Procedures::Face
Eyelid Surgery
This procedure can be done on the upper lid, the lower lid or both together. The eyelids are often done with a facelift and or a brow lift. The upper lid is closely related to the brow position and the lower lid to the cheek position.
In combined cases, the brow or the cheek is done first. This surgery is also highly individualized. There are times when only some skin is removed, and other times when some muscle or fat has to be removed as well. Sometimes, fat is added as a graft. If the lower lid is lax, it needs tightening (lateral canthopexy /orbicularis muscle suspension). I have developed a method to eliminate or minimize chemosis, which is one of the complications of these tightening procedures.
The surgery on the eyelids has to be done in consideration of the total facial harmony and proportion in order to look the best. I use fine non-absorbable sutures that I remove in three to four days. This, in contrast to the absorbable sutures, will produce less reaction and less scarring. In the eyelid, sutures should not be left in for more than five days because they can create a tunnel and tracks under the skin that would need to be surgically opened. Make sure your eyelid sutures are removed in less than five days.
After the surgery, we place iced compresses on the eyes to keep them cool and moist. You will be given the pads and the iced saline before you leave. This draws out any bleeding and helps with the bruising and swelling. The patient is instructed to keep the back elevated the night of the surgery and keep the compresses on.
Arnica Montana
For years I was hesitant to offer Arnica Montana to patients for preoperative and postoperative use, because I was worried that the product that they obtain on their own would have impurities. Now there is a clinically studied product that comes prepackaged, and you can get it in our office. We also give the patients a list of drugs to avoid at least two weeks before surgery.
