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Baltimore, Maryland, Eyelid Surgery
Surgery to tighten loose, sagging eyelid skin can enhance one's appearance and comfort; however, for many people, the idea of having any kind of eye surgery is frightening. At the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery we understand, and that is why we are with you through each step of the process to help you determine if a Baltimore, Maryland, eyelid plastic surgery procedure could be right for you.
Find Out More
We can help you achieve the look you want. Request your consultation online with Dr. Fady Sinno or call us at (410) 884-4200 or (410) 751-2348 (Westminster). Dr. Sinno has offices near Baltimore, Annapolis, and Frederick.
About Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, technically called blepharoplasty, is a procedure that will remove excessive fat, sagging or wrinkled skin from your upper and/or your lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery will enhance your appearance, making you look more youthful and healthy.
Keep in mind that eyelid surgery will not remove wrinkles at the corner of your eye (crows' feet) or other wrinkling around the eye.This procedure can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, but it will not eliminate ethnic or racial genetic characteristics.
Ideal Candidates
You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if your eyes have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Puffy areas or "bags" under the eye, making you look old, tired or ill
- Excessive skin or sagging on your upper eyelid that detracts from your appearance or interferes with your vision
- Loss of your natural upper eyelid crease
Maintain reasonable expectations for this procedure. Although eyelid surgery will minimize or reduce your eyelid problems, it will not dramatically change your appearance.
Enhancing Your Results
Many of Dr. Sinno's patients combine eyelid surgery with one or more of the following procedures for enhanced results:
Dr. Sinno also performs chin enlargement and cheekbone enhancement. He will help you determine the right combination of procedures for you during your consultation.
What to Expect
The operation is done at the Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery on an outpatient basis. The entire procedure takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of the area treated.
If you receive local anesthesia, you will be awake and aware of what is going on during the surgery. You may feel a little tugging around your eyes during the procedure. Dr. Sinno can also use a general anesthesia for eyelid surgery so that you can be asleep throughout the procedure.
Incisions are made where the natural crease of your eye should be in the upper lids and below the lash line of your lower lids, as shown to the right. Then, Dr. Sinno removes the excess fat and skin. Most patients are candidates for the "transconjunctival" lower eyelid blepharoplasty, where the lower incision is made on the inside of the eyelid, therefore avoiding visible scars. The lower eyelid skin is then "tightened" by laser resurfacing.
Recovery
Pain, swelling, bruising
Your eyelids will feel tight or sore as the anesthesia wears off. Pain medication will help you control this discomfort. Your eyes also will appear bruised. The amount and extent of bruising varies among patients, and usually reaches its peak during the first week after surgery. The discoloration disappears around 2 weeks after the procedure.
Dressings and compresses
Dr. Sinno will lubricate your eyes with ointment after the surgery. You will need to keep your head elevated for several days afterwards. Use cold compresses to help reduce swelling and bruising.
The stitches are usually the absorbable kind, and will last about 1 week.
Bleeding
If you have bleeding from one of the incisions, it will usually stop if you apply a little pressure. Hold a pad or sponge on the spot for 10 to 20 minutes. You can clean off any dried or clotted blood around the stitches with soap and water, or diluted peroxide.
Cleaning your eyes
After surgery, you eyes likely will feel sticky or itchy and burning. Your eyelids also may feel dry. The staff at Sinno Center for Plastic Surgery will show you how to care for your eyes after surgery.
Numbness
You may have some numbness along your lash line. This is normal and will disappear shortly.
Scars
Healing takes time. Your scars may look slightly pink for 6 months, sometimes longer. Eventually, they will fade to a nearly invisible white line. Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out, and they can be easily removed. They cause no scarring.
Back to your normal routine
Your eyes will need to time to heal and adjust after the procedure. In general, you can expect to do the following:
- Avoid watching TV or reading for the first 2 to 3 days after surgery.
- Contact lenses can be worn after 2 weeks.
- Keep regular activities to a minimum for the first 3-5 days.
- Avoid any activity that will raise your blood pressure (bending, lifting, sports, sex).
- Do not drink alcohol for the first 3 to 5 days to minimize fluid retention.
- Refrain from any strenuous activity for at least 3 weeks.
- Return to work within 5 to 10 days.
- Wear make up around the eyes after 5 to 10 days.
Protecting your eyes
Your eyes are sensitive to sunlight, wind or other airborne irritants for a while. Wear sunglasses, along with a special eyelid sun block, when you go out.
Results
Once you have healed from your eyelid surgery procedure, you will appear more youthful and have a more rested, healthier, and alert appearance. If sagging skin was blocking your vision, you will now have a widened field of vision. Wrinkle lines around your eyes may be softened, but they will not be removed or erased.
Next Steps
Are you ready to find out more about eyelid surgery? Request your consultation online with Dr. Fady Sinno or call us at (410) 884-4200 or (410) 751-2348 (Westminster). His offices are conveniently located near Baltimore, Annapolis, and Frederick.
