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As we age, our
eyelids undergo changes, making us look tired and older. Many factors,
such as heredity and sun damage, accelerate these changes. Many
younger people also complain of puffiness of the eyes which can result
from congenital (con-JEN’-ih-toll) changes leading to excess fatty
tissues. Fat deposits, commonly called “bags,” and loose skin of the
upper and lower eyelids can be removed by a cosmetic surgeon in a
procedure called blepharoplasty (BLEH’-fu-row-plast-ee), or an
eyelift. Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids
separately or both at the same time. The upper eyelid incision is made
in the natural skin fold. The lower eyelid incision may be made
directly under the eyelash line or on the inside of the lower lid. The
excess skin and fatty tissue is removed and incisions are carefully
closed. This surgical procedure can be performed on an out-patient
basis, in a hospital, or in an ambulatory surgical suite under general
or local anesthesia (an-eh-thee-zhah), depending on the surgeon and
patient’s preferences. Immediately after the surgery, there may be
some swelling and bruising. The swelling will usually begin to subside
within several days, while the bruising may take several weeks to
completely fade. There are risks in any surgical procedure. The degree
of improvement varies from patient to patient. You should discuss all
benefits and risks with your cosmetic surgeon. For additional
information on bags under the eyes, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan
Plastic Surgery.
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DROOPY LIDS?
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As people age, the eyelid skin
stretches, muscles weaken, and fat accumulates around the eye, causing
“bags” above and below. Frequently, a droopy eyelid will accompany
bags, due to chronic swelling and stretching of the muscle which
elevates the eyelid. Eyelid surgery, technically called blepharoplasty
(BLEH’-fur-oh-plas-tee), is a procedure to remove fat-usually along
with excess skin and muscle-from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid
surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your
eyes, features that make you look older than you feel. The best
candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically
healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations.
Most are thirty-five or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in
your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.
Eyelid surgery may be performed in a surgeon’s office-based facility,
an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital. It’s usually done on an
outpatient basis; rarely does it require an inpatient stay. For
additional information on droopy eyelids, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at
Michigan Plastic Surgery.
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EYEBROW LIFT?
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Proper eyebrow positioning is an
essential component in the correction of the aging eyelid. As we age,
our brows descend, creating an aged appearance on the face. The goal
of brow lifting is to restore the posture and contour of the eyebrow
and thus improve the appearance of the upper lid. This procedure is
done under local anesthesia (an-es-thee-zha) with sedation or general
anesthesia. An incision is placed at or above the hair line and the
forehead is then elevated in order to improve forehead wrinkles and
frown lines. The procedure takes approximately one and a half hours to
perform, and bruising lasts approximately zero to ten days. For more
information about eyebrow lifts, talk to Dr. Rick Smith at Michigan
Plastic Surgery.
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