Blepharoplasty Surgical Procedure of the Upper Eyelid
Blepharoplasty is usually performed using local anesthesia (numbing injections). If performed in a hospital or surgery center, an IV will be started. Relaxing types of medications will be given to relax you. Before the local anesthetic is injected, you will be given enough medication in the IV that you will not feel or remember the injection. At some time before the local anesthetic, the doctor will draw or outline the amount of skin that will be removed. The lower line is drawn a few millimeters above the edge of the upper lid to place the incision in the natural eyelid fold and with time is difficult to see. Using a forcep, the excess skin is gently squeezed and a line is drawn across the upper lid when the appropriate amount of skin to be removed is determined. You are brought into the operating room and the eyelid area is prep and draped in a normal manner for surgery. The incision is made following the previously drawn lines. Any minor bleeding will be cauterized. Some doctors may use a laser to perform this portion of the operation. Any excess muscle layers and fat are removed. The incision is closed with sutures. There are a few doctors who are using a special glue to close the incision.
Blepharoplasty Surgical Procedures of the Lower Eyelid
There are two common types of procedures performed on the lower eyelids.
Transconjunctival blepharoplasty
This is a procedure performed by making the incision inside the lower eyelid. If there is not too much excessive skin and mostly fat is pushing forward, the procedure can be performed with the incision inside the lower eyelid. In this technique, there is not any incision on the surface of the lower eyelid. The lower eyelid is retracted down and the incision is made inside the eyelid. The excess fat is removed from through the incision inside the lower eyelid. The lower eyelid blepharoplasty cannot be covered by insurance as it does not obstruct any side vision.
Traditional Lower Eyelid Blepharolplasty
If there is excessive lower eyelid skin, an incision is made just below the lower eyelid lashes. The skin is carefully dissected from the underlying tissues. Excess skin is then removed and the protruding fat is removed. The incision is then closed with sutures. The incision will heal with time leaving a fine line scar.
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