What to Know About Upper Eyelid Surgery
What is upper eyelid surgery? Why is it done?
Upper eyelid surgery, called upper blepharoplasty, is defined as the removal of excess skin, muscle and/or fat on the upper eyelid. It is the most common aesthetic procedure in the world. It can be applied for cosmetic reasons as well as functional reasons. With aging, the patient may notice that the upper eyelids are "heavy." This may be caused by drooping eyebrows, excess upper eyelid skin and fatty tissue, or all of them.
What are the types of Anesthesia applied during this surgery?
The surgery can be performed more comfortably by only anesthetizing the upper eyelid locally by injecting an anesthetic substance, administering a sedating drug through the vein, and also using local infiltration anesthesia. Finally, it can also be performed with general anesthesia, which means that you are completely asleep and nothing is felt. Here, the patient's existing diseases and psychological state when receiving anesthesia (such as hypertension, panic attack, heart and kidney disorders, fears, whether he has received anesthesia before and the negativities he experienced during this time, etc.), the patient's anesthesia preference, the experience of the surgeon who will perform the operation while examining the patient and the anesthesia The doctor's opinions are effective.
What are the conditions that may prevent surgery?
If the patient has heart disease, respiratory problems, kidney disease and problems with previous surgery with anesthesia, local anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation is preferred in such patients. On the other hand, if he/she uses blood thinners such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and vitamin E, he/she should stop taking them 7 days in advance. This is especially important for patients coming from abroad for surgery for 1 week, and they should stop taking such medications at least 7 days before their arrival. Otherwise, undesirable consequences will be inevitable.
Where is the incision made in upper eyelid surgery?
Upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) incision is made through the natural eyelid crease of the skin with the thinnest skin thickness (0.38 mm), such as the upper eyelid. To explain this subtlety, we can explain it as "it is possible for a text placed on the back of the skin to be read from the other side of the skin". With this crease, the distance between the eyelashes is on average 8-10 mm (4-6 mm in Asian people). This incision is extended towards the outer edge of the eye and curved upwards at the end to hide in the crow's feet folds.
Can the incision be seen in upper eyelid surgery and when will it become unnoticeable?
This incision cannot be seen when the eyes are open because it is hidden. However, when the eyes are closed, it is noticed as an imperceptible fold in the area that fits the upper eyelid crease. In order to prevent this scar from being noticed, first of all, the surgeon who performed the surgery should stitch it very carefully, the structure of the thread used for stitching, the reaction of the tissue of the person who underwent surgery, post-operative care and finally the use of some scar removal creams to make the scar disappear. It takes 2-3 months for this scar to become unnoticeable. This period may be slightly longer in older people.