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WHAT
to EXPECT
Bruising, swelling and moderate discomfort. You will have
blood come from under eye bandage. Blurred vision will usually
last 7-10 days but can last six weeks or more. This is more
frequent in individuals who wear contact lenses.
ANESTHESIA
- General - no memory of operation.
Local
Mac - no memory of operation.
Local
Sedation - will be awake to some extent. You will feel the
injection.
DURATION
of OPERATION - One to one and a half hours.
DAY
of SURGERY - Wear comfortable clothing. Leave jewelry
at home. Following the operation you will go to the recovery
unit for 45 minutes to one hour, then move to the post-op
area for one to three hours. You must have someone to drive
to and from the surgical facility. You must have someone stay
with you the first night or stay at an overnight facility.
Use ice packs and limit intake. Fluids only are best (7-UP,
Gatorade). Put ointment in your eyes at night.
DAY
TWO and THREE - First 24 hours use ice packs, then
warm compresses or cool tucks for eye comfort. Use Liquid
tears and ointment as needed. Sutures will be removed on the
third or fourth day.
BACK
TO WORK - You can usually return to work in 10-14.
Swelling will last 2-4 weeks.
EXERCISE
- You may walk up to a mile at 10 to 14 days. At 2-3 weeks
you may begin to lift light weights and take longer walks.
Strenuous activities at four weeks after surgery.
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RISKS
BLEEDING
- Bleeding can occur following any surgery. If bleeding occurs
it will usually require going to operating room to correct.
INFECTION
- Uncommon. We use antibiotics pre- and post operatively.
SCARRING
- Usually minimal to inconspicuous Occasionally a scar will
need revision because it is painful or thickens.
NERVE
DAMAGE - Sensation: You could lose some sensation
around the eye temporarily. It normally returns.
MOTOR
FUNCTION - (Opening and closing of eye) can be effected
for one to three weeks or more. Rarely function is effected
for 3-6 months.
ECTROPION
- (Lower lids pulled down). There will be a pull early due
to swelling. Occationally scar prevents lid from going up
fully on upward gaze. It usually corrects itself with exercise
in 4-12 weeks. Lifting the lower lids early helps prevent
this problem.
BLINDNESS
- Extremely uncommon. Cause is usually bleeding behind the
eye.
DRY
EYE - You will need to use Liquid Tears for days
to weeks following surgery.
SYMMETRY
- You are not symmetrical now and will not be perfectly symmetrical
after the surgery. Look very closely in the mirror prior to
surgery to identify asymmetry.
EMOTION
- You may have a period of mild depression after surgery.
This is caused by the stress of the surgery and anesthesia.
It will pass as you recover.
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WHAT A BLEPHAROPLASTY WILL DO
- Reduce
the amount of skin and fat in eyelids.
- Give
a more rested appearance.
- Correct
some subtle symmetry.
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WHAT A BLEPHAROPLASTY WILL NOT DO
- Will
not remove all lines and wrinkles.
- Make
eyelids perfectly symmetrical.
- It
will not last forever.
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WHAT
IF REVISIONS ARE NEEDED
You are
responsible for anesthesia and facility charges.
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HOW LONG WILL RESULTS LAST
This is a very difficult question to answer. Longevity of
the procedure depends on your skin elasticity, heredity, previous
sun exposure and post-operatively, stress, smoking and elastic
fibers in your skin. If you are a good candidate with good
skin qualities and don't smoke, you can expect a good appearance
for 4-10 years. Remember gravity pulls and aging continues
from the moment I finish your operation. I wish I could guarantee
the duration of the results but it is impossible. Do not expect
all lines to be gone. Perfection is impossible but significant
improvement is expected - a fresh, rested look.
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