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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.
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, 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.
Are you tired of being asked, "Why are you so tired?". 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 present for consultation, having apparent fifty to sixty year old looking eyelids. Utilizing the laser diamond scalpel by Clinicon, Dr. Chernoff has developed a procedure which dramatically reduces the bruising and swelling following eyelid surgery. For the upper eyelids, an incision is placed in the natural skin crease. The laser diamond 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 pleasing looking eyes but there is simply too much "curtain around the window".
For the lower eyelid, very seldom are incisions required. Utilizing the laser diamond scalpel, the excess fat can be removed from the inside of the eyelid. Often, at the same time, once the fat is removed an abundance of fine wrinkles exist, laser exfoliation of the lower eyelids is utilized 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. For both eyelids if incisions are placed, very small stitches are placed which are removed in one weeks' time. Once again, computer imaging is utilized to give the patients a realistic impression as to what can be achieved.
WHAT ABOUT 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 diamond scalpel heals blood vessels as it touches them, there is less bleeding, swelling, and bruising than with conventional "cold steel" surgery. This provides enhanced visualization 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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