Eyelid Rejuvenation

Cosmetic Eyelid Plastic Surgery and Rejuvenating Skin Care for Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, & Washington DC

'the eyes are the windows to the soul'

Eyelid rejuvenation requests are very common. In fact, blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries in the United States today. Aging around the eyes is one of the earliest areas of concern to both men and women. The shape of the eye, the redundant skin and its texture, and fat bulging about the eye region are some of the most common signs of aging, and fatigue. The eyes, at times, can express things that we are not even trying to convey. This may effect a person's overall presentation in public or may lead to an incorrect first impression being given. This is one of the areas of the face that may have a tremendous benefit with very little surgery. A great result may be obtained with a multi-targeted approach, obtaining rejuvenation not only with surgery but also with dedicated skin care, and laser skin resurfacing if necessary.

BLEHPAROPLASTY

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and muscle from both the upper and lower eyelids along with underlying fatty tissue. Blepharoplasty can improve drooping skin and bagginess. It can help improve vision in older patients who have hooding of their upper eyelids. Although it can add an upper eyelid crease to the Asian eyelid, it will not erase evidence of one's racial or ethnic heritage. Blepharoplasty will not remove "crow's feet" or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under the eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows.

Blepharoplasty surgery is customized for every patient, depending on his or her particular needs. It can be performed alone involving upper, lower or both eyelid regions, or in conjunction with other surgical procedures of the eye, face, brow, or nose. Eyelid surgery cannot stop the process of aging. It can however, diminish the look of loose skin and bagginess in the eyelid region.

It is important that you read the information below carefully and have all of your questions answered before undergoing eyelid surgery.

It is important that you read this information about eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) carefully and completely. Please read the Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) consent pages. You will be required to sign the consent for surgery as proposed by Dr. Michael J. Brown.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS Alternative forms of management include of not treating the skin laxness and bagginess in the eyelids by surgery. Improvement of skin laxness, fatty deposits and skin wrinkles may be accomplished by other treatments or surgery such as a brow lift when indicated. Other forms of eyelid surgery may be needed should you have disorders affecting the function of the eyelid such as drooping eyelids from muscle problems (eyelid ptosis) or looseness between the eyelid and eyeball (ectropion). Minor skin wrinkling may be improved through chemical skin-peels or other skin treatments. Risks and potential complications are associated with alternative forms of treatment.

RISKS of BLEPHAROPLASTY SURGERY Every surgical procedure involves a certain amount of risk, and it is important that you understand the risks involved. An individual's choice to undergo eyelid surgery is based on the comparison of the risk to potential benefit. Although the majority of patients do not experience the following complications, you should discuss each of them with Dr. Brown to make sure you understand the risks, potential complications, and consequences of blepharoplasty surgery.

Infection- Infection is very rare after eyelid surgery. Should an infection occur, additional treatment including antibiotics may be necessary.

Dry eye problems- Permanent disorders involving decreased tear production can occur after eyelid surgery. The occurrence of this is rare and not entirely predictable. Individuals who normally have dry eyes may be advised to use special caution in considering blepharoplasty surgery.

Bleeding- It is possible, though unusual, to have a bleeding episode during or after eyelid surgery. Bleeding may occur under the skin or internally around the eyeball. Should you develop post-operative bleeding, it may require emergency treatment or surgery. Do not take any aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications for ten days before surgery, as this may contribute to a greater risk of a bleeding problem. Hypertension (high blood pressure) that is not under good medical control may cause bleeding during or after surgery. Accumulations of blood under the eyelids may delay healing and cause scarring.

Blindness- Blindness is extremely rare after eyelid surgery. However, it can be caused by internal bleeding around the eye during or after surgery. The occurrence of this is not predictable.

Scarring- Although good wound healing after a surgical procedure is expected, abnormal scars may occur both within the eyelid and deeper tissues. In rare cases, abnormal scars may result. Scars may be unattractive and of different color than surrounding skin. There is the possibility of visible marks in the eyelid or small skin cysts from sutures. Additional treatments may be needed to treat scarring.

Damage to deeper structures- Deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, and eye muscles may be damaged during the course of surgery. The potential for this to occur varies with the type of eyelid surgery procedure performed. Injury to deeper structures may be temporary or permanent.

Asymmetry- The human face and eyelid region is normally asymmetrical. There can be a variation from one side to the other following an eyelid surgery.

Chronic pain- Chronic pain may occur very infrequently after eyelid surgery.

Skin disorders/skin cancer- An eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure to tighten the loose skin and deeper structures of the eyelid. Skin disorders and skin cancer may occur independently of eyelid surgery.

Ectropion- Displacement of the lower eyelid away from the eyeball is a rare complication. Further surgery may be required to correct this condition.

Corneal exposure problems- Some patients experience difficulties closing their eyelids after surgery and problems may occur in the cornea due to dryness. Should this rare complication occur, additional treatments or surgery and treatment may be necessary.

Unsatisfactory result- There is the possibility of a poor result from eyelid surgery. Surgery may result in unacceptable visible deformities, loss of function, wound disruption, and loss of sensation. You may be disappointed with the results of surgery. Infrequently, it is necessary to perform additional surgery to improve your results. Additional surgical procedures such as a browlift may be needed to correct eyebrow sagging which contributes to upper eyelid problems.

Allergic reactions- In rare cases, local allergies to tape, suture material, or topical preparations have been reported. Systemic reactions which are more serious may occur to drugs used during surgery and prescription medicines. Allergic reactions may require additional treatment.

Eyelash hair loss- Hair loss may occur in the lower eyelash area where the skin was elevated during surgery. The occurrence of this is not predictable. Hair loss may be temporary or permanent.

Delayed healing- Wound disruption or delayed wound healing is possible.

Long term effects- Subsequent alterations in eyelid appearance may occur as the result of aging, weight loss of gain, sun exposure, or other circumstances not related to eyelid surgery. Blepharoplasty surgery does not arrest the aging process or produce permanent tightening of the eyelid region. Future surgery or other treatments may be necessary to maintain the results of a blepharoplasty.

Surgical anesthesia- Both local and general anesthesia involve risk. There is the possibility of complications, injury, and even death from all forms of surgical anesthesia or sedation.

HEALTH INSURANCE

If hooding of the upper eyelids interfere with your vision, your health insurance company may cover blepharoplasty surgery for the upper-eyelids only. Most health insurance companies exclude coverage for cosmetic surgical operations such as the lower-eyelid blepharoplasty or any complications that might occur from surgery. Please carefully review your health insurance subscriber information pamphlet.

ADDITIONAL SURGERY NECESSARY

There are many variable conditions in addition to risk and potential surgical complications that may influence the long term result of eyelid surgery. Even though risks and complications occur infrequently, the risks cited are the ones that are particularly associated with blepharoplasty surgery. Other complications and risks can occur but are even more uncommon. Should complications occur, additional surgery or other treatments may be necessary. The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee or warranty expressed or implied, on the results that may be obtained.

Prior to any surgical procedure, it is imperative that you have read and understand the consent forms required for a plastic surgical procedure.