One
of the many changes people notice as they grow older
is a downward shifting of the brow and fullness of
the upper eyelid skin. Often, we notice swelling of
the eyelids in the morning which seems to take progressively
longer to disappear as we age. Wrinkling and sagging
of eyelid skin may be accompanied by bagginess of
the lower
eyelids and at the inner corners of the upper lids.
This tendency often becomes apparent between 35 and 40
years of age, becoming even more obvious in the forties
and fifties.
The
results of eyelid surgery are often quite dramatic.
Blepharoplasty involves the eyelid structures and
surrounding tissues. Surgical incisions are placed
in a way that they will be barely visible after several
months have elapsed. Excess skin and overstretched
muscle fibers are removed from the upper lids along
with protruding fatty tissue. The same correction
is applied to lower eyelids; however, great attention
is paid to the elimination of excess skin without
producing undue tension on the lid margin.
Often,
this procedure is done in conjunction with a face
lift. And, like the face lift, the blepharoplasty
can be performed under local or general anesthesia
on an outpatient as is with admittance and discharge
on the same day as surgery.
Sometimes
the plastic surgeon may recommend that a brow lift
be perfomed in conjunction with a blepharoplasty.
The brow lift, which is designed to raise sagging
brows, is done through an incision in the scalp where
scars will be hidden in the hair. By elevating the
eyebrows to thier former youthful position, little
excess skin may need to be removed from the upper
eyelids. In fact, in many instances, the appearance
of excess skin on the upper eyelids is an illustion
created by the sagging brows. This procedure also serves
to reduce forehead wrinkles.
This
operation is perfomed most often under local
anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
