Do I need anesthesia for cosmetic eyelid surgery?
When done alone, the upper eyelids are done under a local anesthetic and takes less about twenty minutes to complete. The lower eyelids, however, are best performed under i.v. sedation or general anesthesia.
How long is the recovery for cosmetic eyelid surgery?
Cosmetic eyelid surgery is a quick recovery. There is minimal discomfort, and mild to moderate swelling. Recovery for upper eyelids is about 2-3 days and lower eyelids about 5-7 days. Recovery time can vary, however when additional procedures are done simultaneously.
Can I still wear my contacts after blepharoplasty surgery?
Specifically, with lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Pratt prefers that eyeglasses be worn in lieu of contact lenses for the first two weeks after surgery. The downward pulling of the lower eyelid that occurs when inserting a contact lens should be avoided for about 14 days.
How long does cosmetic eyelid surgery take?
Upper eyelid surgery takes approximately 20 minutes to perform and lower eyelid surgery takes about between 1-1.5hrs to complete.
What are some of the risks of blepharoplasty surgery?
Dr. Pratt uses corneal protectors on his patients to help prevent the risk of scratching the surface of the eyeball during surgery. Corneal protectors look like oversized contact lenses that act as protective shields during surgery that are placed on the eye during surgery. The sensation of watery eyes, or excessive tearing can be a common occurrence for the first 2-3 weeks following lower eyelid surgery. Ironically, the treatment for this is to supplement the eyes with artificial tears for a short period of time following surgery.