Cincinnati Plastic Surgery Specialists in Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Thank you for considering UC Health Plastic Surgery for your plastic surgery procedure. We offer a safe, comfortable atmosphere in our modern, state-of-the-art facility located in West Chester, Ohio, convenient to both Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. We offer a friendly staff of nurses and administrative support to help with your scheduling issues and questions.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Eyelid Surgery is one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures done in the United States today. Droopy upper eyelids, puffy lower eyelids and a tired look are common concerns addressed with eyelid surgery. The goal of the procedure is to improve appearance by removing or rearranging the tissue around the eyes. In extreme cases, peripheral vision may be improved by eyelid surgery.
Procedure Benefits
Reduction of:
- Loose skin on your upper eyelids.
- Puffiness or “bags” on your upper and lower eyelids.
- “Raccoon eyes” (circles around the eyes).
Private Consultation
You will first consult with your surgeon on the current shape of your eyelids as well as your goals and expectations. You should be ready to discuss your complete medical history, including allergies, whether you are taking any vitamins or medications (over-the-counter or prescription), whether you smoke, drink, or have any vision problems. Your surgeon will also need to know whether you have any surgical or medical history, especially hypertension, thyroid problems, or diabetes. It will save time if you have your medical records available at the time of your consultation. At your initial consultation, your surgeon will also discuss the cost and any risks involved in the procedure.
Preparation
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before the day of your surgery, but you may take prescription drugs with a small amount of water, and you may brush your teeth the morning of surgery. You should wear a loose fitting shirt that opens from the front so you don’t need to pull it over your head to remove. Please apply no make up the morning of surgery. If you smoke, stop smoking at least one month before surgery. You should also be off any blood thinners including ASA for at least 3 weeks prior to the procedure.
Procedure Overview
The procedure is performed typically in one to two hours as an outpatient surgery in our surgical facility in West Chester. A local anaesthetic with or without intravenous sedation by our certified anaesthetist is used. You may experience some “tugging” or slight discomfort. Typically, the surgeon makes incisions in the creases of your upper lids and just below the lashes in the lower lids, separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and usually trims and tightens any sagging skin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.
Recovery and Healing Time
Cold compresses will serve as the dressing. Your progress will be monitored closely for the first week or longer if needed. You should keep your head elevated and use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. After the anesthesia wears off, any discomfort can be eased with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon. The stitches will be removed anywhere from two days to a week after the procedure. You should limit your physical activities to a minimum during the first week after surgery, and not engage in strenuous activities for about three weeks, especially bending and lifting. You should avoid alcohol, which causes fluid retention and may slow the healing around your eyes. The swelling and bruising around your eyes will then start to go away, and you will be on the road to feeling and looking better. You can expect to face the public within a week to 10 days of the procedure.
Don’t Lose Patience!
While your scars may remain slightly pink for six months or more after surgery, they will fade to a nearly invisible white line. The positive results of your eyelid surgery will last for many years.
Procedure Risks
- Adverse reaction to the anesthesia
- Infection
- Difficulty in closing eyes completely
- Temporary double or blurred vision
- Ectropion (a pulling down of the lower eyelid)
- Slight asymmetry in healing or scarring
UC Health Plastic Surgery in West Chester, has three nationally recognized Cincinnati plastic surgeons.
Located north of Cincinnati, we serve West Chester, Mason, Loveland, Indian Hill and the rest of Greater Cincinnati and Dayton for all of their plastic surgery procedure needs.
