AGING AND HANGING SKIN FROM EYELIDS REMOVED PERMANENTLY. GUARANTEED!
ALL OF OUR SURGERIES ARE PERFOMED UNDER LOCAL ANESTHESIA WITH MINIMAL SIDE EFFECTS AND LITTLE DOWN TIME.
PRICES START AT $995.
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The upper eyelid surgery
The purpose of the upper Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is to remove the redundant skin that overhangs the upper eyelid crease. The procedure is performed through an incision that is placed at the eyelid crease, so that it is completely hidden. The skin is marked carefully before surgery to ensure that the exact amount of skin is removed. The skin is removed and then a small amount of fat is removed in the medial area (next to the nose). The incision is then closed with a tiny continuous stitch that is placed inside the skin to ensure that the incision heals well and is virtually invisible. The stitch is then removed on post-operative day five. The Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery scar will not be visible once it completely heals.
The Drooping Upper Eyelid
The upper eyelid begins to show evidence of aging almost before any other facial feature. Excessive skin redundancy is first seen as it crowds and hides the crease of the upper eyelid .
In the area near the nose, a small amount of fat often bulges out. When evaluating the upper eyelid, it is important to differentiate between the aging upper eyelid and descent of the eyebrow.
The eyebrow also descends with time. As it does, the brow skin crowds the upper eyelid, adding to the fullness in the area. The surgeon must differentiate between a low brow and an aging eyelid, in order to council the patient correctly. Occasionally, patients may need both a Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery and brow lift to rejuvenate the eyelid-eyebrow area which we can do under local in our Washington dc surgical clinic.
Lid Surgery Post Op Instruction
MEDICATIONS
• Antibiotics. Start your antibiotics Keflex 4 times a day and if you were given Cipro, take it twice a day.
*Pain Medication. Take Tylenol over the counter as needed. DO NOT take any other painkillers without the clearance from the surgeon.
• Eye Ointment. DO NOT apply Ophthalmic Eye Ointment to cover any visible incisions unless cleared by the surgeon.
*Artificial eye drops ( upper lids and lower lids)- use every 2-3 hours as needed for dryness or burning sensation
*Antibiotic eye drops (lower lids only)- use as prescribed on the medication bottle.
• Constipation. Sometimes decreased physical activity as well as pain medications may lead to constipation. Any over the counter stool softener such as Metamucil or Colace can be used.
• Nausea. Some pain medication/antibiotics may make you feel nauseated. It is best to eat something small 20 minutes before taking pain medication. Keep hydrated with small sips of non-caffeinated beverages
• Medications to Avoid. Avoid medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, aleve, aspirin others) for two weeks before and after surgery. These medications will increase bleeding.
• Substances to Avoid. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, for these will dramatically slow the healing process.
NIGHT OF SURGERY
• Ice Compresses. Apply ice compresses made of gauze sponges that are dipped into iced water (not an ice bag) to your eyes for 15-20 minutes every hour for the first two days while you are awake.
• Head Elevation. Stay upright and do not lay flat. Keeping your head elevated will minimize swelling. Continue this for one week.
NUTRITION
• Diet. A light low-fat diet is best after surgery. You may start a regular diet after your surgery as long as you are not feeling nauseated or vomiting.
• Hydration. Stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol for 48 hours and while you are still having to take pain medications.
BATHING • You may wash your hair and face the next day after your eyelid surgery. Do not cleanse the eye area and avoid submerging your face in water.
• Hot Tubs/Baths/Swimming Pools. No tub baths or Jacuzzi until your incisions have healed, and approved by your surgeon.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR INCISIONS
• Cleaning your incisions. Occasionally, crusting will occur around the sutures. This is normal and will resolve. You can gently wash your eyes with baby shampoo and clean your incision with hydrogen peroxide on a q-tip if this occurs. Do not try to pull off any crusts. Showering daily will minimize crusting.
• Sun Exposure. Avoid and minimize sun exposure. Even a mild sunburn can worsen swelling and irritate an incision that is healing.
• Scar gel. Do not apply unless cleared by the surgeon.
Healing stages
• Swelling and Discoloration. It is completely normal for your eyes to appear swollen as well as have purple-bluish bruising around the eye and eyelid. The bruising will be greater on the second and third day after your surgery. This is temporary and over the course of the next 1-2 weeks this will improve. Cool compresses will minimize swelling and bruising.
• Mild Bleeding. Some mild bleeding is not unusual at the incision sites the first few days after surgery. If you try to do strenuous activity, increase your blood pressure by straining on the toilet, sneezing, heavy lifting or bending forward you will aggravate the bleeding and swelling.
• Numbness around the eyes. Parts of the eyelids may feel “numb” or lumpy after the eyelid operation. This is temporary and to be expected and may take months to feel normal again.
• Pain and Itching. You may experience some itching during the healing process. This is normal and it starts after 5-7 days and will resolve in a few weeks.
• Blurry Vision. Patients often experience some blurring of vision for 2-3 days after surgery. This is generally due to swelling and/or ointments that have been used during surgery.
• Suture. We use absorbable suture but at your first post-op office visit your sutures will be removed if needed and the progress of your healing will be assessed. Sutures are usually removed 5-7 days after your procedure. Subsequent office visits are important in order to monitor proper healing.
• Weak or Dizzy. You may experience some weakness or dizziness- this is rare. This may be more evident if you try to stand up too quickly. Take a minute to go from lying down to standing. The sensation of feeling lightheaded will get better in a few days as well as by staying well hydrated.
• Scars. After all stitches have been removed, the scars will appear a deep pink color. With time, the pink will fade and become white, the firmness of the scar will soften, and they will become less noticeable. There will be “bumps” on the entry points of the sutures that will clear over time. Each individual varies with respect to healing, but it takes approximately a year for these changes to occur and the scars to look their best. Once your surgeon advises you, you may apply a Silicon based scar gel to your scar for enhanced healing.
• Final Result. Expect to see your final result from 4 weeks up to one year as the healing process takes time.
ACTIVITY
• Glasses. You may wear sunglasses and eyeglasses the day after surgery
• Limit Strain on the Eyes. The less TV, computers, phones and other screen devices the less strain on your eyes and better your healing and recovery.
• Driving. Do NOT operate a vehicle or make important decisions until you have been off pain medications for 24 hours. Use good judgment.
• Return to work. Most patients require approximately 2-7 days off work depending on their job responsibilities. Depending on the amount of physical contact your job involves and also the amount of swelling and discoloration you develop you can decide when you are ready to be in the public eye.
• Exercise. Normal activity can be resumed a few days after surgery. You can resume an exercise regimen in approximately 3 weeks after surgery, though start easy and build back up to your previous exercise levels. Just know that swelling may transiently be worse with exercise.
• Travel. Automobile travel can resume immediately. Airline travel is restricted until 1 week post op. You will notice increased swelling with airline travel and this can happen even 6-8 weeks post op related to the pressure changes that occur.
DON'TS
• DO NOT place anything frozen directly on the skin.
• DO NOT submerge your face in water or get your eyelid incisions wet while the incisions are still healing.
• DO NOT take Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen or other blood thinners until your surgeon advises you it is safe.
• DO NOT apply make-up to the incision lines or the eyelids for one month.
• DO NOT wear fake eyelashes or contact lenses for two weeks.
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS – WHEN TO CALL THE EMERGENCY NUMBER OF DR. ARAYA (202-340-8856) OR GO TO THE HOSPITAL. Emergencies are rare for lid surgeries.
• Signs of Infection. Spreading redness, worsening swelling, increased drainage or drainage of pus, worsening pain and warmth at incision site. Temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Excessive Bleeding. Bleeding that persists after applying pressure for 20 minutes.
• Medication Reactions. If you develop hives, rashes or itching you may be having a medication allergic reaction.
Most of all, BE PATIENT during the healing process. If you have further questions, you are urged to call the office at 202-452-1332 or call/text the Surgeon. We are here to help you through each step of the way!
