Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty in Plastic Surgery Tijuana is a face procedure to remove excess skin in the upper and lower eyelids, and this is often combined with partial removal or repositioning of the fat pads around the eye which can produce bulging particularly in the lower eyelids.
Patients can elect to rejuvenate only the upper eyelids or the lower eyelids, or they can have blepharoplasty performed on both eyelids during the same appointment.
About The Procedure
During upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Rafael Camberos excises excess skin through an incision positioned along the upper eyelid crease. He will also perform a conservative removal of protruding fat pads.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty involves either laser resurfacing of the lower eyelid skin combined with transconjunctival removal of fat pads, or excision of excess skin through an incision just below the lower eyelid lashes plus conservative removal or repositioning of the fat pads in the lower eyelid area. Which of these techniques is used depends on the amount of excess skin present.
Blepharoplasty can be performed on its own or in combination with other facial plastic surgery procedures such as brow lift, neck liposuction, and lip lift as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation plan.
After The Surgery
Eyelid surgery requires a day’s stay at the hospital. Usually it is performed under general anesthetic, but can be performed under local anesthetic, in certain circumstances. Patients should expect moderate discomfort after surgery, which is adequately controlled by oral medication.
Your eyes may feel sticky for a week or so. Dr. Camberos will show you how to care for them. You should wear sunscreen on your eyelids and sunglasses when you are outside. Avoid contact lenses for about two weeks or until your eyes begin to feel more comfortable.
You should minimize your activities for three to five days. After this, you should be able to read or watch television. Avoid strenuous activities and alcohol for about three weeks.
Eyelid Surgery Information
For more information about eyelid surgery, request a consultation online. Or you can call our office at +1 (619) 598 – 2517 and one of our helpful staff members will schedule your appointment.
- STOP SMOKING: Smoking reduces circulation to the skin and impedes healing. It is best to avoid smoking, second hand smoke and cigarette replacements, such as nicotine patches or gum, in the perioperative period. While you should ideally stop smoking for 2 weeks before and after your surgical procedure, YOU MUST NOT SMOKE FOR A MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS BEFORE AND 24 HOURS AFTER SURGERY.
- TAKE MULTIVITAMINS: Start taking multivitamins twice daily to improve your general health once you have scheduled your surgery.
- TAKE VITAMIN C: Start taking 500 mg of Vitamin C twice daily to promote healing.
- START TAKING AN IRON SUPPLEMENT: A good iron supplement, such as Feosol, is required starting one week before surgery and four weeks following surgery. Bowel movements may appear darker than usual as a result. Feosol is available without prescription.
- DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN: Stop taking medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen. Review the list of drugs containing aspirin and ibuprofen carefully. Such drugs can cause bleeding problems during and after surgery. Instead, use medications containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).
- LIMIT VITAMIN E: Limit your intake of Vitamin E to less than 400 mg per day.
- FILL YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS: You will be given prescriptions for medications. Please have them filled BEFORE the day of surgery and bring them with you.
- CONFIRM SURGERY TIME: We will call you to confirm the time of your surgery. If you are not going to be at home or at your office, please call us to confirm at +1 (619) 598 – 2517.
- PRESCRIPTIONS: Make sure that you have filled the prescriptions you were given and set the medications out to bring with you tomorrow.
- CLEANSING: The night before surgery, shower and wash the surgical areas with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, pHisoHex, or Phase III.
- EATING AND DRINKING: Do not eat or drink anything after 12:00 midnight except for a small amount of water to rinse your mouth while brushing your teeth.
- SPECIAL INFORMATION: Do not eat or drink anything! If you take a daily medication, you may take it with a sip of water in the early morning.
- ORAL HYGIENE: You may brush your teeth but do not swallow the water.
- CLEANSING: Shower and wash the surgical areas again with an antibacterial soap such as Dial, Safeguard, pHisoHex, or Phase Ill.
- MAKE-UP: Please do not wear moisturizers, creams, lotions, or makeup.
- CLOTHING: Wear only comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that does not go over your head. NO TIGHT PANTS. Remove hairpins, wigs, and jewelry. Please do not bring valuables with you.
- CHECK IN/PREPARATION: Surgery Time:
- You should plan to arrive 45 minutes earlier than your scheduled surgery time. Patients less than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. When you arrive at our office on the day of your surgery, give the receptionist the phone number of the pharmacy you would like us to call for any special medications our surgeon and associates might prescribe.
- CARETAKER: Someone must spend the first night after surgery with you.
- Avoid lying down flat. By keeping your head elevated, you can reduce some of the swelling while also being more comfortable. Use 3-4 pillows when sleeping. A 45-degree angle is best and a travel pillow will provide support for your neck. During the first week, make sure to sleep on your back.
- Try not to bend forward or over for the next three weeks as this can increase swelling.
- Eat any food you normally eat.
- Drink water. It is important for you to stay hydrated.
- Don’t remove any adhesive tape placed around your eyes.
- Adhesive tapes and stitches should be removed 7 days after surgery.
- Quit smoking and alcohol for at least 3 months after surgery.
- Contact lenses shouldn’t be worn for 2 weeks.
- Wait at least a week until you start driving again.
- Don’t use any fragrance skincare products. If you feel the need to apply skincare products, do so cautiously and stay away from the incision areas to avoid infection.
- Drink alcoholic beverages only after you have stopped taking your pain medications.