Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Nothing ages a face more than the eyes. In contrast to bright, young eyes, stress and premature aging can cause the skin around the eyes to sag or puff up giving it an appearance of tiredness and often ill health. However, a simple technique known as a laser blepharoplasty can remove bags or sagging skin above and below the eyes.

• What is blepharoplasty?
• Using the CO2 laser scalpel for better recovery
• The procedure
• Recovery

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is the surgical removal of excess pads of fat under the eyes or excess tissue over the eyelids which accumulates as part of the aging process. While blepharoplasty is usually performed in addition to a face lift and a endoscopic brow lift, the procedure itself does a great deal to rejuvenate the face. Often carried out under a twilight anesthetic, patients are discharged on the same day.

Before	After

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Using the CO2 Laser Scalpel for Better Recovery

Are you tired of being asked, "Why are you so tired?" Do people consistently ask you, "Are you angry?" There are few features as hereditary as the appearance of the eyes. Many patients in their twenties or thirties come in for consultation with eyelids that appear fifty to sixty years old. Utilizing the CO2 laser scalpel, Dr. Roche has developed a procedure which dramatically reduces the bruising and swelling following eyelid surgery.

Before	After

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The Procedure

For the upper eyelids, an incision is placed in the natural skin crease. The laser scalpel is then utilized to remove excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper eyelids. The upper eyelid is sculpted to give an aesthetically pleasing, well balanced look to the eye. Many patients have very pleasant looking eyes but there is simply too much of a "curtain around the window."

Incisions are very selcom required for the lower eyelid. Excess fat is removed from the inside of the eyelid utilizing the laser scalpel. Often, because an abundance of fine wrinkles exists once the fat is removed, laser exfoliation of the lower eyelids is used to stimulate the growth of new collagen in the lower eyelids and to shrink the residual skin.

In some instances, an incision is also utilized in the lower eyelid if excess bags and sags of tissue exist. If incisions are used, for either upper or lower eyelids, very small stitches are required. These stitches are removed in one weeks' time.

Before	After

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Recovery

Postoperatively, patients are asked to utilize antibiotic and steroid drops for a week and to apply ice compresses during the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Most patients return to work without feeling excessively swollen in less than a week. Laser blepharoplasty and skin resurfacing has revolutionized aesthetic surgery of the eyelids and face. This exciting advance in technology allows for superior cosmetic results in both upper and lower eyelid surgery. As the laser scalpel seals blood vessels as it touches them, there is less bleeding, swelling, and bruising than with conventional "cold steel" surgery. This provides enhanced visibility to the surgeon of the anatomic structures, thus allowing a more precise and rapid surgery. With significantly less postoperative swelling, recovery is generally swift and overall patient satisfaction outstanding.

Adjunctive resurfacing of the of the lower eyelids at the time of lower lid blepharoplasty results in a no-scar incision and erases the wrinkles from the lower eyelids, further improving the results and patient satisfaction.

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