January 2021

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Why a Facial Plastic Surgeon Should Perform Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery

Blepharoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed today. This procedure, performed on the upper or lower eyelids, has such a profound effect that it can bring new energy to the entire face. That is if all goes well.

The fact is, any surgical procedure that is performed has inherent risks. Every plastic surgeon who has practiced has experienced undesirable outcomes or some type of surgical complication. With experience, this rate decreases significantly. When performed by a well-trained, experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeon, eyelid rejuvenation can achieve outstanding results with little risk of untoward outcomes. To complete their training, an oculofacial plastic surgeon spends 3 to 5 years focusing exclusively on the eyes, eyelids, and periocular region. This is not to say that risks do not exist but that they are rare. This is especially relevant as it pertains to the risk of unsatisfactory results.

Blepharoplasty Complications: What Are They?

We periodically see patients who are unhappy with the results achieved with blepharoplasty. Revision surgery is possible in most cases after a thorough consultation and examination are performed. Common blepharoplasty complications include:

  • Inability to close the eyes completely. This complication is related to aggressive skin excision.
  • Retraction (pulling down) of the lower eyelid. This is related to aggressive skin excision.
  • Ectropion. When too much skin is removed, the lower eyelid may pull away from the eyeball.
  • Sunken appearance, caused by the excessive removal of fat.
  • Failure to correct weakness in the levator muscle of the upper eyelid.

The complications that occur when too much tissue is excised during blepharoplasty do not relate only to the cosmetic outcome of surgery. If the eyelids cannot close properly or pull away from the eye, irritation, dryness, and excessive tearing may result. Revision blepharoplasty, then, must be carefully planned and carried out in a manner that revolves around the understanding of the problem. A facial plastic surgeon with additional training in oculoplastic surgery should be able to identify the cause of the unsatisfactory outcome and design revision to correct not only the sub-optimal surgical result but also the problem that may not have been accurately addressed in the original procedure.

At Fante Eye & Face Centre in Denver, our physicians have extensive training and clinical experience to support optimal blepharoplasty results. To schedule your visit, call (303) 839-1616.

What Causes the Eyelids to Droop?

Reconstructive Services

No two people are exactly alike. Every one of us has a unique facial structure and aging process. These sound like vague statements but, to the plastic surgeon, they are guiding principles. When a patient visits our Denver practice to correct droopy eyelids, we keep these principles at the forefront of our minds. Here, we discuss what causes the eyelids to droop and what a skilled plastic surgeon does to correct this problem.

The undereye area is one that can become puffy with age. The upper eyelids; they droop. They can look heavy and redundant, obscuring the natural crease of the eyelid. When the upper eyelids are droopy, the face can look sleepy, tired, or angry. It isn’t the drooping itself that causes the face to look a certain way, it is the angle and severity of the heaviness that occurs. In some instances, hooded upper eyelids are the natural, hereditary appearance. Often, the problem develops as the skin thins and sags due to a loss of collagen. However, we must also recognize that the eyelids do not live in a bubble. They are not solitary and are affected by surrounding structures. This is an important piece of information for a plastic surgeon to acknowledge because it may drive treatment planning.

Lifting the eyelids can do wonders for the appearance of the face. Hence, the popularity of the blepharoplasty procedure. However, we cannot look at blepharoplasty as a definitive solution for every person. In addition to existing alongside the ligaments and bones of the eye socket, the eyelids are also part of a continuum of tissue that includes the eyebrows and forehead. As such, a loss of volume, elasticity, firmness, and integrity of these areas is bound to contribute to the drooping of the upper eyelid.

Addressing Eyelid Drooping the Right Way

The eyelids are not immune to age-related changes. Nor is eyelid droop a problem in itself. Therefore, a plastic surgeon will observe more than the eyelids when consulting with a patient about eyelid rejuvenation. They will look at the position of the lash line of the upper eyelid in relation to the pupil, the quantity and quality of skin and fat on the upper eyelid, and brow position. The thoroughness of this evaluation can identify the true cause or combination of causes that have led to drooping upper eyelids.

Are you concerned about drooping upper eyelids? Let’s chat! Contact us at (303) 839-1616 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Fante.

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Location Map: 4500 Cherry Creek Drive S, Denver, CO 80246

4500 Cherry Creek Drive S, Suite 550
Denver, CO 80246

303-839-1616

303-839-1991

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