Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) can have a significant impact on your appearance with very little downtime or discomfort during recovery. This makes it one of the most rewarding operations in plastic surgery. Careful planning and precise execution are essential to avoid common problems encountered with this type of surgery.
Eyelid surgery can involve the upper eyelid, lower eyelid or both. Careful consideration of the unique anatomical shape of the eye is essential to avoid a “rounded eye” or “pulled down look” (ectropion) of the lower eyelid or a hollowed out look of the upper eyelids. Pearl Women’s Center’s Dr. Richard Bensimon is an expert in the delicate process of blepharoplasty.
Hooding of the upper eyelid
The hallmark of aging in the upper eyelid is excess skin and heaviness that comes over the fold of the eyelid and eventually rests on the eyelashes. This gives the impression of tired, small appearing eyes. Removing this excess skin to create a crisp fold without hollowing out the lid or changing the natural shape of the eye allows for optimal correction.
Problems of the lower eyelid
Aging of the lower eyelids often shows up as sacks or bags bulging under the eye. These bags are caused by a weakening of a thin membrane in the eyelid which allows fat to push out like a pot belly, creating a tired appearance which can cast a shadow and leave a dark circle under the eye. The appearance of your eye can change frequently with allergies, lack of sleep, or fluid status.
How we do it differently
In traditional blepharoplasty of the lower eyelid, an incision is made through the skin and the fat is removed by going through the middle of the eyelid. In surgeries performed with this method, the natural healing process causes scarring and contracture leading to a shortening of the lid. The problem is then generally compounded when the surgeon tries to improve the texture of the skin by pulling or removing it. The result of these two steps all too often leads to an unsightly rounding of the outer part of the eye or a troublesome “downturn” of the lower lid.
A superior surgical technique employed at Pearl Women’s Center avoids these problems. An incision is made behind the eyelid (trans-conjuctival approach), avoiding the middle, and the fat is removed. Skin texture is improved by performing a special chemical peel designed for the eye. If there is true excess skin (which is rare), the appropriate amount is removed without disturbing the middle of the eyelid. This approach respects the normal anatomy of the eyelid and provides superior results. Dr. Bensimon has lectured internationally about lower eyelid surgery and this highly effective surgical approach.
Speedy recovery
Remarkable as it may seem, this procedure can be done under local anesthesia or with mild sedation. Slight bruising and swelling are normal but there is very little discomfort. Eyelid surgery has a very easy and typically uneventful recovery.
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