The Benefits of Eye Lift Surgery in Toronto

Corrective Eyelid Surgery by Toronto Facial Cosmetic Surgeon

As the eyes are the most expressive of our features, any distortion around the eyes can mask or alter our expressions.  Wrinkles and bulges on the upper or lower eyelids occur either because of hereditary factors or aging.  The protrusions of fat above and below the eye produce pouches.

When Dr. Conrad removes or repositions this excessive fat along with excessive skin by performing eye lift surgery, the effect is of a refreshed and clearer expression, as well an anti-aging effect.

Upper and lower eyelid surgery is frequently combined with a forehead lift and sometimes with a lower face-lift, in order to achieve a better aesthetic balance of all the facial features.

Eye Lift Surgery in TOronto:

Before eyelift surgery, an eye doctor will be asked to examine your eyes to make certain that there are no reasons to avoid the procedure.

The operation is usually carried out under a local anesthetic following sedation.  Only minor disability accompanies the early recovery from surgery.  Dark sunglasses can be worn from the second post-operative day to camouflage the discoloration and swelling.  This usually disappears within ten days. By that time, make-up can successfully be used to cover thread-thin scars.

With a proper pre-operative assessment and careful surgical technique, serious complications following this operation are extremely rare.  Dr. Conrad encourages you to discuss the details of any possible complication during the pre-operative visit.

The surgery can remove excess skin and bagginess. It cannot prevent the remaining skin from forming small folds with the underlying muscle contraction during smiling or other facial expressions. The "crow's feet" and the fine wrinkles require chemical peeling or laser correction. Alternatively, regular preventative Botox injections have become the most popular and effective cosmetic treatment.

After the eye lift (blepharoplasty) Surgery

During your post-operative visit, usually five to seven days after surgery, the sutures will be removed under magnification with special delicate instruments to minimize discomfort. Sleep with your head elevated thirty to forty degrees for one week. This minimizes the swelling.

After eye lift surgery avoid:

• bending over or lifting heavy objects for one week
• straining at stool.  If you feel constipated, use your usual laxative.
• hitting or bumping your face
• excessive sunning during the first thirty days
• reading or watching television for prolonged periods during the first two weeks after surgery. This will minimize eye strain and headaches.

After eye lift surgery do not:

• tweeze the eyebrows for two weeks
• use a high heat hair dryer
• apply hair colouring sooner than three weeks after the operation
• participate in any athletic activities for at least one month after surgery
• use contact lenses earlier than ten days after surgery
• apply eye shadow and false eyelashes until ten days after surgery

After eye lift surgery you may:

• have your hair washed two days after all the sutures are removed
• take a shower or bath (not too hot and not too long) the day after surgery without getting your eyes wet
• gently cleanse your face with cotton tipped applicators
• wear eyeglasses or sunglasses the day following surgery

eye lift surgery - Dr Conrad would like you to know

• Bleeding and infection are relatively infrequent and constitute a possible complication of almost every operative procedure.
• The operation is not carried out on the eyeball and therefore visual impairment is a very remote possibility. The application of ointment, usually used during the first seven days, frequently causes slight temporary blurring of vision. There may be a temporary downward or forward displacement of the lower lid. This is a result of swelling or poor muscle tone. It improves by gentle massage or exercise when the swelling is dispersed and the muscle tone returns to normal. In rare instances insertion of contact lenses may become more difficult due to a tightened eyelid muscle. This improves with time.
• Poor scarring is uncommon and even then can be easily covered by light make-up.
• There are other numerous remote possible complications, which are statistically insignificant.
• Dr. Conrad will be pleased to answer any specific questions you may have during your consultation visit. 

Transconjunctival eye lift (Blepharoplasty)

The advantages of this operation over transcutaneous (through the skin) lower eyelid blepharoplasty are substantial and include:

• No external scar
• Less invasive to middle layers of eyelid, leaving them functionally intact
• No risk of lower eyelid retraction (lower eyelid pulled down)
• No chance of lower eyelid ectropion (lower eyelid pulled away from eye)
• More precise fat sculpting during removal
• Less bruising and swelling
• Less chance of major orbital bleeding and vision loss
• More rapid recovery
• Safer for reoperations in patients who have had previous lid surgery
• No chance of aggravating lid retraction with age