Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty is an operation to rejuvenate the lower eyelid by removing excess skin or removing excess fat or removing both. This combats the effects of ageing and looking tired.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty is an operation to rejuvenate the lower eyelid by removing excess skin or removing excess fat or removing both. This combats the effects of ageing and looking tired.
Eligibility Criteria
Ideal candidates for Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty include those who have either fat bags and or an excess of skin in the lower eyelid area. Patients with dark rings around the eye should be aware that this procedure does not affect nor improve pigmentation.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty is a day procedure that takes around 50 minutes and is normally performed under local anaesthetic with sedation.
I insert a drip to sedate you along with antibiotics and cortisone to prevent swelling. Depending on whether there is excess skin determines where the incision is made.
If the patient only has excess fat and no excess skin, an incision is made on the inside of the eyelid, which is called a transconjunctival incision. When the fat bags have been removed and the surgery completed, the eyelid returns to the correct position and there is no visible scar on the outside.
If there is excess skin to remove, an incision is made 1-2 mm below your lower eyelashes along the length of your eyelid and out past the corner of your eye. The skin is elevated and the fat bags removed.
Please pay careful consideration to the following before your surgery:
- You must avoid consuming alcohol for a week prior to the procedure.
- You must not take anything that may thin your blood in the two weeks prior to the procedure.
The above is to ensure that your blood clots normally.
This includes the following:
- Anything with aspirin such as Grandpa, Anadin, Dispirin, some cold and flu medications and combination pain killers. You may take Panado.
- All multi vitamins, vitamin supplements, omegas, fish oils and green tea.
- You must not take any anti-inflammatory drugs of any nature for two weeks prior to the procedure.
- Anything from a health shop.
After the procedure, you are taken back to the ward.
- After the procedure, you are taken back to the ward.
- If feeling fine after two to three hours, you may return home with antibiotics, cortisone, painkillers and ice packs.
- It is important to apply the ice packs over a facecloth to reduce the amount of swelling and bruising. This should be done hourly for three days during waking hours.
- The stitches are removed on the fifth day. During this period, any oozing from the stitch line can easily be wiped away using an earbud to prevent build up at the corner of the eye.
- It is important to tell me of any symptoms or worries that you have with regards to itchiness of the eye, dry eye symptoms or any other problems so that they can be dealt with. Please do not self-medicate in this regard. You must inform me if you have pain.
Disclaimer: The photos below are patients that have undergone a procedure by Dr Paul Mcgarr.
The below photos show a 57 year old patient that has undergone Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty with lateral brow lift.
Results are 8 weeks post-opp. The photos below are patients that have undergone a procedure by Dr Paul Mcgarr. Results and outcomes may vary from person to person. I will discuss your expectations and outcomes during your consultation.
RISKS
Don’t be shy about discussing your concerns at your consultation. It is important that you feel comfortable talking to me.
- A patient may very rarely, although uncommon, develop a hematoma*, which is bleeding from the wound. It is for this reason that you are not to take any blood thinning substances prior to the procedure. If you develop any swelling in the eye, with or without pain, please contact me immediately so we can treat it.
- As with any operation, there is a small risk of infection. For this reason, you will return home with antibiotics. If you think there is an infection, please let me know.
- Occasionally, there can be persistent swelling in the lower eyelids due to lymphatic drainage problems*. Whilst this is extremely uncommon, it is something that can happen and you should be aware of it.
EXPECTATIONS
- Patients with dark rings around the eye should be aware that this procedure does not affect nor improve pigmentation and in uncommon circumstances, the surgery can result in further pigmentation.
- In some cases, patients are recommended additional treatment to rejuvenate the lower eyelid region. This would most commonly involve the placement of some form of filler into the lower eyelid / cheek region to fill up the area that has lost volume due to aging.
- Sometimes the bruising can be significant. Most people find it goes away within seven to ten days but it can take up to two weeks. After five days, make up may be applied to conceal the bruising.
- It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or stress about the operation. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings at your consultation. It is important that you feel comfortable talking to me.
Disclaimer:
There is no guarantee of specific results and the results can vary from person to person. Please refer to my concise disclaimer for more information.
Copyright© Dr Paul McGarr, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Durban
MBBCH (Wits), FCS (Plast), Practice No. 042-000-0142158
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