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 other times some muscle or fat has to be removed. 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 to look the best. I use fine nonabsorbable sutures that I remove in three to four days. This in contrast to the absorbable sutures, they will produce less reaction and less scaring. In the eyelid, sutures should not be left in 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.