EYELID SURGERY

Risks of Blepharoplasty
When eyelid surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Parson, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, complications can occur including bleeding, infection, reactions to the anesthetic medications, temporary problems with excessive tearing, prominence or firmness of the scars, asymmetry in healing or scarring, and milia or whiteheads where the sutures emanate from the skin. After the procedure, some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes completely while they sleep; in rare cases, this condition may be permanent. Another rare condition is ectropion, or a pulling down of the lower lids. Further surgery may be required to correct many of these complications.

The Pre-Operative Period
It is imperative that patients refrain from ingesting any medications or other substances which could potentially be the cause of surgical complications. A list of medications should be reviewed and discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to the operation. Patients are seen just prior to their surgery date for a general physical examination to ensure that no underlying medical problems exist which may interfere with the safety of their surgery. Prescriptions for antibiotics and for pain medication will be written, so that you have your medication when you return home from the operation.

Pre-operative photographs are taken so that you can see the improvement from your surgery afterwards. We generally take post-operative photographs at 3 months after your procedure. You will be asked to sign a surgical consent which enumerates the risks of the procedure in detail. These risks are also discussed at the consultation.

You will be asked to pay your surgical fee at your pre-operative visit. You will need to arrange for an escort to drive you to and from the surgery center. Patients cannot operate motor vehicles after surgery, and we will not place recently sedated patients into taxis for transport home. We can arrange for medical transport in the event you cannot find an escort. It is a good idea to have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery for your comfort and safety.

The Day of Surgery
Prior to giving you any sedation, Dr. Parson will carefully mark the skin incisions with a marking pen, following your natural skin creases, so as to minimize visibility of the scars after surgery. The remainder of the surgery will be performed under a general anesthetic.

The excess skin, muscle, and fat are removed once the area is completely numb. Much of the operation is done with a very fine electrocautery, which controls any bleeding. The skin is then closed with very fine sutures. Occasionally, the lower eyelid is very lax, and removal of any amount of skin could result in a pulling down of the lid, or ectropion. In this circumstance, the doctor may elect to perform what is called a lateral canthoplasty. In this procedure, the actual lid structure is tightened up to the bone of the eye socket near the outer corner. This may result in a change in the shape of your eyelid, which can be permanent, and will lengthen your recovery. There is an additional fee for this procedure as well.

Following your procedure, you will be monitored briefly in our recovery room, and will then be discharged into the company of an adult escort. Post-operative instructions will be given to that person and to you in writing.

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