Eyelid Surgery in Spring Hill

A blepharoplasty, otherwise known as an eye lift, is a surgery which repairs sagging eyelids and potentially involves removing excess skin, muscle and fat. Your eyelids begin to sag as you age due to the muscles supporting them losing their strength and being unable to continue. The weakening of muscle and sagging of skin can lead to excess fat gathering as well. It can gather both above and below your eyelids which forms droopy upper lids and exaggerated bags under your eyes.

Sagging skin around your eyes not only makes you look older than your actual age but it can also be potentially hazardous. Droopy eyelids can lead to a reduction in peripheral vision. Blepharoplasties can reduce or entirely eliminate these issues while making you appear younger and alert.

Blepharoplasty may be an option for you if you suffer from excess skin of the upper eyelids that interferes with your peripheral vision or if you have bags under your eyes formed by sagging skin and fat. Insurance coverage may depend on whether the surgery repairs a condition that impairs vision. If you have the surgery only to improve your appearance, the cost probably won’t be covered by insurance. Lower lid blepharoplasty is almost always done just for cosmetic reasons.

Before Eyelid Surgery

Dr. Hashemian will ask questions about previous surgeries and your medical history, such as dry eyes, glaucoma, allergies, circulatory problems, thyroid problems and diabetes. He will also ask about your use of medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. An honest discussion of your hopes and motivation for surgery will help set the stage for a satisfactory outcome. Your surgeon will discuss with you whether the procedure is likely to work well for you.

Stop taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), naproxen (Naprosyn), and any other medication or herbal supplement associated with increased bleeding. Ask how long before surgery you need to stop taking these medicines. Take only medications approved by your surgeon.

Quit smoking several weeks before your surgery. Smoking can reduce your ability to heal after surgery.

Arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery if you’re having outpatient surgery. Plan to have someone stay with you for the first night after returning home from surgery.

Blepharoplasty

Dr. Hashemian can perform blepharoplasty to correct sagging eyelids, bags or pouches beneath the eyes, as well as excess folds around the eyes. This surgical procedure involves the removal of excess skin and fat on upper and lower eyelids and is often performed in conjunction with other surgical procedures including facelifts, eyebrow, and forehead lifts. Blepharoplasty can be done under general anesthesia (with you asleep) or under IV sedation. Both are very comfortable options. Premedication is utilized prior to surgery to decrease swelling after the operation.

Dr. Hashemian will trace the natural lines and creases of your face and make incredibly fine incisions from the inner to the outer edge of the eyelid. Surgery on the upper eyelid is performed first with the incision made in the fold of the lid. The incision is made below the eyelash on the lower eyelid. Any excess fat and skin are removed from the underlying compartments. The amount of fat excised is determined by the degree of protrusion of fat when pressure is applied to the area. Small sutures are used to close the incision and special ointments and dressings may be applied. The surgery can take up to two hours. In certain cases, lower eyelid incisions are made inside the lid. Laser may be used at the same time to reduce wrinkles.

Postoperative Information

After surgery you spend time in a recovery room, where you are monitored for complications. You can leave later that day to recuperate at home. After surgery you may temporarily experience blurred vision from the lubricating ointment applied to your eyes, watering eyes, light sensitivity, double vision, puffy, numb eyelids, swelling and bruising similar to having black eyes, pain or discomfort.

Use ice packs on your eyes for 10 minutes every hour the night after surgery. The following day, use ice packs on your eyes four to five times throughout the day. Gently clean your eyelids and use prescribed eyedrops or ointments.

Avoid strenuous activities, such as lifting, swimming, aerobics and jogging, for a week.

Avoid smoking.

Avoid rubbing your eyes or, if you use contact lenses, don’t put them in for about two weeks after surgery. Wear darkly tinted sunglasses to protect the skin of your eyelids from sun and wind.

Insurance

Your insurance company may pay for part of the cost of surgery if the procedure is performed due to visual impairment caused by sagging eyelids. Because every insurance carrier is different, it is recommended that you check with your own insurance company to determine the level of coverage.