What means eyelid surgery?

Also called blepharoplasty, it is a surgery procedure that corrects the appearance of superior and inferior eyelids:

• The fallen skin or the ptosis at the level of the superior eyelid, which sometimes affects the view
• Fat deposits in excess at the level of the superior eyelid
• The "Packs" under the eyes
• The ptosis of the inferior eyelid which outlines the "white" color of the eye under the iris
• The skin in excess and the fine   wrinkles of the inferior eyelid
• These conditions occur naturally due to the ageing process and to heredity.

This is the reason for which blepharoplasty gives positive results also in case of young persons who inherited issues at this level. Most frequently, eyelid surgery addresses to adult persons, man or woman, having a healthy facial tissue and tone muscles, and a realistic desire to improve the appearance of the skin around the eyes.

Ideal candidates are the following:

• Healthy persons, who don't suffer from any vital risk diseases or from other diseases interfering with the healing process
• Non-smokers
• Positive persons with realistic wish to improve eye appearance.

The following diseases contraindicate the surgery procedure at this level:

• Eye diseases such as glaucoma, "dry eyes", retina detached Thyroid diseases:
• Graves disease, hyper or hypothyroid disease
• Cardiovascular diseases, hypertension or other diseases of the circulatory system
• Diabetes

Which is the first step to prepare for this procedure?

A consultation with the plastic surgeon is the first step to such procedure. During this consultation you'll receive all useful information: about the wanted scope and a evaluation of your case types of procedures potential risks and complications

What does the evaluation consist of?

The general health condition has an increased impact on the quality of results. Both physical and emotional health condition will be carefully appraised by your surgeon.

The success of the procedure, your security and satisfaction depend upon: the communication degree with your surgeon the accurate and full history, including current medication, vitamins, food supplements, alcohol, smoking, drug consumption the degree of seriousness regarding compliance with the instructions given by your doctor.

What does the procedure consist of?

The procedure is customized. Your anatomic data are carefully analyzed, what you wish to correct, the causes of this "defect", and actual possibilities to obtain the expected result. Eyelid surgery improves dramatically face appearance, correcting fallen eyelids, the "packs" under the eyes, through muscle repositioning, fat deposit redistribution and, if case, through resection of the fat in excess.

Eyelid surgery could be associated with other procedures made at the face level to obtain the expected results. "Skin resurfacing" represents laser use techniques that bring an additional improvement of the skin appearance around the eyes.

Eyebrow lifting is indicated if their position is fallen. The lifting of the mean third of the face could be happily associated with blepharoplasty which could use the same incisions as the blepharoplasty. Facial or neck lifting could also be associated with the blepharoplasty.

How should I prepare for the surgery?

You'll receive full and accurate information about the procedure you wish for. You'll be given guidelines about the pre-surgery area: general considerations,  the list of pre-surgical tests to be done to avoid some drugs that might interfere with the recovery and healing processes data about the anesthesia.

The risks associated with this procedure include out of time healing, infection of the surgery wound, view temporarily affected. There might occur difficulties to fully close the eyelid, usually temporary.

The eversion of the eyelid ("fall" of the margin of the inferior eyelid), called ectropion, usually temporary, is a complication that occurs quite rarely.

To all these, the anesthesia risks must be added. The procedure will take place in a surgery room, under local or general anesthesia. Following the surgery you'll be applied at the eye level a special ointment and cold compresses.

Post-surgery care includes cleaning practices of the surged area, medication prescriptions that prevents infection or exaggerated inflammation of the surged area.

How does the healing process pass?

Following an initial period when the surged area will be edematous (tumid), with pronounced ecchymosis (bruises) in the periorbital area, a process of gradual regression of these phenomena follows.

You will be instructed to maintain your head's position higher than your body, as much as possible in the first week after the surgery.

Your eyes must be protected against powerful light or wind by wearing sunglasses. The incisions will cure within 5 to 10 days. Usually the suture material suppresses after 5 days since the surgery.

Following this stage you could restart using make-up to hide the incision lines. The healing process continues for few weeks, time in which the edema disappears step by step and the visual function comes back to normal.

Final results show after many weeks since the surgery and are very persistent. Non stop protection against UV, wearing sunglasses permanently helps maintaining the results for long periods.