Top Procedure : Double eyelid surgery

Double eyelid surgery

Double eyelid surgery can offer both natural, beautiful, and functional results as patients who have single eyelids may overhang impairing vision slightly. Hence, creating a double eyelid will help eyes look fuller and more beautiful, while also making opening the eyelids much easier. Some people might feel a lack of self-esteem due to their eyelids looking one-dimensional. For those affected in this way, double eyelid surgery can restore confidence.

Before performing double eyelid surgery, an assessment of the eyelids involves looking at their shape and form to see how large or small the adjustment is must be conducted. Once that process is complete, the surgeon will explain the double eyelid procedure according to a customized plan, which is specifically tailored to each individual patient, before surgery can take place.

There are three types of double eyelid surgery

1. Full Incision: This technique is best suited for those patients with excess fat and skin in the upper eyelid. This method provides the most permanent results of the three methods listed here, however, because there is an incision throughout most of the length of the new eyelid crease, there will be a visible scar. 
2. Partial Incision: This technique is best suited for those patients without excess skin but does have excess fat within their eyelids. Or the patient that has neither excess fat nor skin but desires more reliable and durable results in comparison to the Non-Incisional method described below.  The main benefit of this method is minimal scarring. Your plastic surgeon will create an incision along the upper border of the new eyelid crease but will keep the length of this incision as short as possible. This small incision will serve as your surgeon’s operative access point to remove excess fat. Because this small incision provides a much smaller surgical window than the full incisional method, it is a more difficult operation. 
3. No Incision: This method is ideal for patients that do not have excess fat or skin in their eyelids. The main advantage is the absence of an incisional scar and minimal to absent swelling. However, this method is not as resilient as the incisional methods and may produce a double eyelid that unfolds in the future. 

What to prepare before double eyelid surgery?

Before scheduling blepharoplasty, you will meet with the plastic surgeon and an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) or a plastic surgeon who specializes in eye surgeries (oculoplastic surgeon) to discuss:

• Your medical history. Your surgeon will ask questions about previous surgeries and past or current conditions, such as dry eyes, glaucoma, allergies, circulatory problems, thyroid problems, and diabetes. Your doctor will also ask about your use of medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.

• Your expectations. An honest discussion of your hopes and motivation for surgery will help set the stage for a satisfactory outcome. Your surgeon will discuss with you whether the procedure is likely to work well for you.

Before your eyelid surgery, you'll undergo:

• A physical examination. Your surgeon will conduct a physical examination, which may include testing your tear production and measuring parts of your eyelids.
• A vision examination. Your eye doctor will examine your eyes and test your vision, including your peripheral vision. This is needed to support an insurance claim.
• Eyelid photography. Your eyes will be photographed from different angles. These photos help with planning the surgery, assessing its immediate and long-term effects, and supporting an insurance claim.

And you'll be asked to:

• Stop taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), naproxen (Naprosyn), and any other medication or herbal supplement associated with increased bleeding. Ask your doctor how long before surgery you need to stop taking these medicines. Take only medications approved by your surgeon.
• Quit smoking several weeks before your surgery. Smoking can reduce your ability to heal after surgery.
• Arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery if you're having outpatient surgery. Plan to have someone stay with you for the first night after returning home from surgery.

What to expect after the surgery

After surgery, you spend time in a recovery room, where you are monitored for complications. You can leave later that day to recuperate at home. After surgery you may temporarily experience:

• Blurred vision from the lubricating ointment applied to your eyes
• Swelling and bruising, similar to having black eyes
• Pain or discomfort

Your doctor will likely suggest you take the following steps after surgery:

• Use ice packs on your eyes for 10 minutes every hour the night after surgery. The following day, use ice packs on your eyes four to five times throughout the day.
• Gently clean your eyelids and use prescribed eye drops or ointments.
• Avoid exercising for a week
• Avoid smoking and drinking.
• If you use contact lenses, don't put them in for about two weeks after surgery.
• Wear darkly tinted sunglasses to protect the skin of your eyelids from sun and wind.
• Sleep with your head raised higher than your chest for a few days.
• Apply cool compresses to reduce swelling.
• After a few days, return to the doctor's office to have stitches removed, if needed.
• For about a week, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), naproxen (Naprosyn), and other medications or herbal supplements that may increase bleeding. If needed, use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) to control pain.