Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat, excess skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids. The procedure can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel.
 

Eyelid surgery won’t, however, remove crow's feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. Eyelid surgery can be performed alone or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or browlift. The results usually last many years and are sometimes permanent.

Eyelid surgery is most appropriate for men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.
 
The Procedure
 A cosmetic surgical procedure to correct drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes by removing excess fat, skin and muscle. Dr. Frost generally makes the incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids, in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids. The procedure typically takes from one to three hours, is performed on an outpatient basis and is accompanied by general anesthesia or sedation.
 
Before Your Facial and Eyelid Surgery

At this visit, we will take payment and answer any questions you may have. Dr. Frost will probably not be available at this time but if you would like to speak with him again, please let us know and we will schedule this visit when he is available.

You will also receive any prescriptions that you may need at this visit. We recommend that you get these filled and have them ready so that you will not need to stop at the pharmacy on your way home from surgery. Let us know if you have any specific pain medication requests. We will try to use the medication that works best for you.

Arrangements will also be made at this visit for any necessary pre-operative evaluations such as blood tests, pregnancy tests, EKG, etc.

Please be at the Ambulatory Surgery Center or hospital on time so the nurses and anesthesiologist will have time to evaluate prior to surgery.
 
DIET & MEDICATIONS
PLEASE, eat nothing and drink nothing after midnight the night before surgery. This is VERY important. Your surgery will be canceled if you eat or drink in the morning before surgery. The only exception is a sip of water with any medications you must take. Generally, you should take blood pressure and heart medications. Leave off arthritis medications and do NOT take any diabetic medications (including insulin) unless specifically instructed to do so.
 

DRESSINGS & BATHING
Please take a good shower and shampoo with the night before surgery and another shower in the morning. Skip the make-up today please. Wear loose comfortable clothing with a shirt that buttons up the front and loose pants to make it easier to dress after surgery.

If you are having eyelid surgery we recommend you freeze some zip-lock bags with a wet piece of cloth inside. This is an easy to apply cold to your eyes after the procedure. Now is the time to plan for how you will elevate your head to sleep. Get some extra pillows in the bed or plan to sleep in a recliner if that is more comfortable for you.
 
The Side Effects
• Temporary discomfort
• Tightness of lids
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Temporary dryness, burning or itching of the eyes
• Excessive tearing
• Sensitivity to light for first few weeks
 
Possible Risks
• Temporary blurred or double vision
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling at the corners of the eyelids
• Dry eyes
• Formation of whiteheads
• Slight asymmetry in healing or scarring
• Difficulty in closing eyes completely (rarely permanent)
• Pulling down of the lower lids (may require further surgery)
• Blindness (extremely rare)
 
After Your Eyelid Lift
DIET
Take it slow and easy with diet. Start with clear liquids and simply advance as tolerated. It is normal to have some nausea from anesthetics and pain medication but by taking it easy, this should resolve quickly.
 
ACTIVITY
Take it easy for a day or two. As you start to feel better, you may gradually increase your activity. Don’t plan to drive for several days since your vision may be restricted. Bending, squatting or pushing will be uncomfortable for a few days.
 
SWELLING
Try to sleep with your head elevated to decrease swelling. It is possible that your eyes will swell shut so your vision may be restricted for several days to a week. Most people find cold soothing to the eyes. Try chilled Tucks Pads or a small amount of water frozen in Zip-Lock bags. The Tucks Pads have witch hazel which many people find soothing.
 
PAIN
Many patients describe the feeling after a eyelid surgery as annoying more than painful with “tired eyes” or itching. The goal of pain medication is to prevent¬ pain so don’t wait until you are really hurting to take your medication. Follow the instructions for your prescription and we think you will get the best relief possible. You may switch to an over the counter pain medication any time you choose.
 
DRESSINGS & BATHING
You may shower and shampoo the day after surgery. Don’t worry about getting the tapes of sutures wet; they will survive a shower. We will remove sutures in the office in 2 to 5 days after surgery.
 
RESULTS
Don’t try to judge results yet. You will be swollen and bruised. You should be able to see most of your results in a couple of weeks but some swelling and bruising may last a little longer. You may use makeup on the upper lids after about two weeks. The lower lids and cheeks can be covered with makeup as soon as you are comfortable enough to apply.
 

QUESTIONS
Our goal is for you to be informed so if you have a question, please call our office at 850.474.8333
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