Upper Eyelid Surgery FAQ Videos

How Much Swelling Occurs after Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Any swelling that transpires during or after eyelid surgery is most likely due to the following factors: (1) method of anesthesia, (2) surgical technique, (3) aftercare received after completion of surgery, (4) at home aftercare, and (5) the existence of other disorders such as sinus problems and allergies.

Dr. Amiya Prasad reduces post-surgery swelling by applying his own sedation technique—LITE™ IV sedation, which stands for “local”, “intravenous”, “tumescent/twilight” with “ease of recovery”. This puts the patient in a conscious and relaxed state that is less taxing on the body as compared to being placed under general anesthesia, and more relaxed than with local anesthesia. With this combination of local anesthesia and sedation, patients recover from surgery faster and return to work sooner.

Can I Change my Eye Shape?

Genetic characteristics like: (1) dimension, (2) prominence, and (3) the shape and position of: bones, tissues and ligaments around the eye are what dictate one’s eye shape. Each of these features is uniquely different for everyone, therefore it is important to meet with a specialist to discuss which procedure can give you the most natural-looking results.

Why do My Eyes Look So Tired? Should I See an Eye Surgeon or a Plastic Surgeon?

Eyes can look tired because of saggy eyelids and bulging under eye bags, making them look heavy. Dr. Amiya Prasad, an Oculofacial plastic surgeon for over 20 years, recommends seeing a skilled specialist with a lot of experience with these types of surgery. While it is all too easy to be swayed by terms like “Board Certified”, it must be said that this term is not solely indicative of any specialized training or expertise in the area. Dr. Prasad advises that patients be prudent and do some research before undergoing any kind of surgery. Remember, eye surgery that is poorly done can seriously affect the health and function of the eyes.

How are Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery Performed?

Dr. Amiya Prasad accomplishes blepharoplasty with intravenous LITE™ IV sedation method, which puts patients in a conscious but relaxed state. This method allows patients to recuperate from surgery much faster than they would, had they been placed under general anesthesia, or under local anesthesia only where are conscious but can be nervous and fidgety.

Irregularities with the eyelid crease and extra skin on the eyelid are addressed by an upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Fat sculpting around the eye area may also be done. Eye bags, on the other hand, are addressed with lower eyelid blepharoplasty, and can be done from a transcutaneous (outside) approach or transconjunctival (inside) approach. Regardless of which procedure you decide to have, make sure to meet with a surgeon with advanced eyelid surgery skills to avoid further complications.

What are the Risks of Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery can incur the following risks: (1) bleeding, (2) infection, (3) drooping of the upper eyelids after surgery, (4) skin shortage that prevents full eyelid closure, (5) unwanted scarring, (6) lower eyelid retraction, (7) ectropion, (8) dry eyes and, (9) corneal ulceration. To avoid these risks, make sure to have a comprehensive medical evaluation of your eyes before having surgery. A thorough checkup should comprise of a diagnosis of any prevailing eye issues, such as ptosis or lacrimal gland prolapse.

How are Eyelid Surgery Scars Minimized?

Post-surgery scarring can be prevented through: (1) meticulous planning, (2) minimally traumatic surgery and, (3) speedy post-operative care.

When performing lower blepharoplasty, Dr. Amiya Prasad favors the transconjunctival approach, as it is doesn’t compromise the sensitive areas of the lower eye and leaves no outside incisions on the skin. When performing upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Prasad engages an artistic approach when determining where to place the incisions in a way that will render them barely perceptible once healed, even when the eyes are closed. After surgery, Dr. Prasad uses a suturing technique to close the incision and administers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to quicken the healing process. This arrangement, along with proper home aftercare, has helped patients get better faster and with less scarring.

Do I Have Eyelid Ptosis, Extra Skin, or Both?

Ptosis, a disorder caused by a weakened levator muscle, is present if the border of the upper eyelid looks lower than normal. A patient who has extra skin weighing over the upper eyelid shows symptoms of dermatochalasis. Ptosis can be corrected by having ptosis surgery, and the extra skin over the eyelids can be addressed with an upper eyelid blepharoplasty. In cases where both symptoms are present, both surgical procedures can be accomplished.

Are the Results of Eyelid Surgery Permanent?

Results of eyelid surgery can last anywhere between 5-10 years, given the subsequent conditions: (1) the patient’s age at the time of the surgery, (2) the patient’s overall health, and (3) the state of the patient’s skin. Oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Amiya Prasad makes it his priority to help patients understand how our faces age, how this affects the results of surgery, and what kind of realistic expectations they must foster.

How Do I Prepare Before Eyelid Surgery?

Before having eyelid surgery, disclosing the following information is of utmost importance: (1) your overall health status, (2) if you have any prevailing conditions or ailments, (3) if you are taking any prescription medicine or supplements, and (4) if you have or had any eye disorders such as dry eyes or blepharitis. By disclosing these, you’re providing your surgeon valuable information that will help diagnose and treat your case more efficiently, without incurring any additional complications. The more comprehensive you are about your medical history, the more advantageous it will be for both you and your surgeon.

What are the Potential Eyelid Surgery Complications?

Some of the most common complications patients may experience are: (1) droopy upper eyelids, (2) skin shortage that hampers the eye from closing fully, (3) lower eyelid scleral show, (4) lower eyelid retraction, and (5) ectropion. To prevent problems like these, engage the services of a surgeon who has significant experience with these types of eye surgery, as you will be guaranteed that he will have a deeper and more wide-ranging level of training and knowledge in the field. Seek out a surgeon who will also be dedicated to understanding the kind of results you’d like to see.

Which Doctor is Best for Eyelid Surgery?

The first step to finding the best doctor for your case is to do research. Eye surgery is a very multifaceted procedure, and it calls for skills and knowledge that most general surgeons simply do not have; thus it is critical to look for a professional with the suitable training background to do the job for you. How much experience a doctor has is another significant value to consider. As a practicing Oculofacial plastic surgeon for over 20 years, Dr. Amiya Prasad prioritizes educating his patients about eyelid surgery so they can make knowledgeable decisions.

What Type of Anesthesia is Best for Eyelid Surgery?

As a practicing Oculofacial plastic surgeon for over 20 years, Dr. Amiya Prasad developed his own method of sedation for surgical procedures – LITE™ anesthesia. LITE™ anesthesia stands for “local”, “intravenous”, “tumescent/twilight” with “ease of recovery”. This type of sedation technique puts the patient in a relaxed, sleepy state, yet still conscious as the procedure is being done. After decades of experience, Dr. Prasad has found, this method much less demanding on the body, as opposed to the effects of general anesthesia where recovery time is longer, and safer than local anesthesia where a patient is awake, but not relaxed during surgery.

I have Dark Skin. Is Upper Eyelid Surgery Safe for Me? I Don’t want Keloids.

Keloids in darker skinned individuals can be prevented if extra precaution is taken. In an article written by Dr. Amiya Prasad entitled, “Ethnic Considerations in Eyelid Surgery”, he explains that a deep understanding of the skin type, facial anatomy and optimum positioning of incisions on darker skinned people can help prevent the formation of keloids. It is therefore worthwhile to seek out a surgeon with noteworthy experience in treating darker skinned people and who allocates the needed time to fully evaluate a patient’s case, and understand the kind of results they want.

When can I Go Back to Work after Eyelid Surgery?

In order to lessen the downtime after surgery, Dr. Amiya Prasad developed his own treatment system which helps patients recover faster. It all begins in his Joint Commission-approved operating facilities, where all his surgeries are performed with the aid of a highly proficient team of nurses who he regularly works with. Many years of experience has revealed that working in your own private facilities with a team you’re accustomed to makes surgical procedures flow faster and smoother. When surgery is completed, speedy one-on-one aftercare is given to the patient. This has also been shown to help patients recover faster. Patients are usually able to go back to work within one week.

Is Eyelid Surgery Safe if I have Dry Eyes?

Dr. Amiya Prasad has successfully performed eyelid surgery on many patients with severe cases of dry eyes, and even on patients with Sjogrens syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid eye disease. Eyelid surgery can be done safely on patients with dry eyes, given that proper precautions are taken. Before having eye surgery, patients are assessed in order to determine the most ideal position for the lower eyelid, which will better enable proper lubrication of the eyes.

What’s Better for Hooded Eyes: Lasers or Surgery?

Using heated laser and radiofrequency devices to fix hooded eyes could take several sessions, simply because of the amount of excess skin that needs to be lifted. To add to that, hooded eyes usually have fatty areas that needs to be sculpted and manipulated—something that can only be done by means of surgery. The precise handling of these fatty areas through surgery often leads to better results.

Do Radio Frequency Devices Work for Hooded Eyes?

High heat radiofrequency treatments can accelerate the aging process even more because instead of tightening the essential layer of fat under the skin, the amount of heat dispelled on the skin tends to burn or even “cook” it. Keep in mind that more heat does not mean the skin is being tightened even more. To prevent such damage from happening and to preserve your skin’s quality, an upper eyelid blepharoplasty is recommended for hooded eyes.

What is Eyelid Surgery Recovery Like When Performed by Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Amiya Prasad

Successful ptosis surgery is dictated by the following factors:
(1) The kind of surgery
(2) Whether other surgeries are performed alongside it
(3) The kind of anesthesia used
(4) The surgical team
(5) The surgical technique used
(6) The post-operative care

Dr. Amiya Prasad has worked out a sedation method that is specifically for his practice. This method, called LITE™ IV sedation, lets patients recover from surgery without the heavy, groggy feeling associated with general anesthesia. It has been shown that this sedation method also decreases the post-surgery downtime period.

To keep surgical procedures running efficiently, Dr. Prasad operates in his own Joint Commission-accredited operating facilities with a regular team of highly adept professionals. Working in this kind of setting makes everything immensely convenient for both the surgical team and patient, because they are able to give patients the speedy care they need. This has been proven to ultimately lead to an improved recovery experience for patients, and they are usually able to work again after 5-7 days.

Dr. Prasad emphasizes that with any kind of surgery, technical know-how, experience, and an artistic eye are requisite. He also stresses that exposure to various cases is of immense value to a surgeon’s ability respond appropriately and to make more accurate decisions.

Plastic Surgeon, Ophthalmologist, or Eyelid Specialist for Eyelid Surgery?

Due to financial reasons, there have been some surgeons who assert their own superiority over other groups of surgeons, using terms such as “Board-certified surgeon” in an effort to gain more clients. As a practicing Oculofacial plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Amiya Prasad has constantly entertained patients seeking revision surgery for eyelids due to bad surgical jobs that were performed by general surgeons touting the “Board-certified” label. Dr. Prasad encourages patients to do research and be more discerning when it comes to choosing a surgeon, and emphasizes that the term “Board-certified” alone is not indicative of any superior technical skills.

How Can I Tell if I Need Blepharoptosis or Blepharoplasty?

The positioning of the eyelid margin relative to the pupil is a deciding factor on whether you will need blepharoptosis repair or blepharoplasty.

Blepharoptosis is defined by the eyelid margin being lower than it normally is, leading to tired and sleepy looking eyes. Dermatochalasis, on the other hand, refers to excess skin that weighs down on the eyelids and gives eyes a hooded appearance. Dermatochalasis can be easily corrected by undergoing blepharoplasty. In some cases, the presence of ptosis can be overlooked, especially when a plastic surgeon incorrectly assumes that a blepharoplasty will fix the problem of drooping eyelids. In other cases, it is not uncommon to find the presence of both dermatochalasis and blepharoptosis in a patient, although this can prove to be a little tricky when devising a surgical plan for.

What is the Difference Between an Eyelid Lift, Blepharoplasty, and Ptosis Surgery?

Eyelid lifts are executed to eliminate or sculpt the excess skin and fat around the eye area, while blepharoplasty is performed on the upper and lower eyelids to address issues concerning extra skin and displaced fat pockets, as well as other structural issues. Patients may choose to have an upper or lower eyelid blepharoplasty, or both. On the other hand, ptosis surgery is a procedure specifically intended to improve the positioning of the eyelid margin relative to the pupil. Supplementary treatments may also include levator muscle advancement, levator resection, and frontalis sling.

Browlift Versus Blepharoplasty – Which is Best for Sagging Eyelids?

When examining a patient who is concerned by excess skin over the eyes, Dr. Amiya Prasad’s first move is to figure out the cause. Dr. Prasad will check for brow ptosis or descent of the eyebrow, and excess skin over the eyelids, otherwise known as “dermatochalasis”. If a patient has brow ptosis, it can be safe to assume that dermatochalasis is also present. Blepharoplasty can be the sole solution for sagging eyelids, or part of the main solution. If ptosis is present, brow lifts may also become a possible solution. The defining factor will ultimately depend on the cause of the drooping skin, as well as the patient’s cosmetic goals.

How Can I Fix One Drooping Eye?

If dermatochalasis is present (excess skin weighing down over the eyes), Dr. Amiya Prasad can correct it by means of a blepharoplasty procedure. If ptosis is present, then ptosis surgery is performed. Like with any surgical procedure, it is important to seek out a specialist and get a thorough diagnosis first before any final decisions are made.

Do I Have Eyelid Ptosis or Extra Skin?

Ptosis is a physical condition concerning the eyes, wherein the margin of the eyelid in relation to the pupil is lower than average, making eyes look droopy or sleepy. When the presence of excess skin over the eyelid weighs down on it and causes it to droop, this is called “mechanical ptosis”. During an initial examination, Dr. Amiya Prasad will determine whether the droopiness is caused by ptosis or extra skin, and once this is identified, he will proceed with the appropriate procedure (ptosis surgery or blepharoplasty).

How Blepharoplasty is Performed by Oculoplastic Surgeon Dr. Amiya Prasad

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure of the upper and lower eyelid, and is intended to address any issues concerning the look and function of the eyes, as well as extra skin and swollen fat pockets around the eyes. Dr. Amiya Prasad, a dedicated Oculofacial plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, stresses that performing blepharoplasty with a deep understanding of eye health, is of utmost importance. Many of Dr. Prasad’s clients come to him to get revision surgery for procedures that were unsatisfactorily done by other surgeons. He attends to patients in his Joint Commission-accredited operating facilities, using his own LITE™ IV sedation technique. Within 1 week, his patients are usually able to their normal day-to-day activities.

What are the Possible Complications of Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)?

The most common problems that can occur during or after blepharoplasty are: (1) too much bleeding, (2) infection, (3) undesirable scarring, (4) vision loss, and (5) double vision.

Issues like excess skin and baggy fat pockets around the eye area are not considered complications, but typically fall under “enhancements”. A lot of Dr. Amiya Prasad’s clientele are people seeking corrective surgery to fix disappointing results from an earlier surgery done by another surgeon. The most recurrent cause as to why people get corrective surgery is to fix retraction of the lower eyelid, a problem wherein the lower eyelid droops, thus exposing the lower part of the eye and making it prone to irritation. Dr. Prasad recommends seeking out a surgeon who specializes in such cases in order to avoid any further complications.