure as it is happening and you may feel some tugging and slight discomfort. If your surgeon opts for a general anesthetic, you will sleep through the procedure. Incisions are made along the natural curves of your eyelid - in the crease of the upper lid and along the lash line of the lower lid. This is done to disguise any scarring that might occur. The surgeon will then remove fatty tissue and may trim excess skin or sagging muscle. Very fine sutures are used to close the incisions. Sometimes your surgeon may use what is called transconjunctival blepharoplasty. This is used in cases when there is no need to remove skin or muscle from the lower lid. Instead of making an incision on the outside of the lid, the incision is made inside the lower lid, the fat is removed and the lid is sewn up, leaving no visible scar. The procedure can take any where from one to three hours to perform. Usually the surgeon will do the upper eyelids first, followed by the lower lids. Once your surgery is completed, you will be given time to recover fully from your anesthetic. The surgeon will put ointment in your eyes and cover them with bandages. As your anesthesia wears off, you may start to feel some discomfort. You may use painkillers as prescribed by your surgeon to limit the discomfort. If you experience sever pain, contact your doctor right away. You will be instructed to keep your head elevated and to use ice packs to reduce swelling and bruising. The office will give you detailed instructions on post-operative care, including how to clean your eyes. Be prepared for some bruising and swelling. Follow-up with your surgeon is crucial in the beginning. Your stitches may be removed within a week of your surgery and you should be able to read and watch TV within a few days.