Blepharoplasty in Phoenix and Sun City West
Treatment for Droopy Eyelids
Blepharoplasty is a procedure used to address heavy eyelids due to excess skin that can cause vision difficulties in addition to cosmetic insecurities. While sagging skin around the eyes is commonly seen as an individual naturally ages, it is not often a welcomed change. Fortunately, the plastic surgery specialists at Oculoplastic Eye Surgeons Of Phoenix can help!
Dr. Lisa Mihora is board certified through the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a fellowship trained Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in Phoenix. Dr. Mihora is expertly trained to treat droopy eyelids using blepharoplasty procedures. Dr. Mihora sees patients from Sun City West, Surprise, Peoria, Glendale, and throughout the West Valley. Call our eye clinic at (623) 522-8687 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Mihora today!
What Can Blepharoplasty Treat?
Medical-grade injections like Botox and Restalyne can deliver substantial amounts of improvement to the appearance of the upper and lower eye area, but are not a permanent solution. Patients are often recommended for blepharoplasty if they have:
- Baggy upper eyelids
- Excess skin on the upper eyelids
- Fatty deposits in the eyelids
- Heavy bags and wrinkles under the eyes
- Excess skin that hangs below the eyes
Other Characteristics of an Ideal Candidate
In addition to experiencing common symptoms of eye discomfort and loss of visibility, it is important for patients to meet several criteria that will ensure they have a low risk for potential complications both during and after the blepharoplasty. As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks that individuals must consider before scheduling their surgery date, including:
- Being a nonsmoker
- Having no related medical conditions that may negatively influence your results
- Being aware of appropriate after-care that will be needed
Consulting with Dr. Mihora
If you have questions about blepharoplasty, or are interested in learning more about how you can treat concerns over your facial features, please contact Oculoplastic Eye Surgeons Of Phoenix today to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Mihora.
During this visit, Dr. Mihora will review your unique case and discuss expectations of treatment. If blepharoplasty is indeed an option, further evaluations and examinations will be needed to discover if you are a candidate for this surgical procedure. It is important to share any and all relevant information with Dr. Mihora, as this will help to achieve the desired look while also limiting potential complications.
Recovery & Results
After a blepharoplasty has been completed, patients should expect significant swelling and soreness of the area within the first 10-14 days. Because the skin around the eyes is extremely delicate, it will take several weeks for the incisions to heal completely.
Patients are advised to carefully follow the recovery guidelines given to them by Dr. Mihora. If for any reason abnormal side effects occur, be sure to contact Oculoplastic Eye Surgeons Of Phoenix immediately to discuss your symptoms with a medical professional and determine if additional care is needed. Regular check-ups will of course be scheduled with a plastic surgeon to review the results of the procedure at various stages and give the patient an opportunity to address any new concerns.
Eyelid Surgery Post-Operative Instructions
What To Expect after Your Procedure
- Patients can expect redness and swelling around the incision areas. The eyes
may tear. Any dryness that occurs in the eye area can be alleviated by ointment.
However, patients may experience a temporary blurring of vision as a result of
using the ointment. - The eyelids typically feel tight; accompanying soreness may be treated with
analgesics like Acetaminophen (Tylenol). The incisions should be treated with
ointment to keep them lubricated. Cold compresses can be placed on the eyes to
reduce swelling as well. Eye drops may be necessary to help keep the eyes from
drying out. Also, swelling and bruising can be minimized by keeping the head
elevated as much as possible during the first few days of recovery. - Throughout the first couple weeks after the surgery, avoid any activities that
increase blood flow to the eyes, including bending, lifting, sporting activities or
any other strenuous activity.
What To Do at Home
- Take pain medication/s as needed.
- Keep sutures/stitches lubricated with the ophthalmic ointment prescribed three (3) the four (4) times a day.
- Use cold compresses/ice packs/bag of frozen vegetables, to help reduce swelling and bruising. Try 20 minutes each hour for the first 3 days.
- Do not use makeup.
- Do not use contact lenses.
- No swimming or hot tubs (just don’t submerge for the first 2 weeks).
- No sunburns … sun may increase scar lines.
- Try not to sleep on operative side – use multiple pillows to elevate head of bed.
Post-op Dry Eye Care
- Dry eye symptoms may increase after eyelid surgery. Raising your eyelids will expose more of your eye to the environment causing temporary increased dryness.
- After surgery, it is important to keep your eyes lubricated. We live in the desert, dry eye prevention is key.
- Use over the counter artificial tears at least three times a day. Don’t use a drop designed to “get the red out”. Gel drops work really well.
- Cool the drops in the refrigerator for additional relief.
- The prescribed ointment for your stitches are safe to put in your eyes. Use this at night to lubricate your eyes.
- If dryness does not improve, use the ointment every two hours.
- If symptoms do not improve in 5-7 days, call the office to schedule an appointment.
Dry Eye Care Instructions
- Use over-the-counter artificial tears or gel drops 3-4 times a day. Do not use anything that states “Gets the red out”. Over-the-counter preservative free drops can be used 3- 4 times per day as well.
- Take a Omega-3 fish oil dry eye supplement to support healthy tears such as Focus Re- lief.
- Wait 5 minutes between multiple drops so the previous drop has time to absorb.
- Dr. Mihora may prescribe Restasis or Xidra. Use as directed.
- Moisture goggles can be purchased on Amazon.com to be worn at night.
- Punctal plugs can be placed to hold tears longer.
- Use a humidifier to increase the amount of moisture in the air.
- Call if you have any complications. 623-522-8687
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you have baggy eyelids or excess skin around your eyes, Dr. Mihora can help! Call Oculoplastic Eye Surgeons Of Phoenix at (623) 522-8687 and schedule your blepharoplasty consultation today! We have clinics in North Phoenix and Sun City.
