The Surgery of Lids- BLEFAROPLASTY
 The first signs of a tired appearance and of age appear around the eyes. The excess of skin of the superior lid can produce ocular fatigue and also the permanent necessity to be elevating the brows, increases the wrinkles in the forehead. With the time, the muscle of the lids weakens and makes that the skin that surrounds the lids is taken down hindering the vision.
In the inferior lid the skin excess generates wrinkles and the flaccidity of the muscle reveals bags impossible to hide, even with make-up. These Bags give the appearance of fatigue and staying up all night, even if the person has rested appropriately the previous night. This problem can also appear in young people giving the impression aging and of exhaustion
 The blefaroplasty is the medical term used to denominate the surgery that rejuvenates and relocate the skin excess and fat located around the eyes that commonly is known as "bags."
The blefaroplasty is a procedure for which the surgeons moves away the excess of fat and relocates the fallen skin. The incisions close in a delicate way, in such a way that the scars are imperceptible. It is possible that your surgeon suggests additional procedures as the endoscopic elevation of brows, the rising of cheeks, procedures with laser for the skin, fillers or Botox; all this with the purpose of improving the general harmony of
the face and don´t only a unique.
 The blefaroplasty is one of the most dramatic and permanent methods used to minimize the process of facial aging, and its results usually last for many years.
Frequent Questions
 ¿What age can I carry out this surgery?
The surgery of lids is usually carried out in patients older than 35 years. Nevertheless, some people that present premature aging or that have suffered deterioration of the skin for illness, lesion or simply like part of the family features, they can appeal the surgeon a lot before having completed this age. Some patients with bags of the inferior lids can require the surgery starting from the 20 years.
¿Am I candidate for a blefaroplasty?
The skin excess that appears with age generates wrinkles and bags that age and gives an appearance of exhaustion. People frequently go to the surgeon because they also suffer the weight of the lids and they have difficulty to open the eyes, for what their vision is limited. If you present these symptoms or other more, you could be a candidate to a blefaroplasty.
When going to the medical consultation, you and your surgeon analyze in detail what part of your face want to improve, and through a photographic study by computer evaluate the possible modifications and approach to the results. In this initial consultation the surgeon will be able to recommend the technique that is adapted better to your particular circumstance. By a careful exam your doctor will determine if the superior lids will only be operated, or the inferior lids too, and how other procedures could optimize the results.
Besides the previous circumstances, it is important that you observe your general state of health, psychic condition and maintain a realistic attitude as for your expectations
¿What type of anesthesia is used in this surgery?
The blefaroplasty is a surgery that is accomplished in an ambulatory way and generally with local anesthesia. In this type of surgical intervention the last methods of anesthesia are used allowing the patient to be awake during the surgery, without any pain and absolutely calm. Nevertheless, some patients opt be operated under general anesthesia. Both types of anesthesia are equally safe and in the two cases nothing is perceived during the intervention, the patient wakes up as soon as finished the operation, feeling well and without pain.
One of the causing reasons of more anguish can be the topic of the anesthesia. The protocols of our clinic allow us to offer you the biggest security. During your initial consultation, Dr. Jorge Alberto Espinosa Reyes requests a series of laboratory exams to evaluate your physical state, he develops a complete clinical history and analyzes the patient's antecedents to help to prevent any possible complication.
Later it will be done a pre-anesthetic evaluation where the anesthesiologist revises with you the state of health and informs you on the anesthetic act that will be practiced. The day of the surgery, the specialist on charge revises the information with you. It is recommended to be very clear and to inform previously if you are allergic to some medication. Our clinic has all the necessary systems that will allow a sure handling of the procedure.
Once concluded the surgery, you will pass to our room of post-anesthetic care where you will be supervised and controlled for personal competent. For these moments you will already have recovered the conscience and you will be passed to a recovery room adapted especially to the patient's necessities. The Dr. Espinosa will wait your complete recovery to prescribe the appropriate medication and discharge you to let you go out. You should have a person of complete trust that helps you to move home and takes care of you at least the first day of the post-surgery.
¿Will my sight looks natural or do I run the risk of looking “stretched”?
For Dr. Espinosa the naturalness is synonymous of success in surgery: "If the result doesn't look natural, neither looks well."
The procedures that are carried out now at days are in their majority techniques of "rising" and "relocation", not of "stretching". In the blefaroplasty is respected the structure of the tissues and muscles of the periorbitary area, in such a way that the modifications done adjust perfectly to the original structures of the face without affecting the natural expression. The traction of the skin and the muscles are practiced in a delicate way, in such a way that the look doesn't lose its own attitude.
¿How is accomplished the surgery?
For this procedure, the surgeon realize incisions that follow the natural lines, in the pleats of the superior lids and below the line of the lashes in the inferior lids. In some occasions they are carried out these incisions for the conjunctive one behind the inferior lid.Through these incisions, the surgeon separates the skin of the fatty tissue and the muscle, it extracts the fatty excess, removes the spare skin and closes with very fine sutures.
¿How much time will I be on Surgery room?
This intervention usually lasts between 30 min and two hours. If additionally will be carried out another type of procedures, it is possible that this time extends a little more.
¿What can I expect after surgery?
Once finished the surgery you will be calm and without pain. It is possible that with the step of the hours you feel certain nuisances which are controlled with the use of the formulated medications. It is important that you plan with anticipation the day of your surgery and have a person of your whole trust that helps you to return home, and take care of you at least the first day of the post- surgery.
Remember that it is normal something of inflammation and sometimes temporary changes of the coloration of the lids (lived). This is a very delicate and susceptible area. Nevertheless, this it is a condition that usually gives with the days. It is possible also that you have a sensation of tightness for the same inflammation. In all the cases, and for your tranquility, don't doubt to contact Dr. Espinosa who will be attentive to all your recovery process.
¿How much time takes the recovering?
The recovery of a surgery of lids is quick and generally you'll be able to return to the habitual works after three or five days. Nevertheless, remember that each organism has a different recovery process and it would be convenient that you plan with enough time your surgery for if is needed an additional time of rest. The exercise and the sports will wait a little more.
Dr. Espinosa recommends:
Before Surgery:
1. Not to consume medications that contains salicylic acid (Aspirin) and derivates
2. Not to have smoked at least one month before the surgery..
3. To inform from possible allergies to medications.
4. To maintain realistic expectations with regard to the results of the surgery.
After Surgery:
1. Check on exit that the formula, disability order and date of medical control order has been delivered
2. The feeding after first day can be normal.
3. Although the pain is usually minimal, inside the formulated medications an analgesic is included. Take it according to the indications scored in the formula. If you ends up noticing severe or persistent pain communicates immediately with us.
4. Avoid taking Aspirin or medications that contain acetylsalicylic acid.
5. Use the formulated ointment two times a day, apply a bit and spread it over the wounds.
6. You can use cold compresses on the lids for 20 minutes 6 times a day the first two days..
7. During the first days sep a little seated, you shouldn’t sleep face down.
8. You can use your eyes to read or match TV as frequently as you wish.
9. Don’t use contact lenses for two weeks, the pulling that is practiced over the lids when you remove them or put them back, might interfere with healing of wounds. Instead, you can use glasses anytime.
10. Don’t use any kind of make up for two weeks (eyes liner, eyes shadows, etc).
11. Don’t exercise or practice sports at least for three weeks alter surgery.
12. To avoid any blow in the nose, don’t carry small children or pets after the surgery.
13. Don’t be exposed to sun directly for 2 months. Use solar protector and dark glasses.
14. In general terms you will be able to return to your normal activity in a lapse from 8 to 15 days, if it is not exposed to drastic changes of environmental temperature, severe physical efforts or high risk of traumas or blows in the face.
15. It’s normal to feel the lids tense and itching over the wounds, the first days alter surgery.
16. Any reddish coloration of the white part of the eyes or of the lids it is only the normal process of inflammation and it will improve during the period of recovery, in some occasions you can present inflammation around the eyes that it will disappear in a lapse from 8 to 15 days.
17. The stitches will be removed in different times after surgery depending of the type of procedure and type of skin. We will announce you conveniently.
18. The previous ones are general indications; don't doubt to call us if you need some explanation. Remember that the success of the surgery depends in large part of the post surgery cares. |
