Our Summary
This research paper discusses a new method for performing blepharoplasty, which is a kind of surgery that creates double eyelids. This is often sought by individuals who have single eyelids. A common problem with this type of surgery is that it can cause a lot of tissue damage. Much of this damage is due to harm to vertical blood vessels in the skin layers.
The researchers developed a new method that tries to keep these blood vessels safe. They looked at the outcomes of 462 patients who had this new method between January 2015 and December 2019. The patients were followed up for 6 to 40 months after their surgeries. They were asked to rate their results as excellent, good, fair, or poor.
The results showed that 94.16% of patients (435 out of 462) were satisfied with their results. Swelling after surgery went down significantly during the first week and was gone by 4 weeks after surgery for patients without droopy eyelids or with mild droopiness. For patients with moderate droopiness, swelling went down in 2 to 5 weeks. Only 14 patients (3.03%) had obvious bruising after surgery.
The researchers concluded that this new method for double eyelid surgery has a high satisfaction rate, fast recovery time, low bruising, and low rate of complications. They suggest that it should be used more widely for people with single eyelids and mild or moderate droopiness of the eyelids.
FAQs
- What is the new method for performing blepharoplasty that the researchers developed?
- What were the outcomes of the patients who underwent this new method of blepharoplasty?
- Why do the researchers suggest this new method should be used more widely for blepharoplasty?
Doctor’s Tip
A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about blepharoplasty is to carefully follow post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery process. This may include keeping the area clean and dry, avoiding rubbing or touching the eyes, using prescribed eye drops or ointments as directed, and attending follow-up appointments with the surgeon. Additionally, it is important to avoid strenuous activities or heavy lifting during the initial healing period to allow the eyes to properly heal.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended blepharoplasty include those with excess skin or fat in the upper or lower eyelids, droopy eyelids that impair vision, puffiness or bags under the eyes, and wrinkles around the eyes. Additionally, individuals who desire to improve their appearance by creating a double eyelid or correcting asymmetry in the eyelids may also be candidates for blepharoplasty. It is important for patients to have realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery and to be in good overall health before undergoing the procedure.
Timeline
Before blepharoplasty, a patient may experience dissatisfaction with their appearance due to single eyelids or droopy eyelids. They may consult with a plastic surgeon to discuss their options and determine if they are a good candidate for the surgery.
After blepharoplasty, the patient will undergo the surgical procedure, which typically takes 1-2 hours and is performed under local anesthesia. Following the surgery, the patient may experience swelling and bruising around the eyes, which typically peaks within the first week and gradually improves over the following weeks. Patients without droopy eyelids or with mild droopiness may see swelling resolve within 4 weeks, while those with moderate droopiness may take 2-5 weeks for swelling to go down.
During the recovery period, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and follow post-operative care instructions provided by their surgeon. The patient will have follow-up appointments to monitor their progress and ensure that they are healing properly. Most patients report high satisfaction with the results of their blepharoplasty, with a low rate of complications and a fast recovery time.
What to Ask Your Doctor
Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about blepharoplasty include:
- What are the potential risks and complications associated with blepharoplasty?
- How long is the recovery process after blepharoplasty and what can I expect during this time?
- Will I have visible scarring after the surgery and how can I minimize scarring?
- How long do the results of blepharoplasty typically last?
- Are there any non-surgical alternatives to achieving the same results as blepharoplasty?
- Will I need to follow any specific post-operative care instructions?
- What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery and what are the potential side effects?
- How many blepharoplasty procedures have you performed and what is your success rate?
- Can you provide me with before and after photos of previous patients who have undergone blepharoplasty?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should make before or after the surgery to optimize my results?
Reference
Authors: Jiafu Y, Hong J, Chen Z, Zhijun W, Zhigang L. Journal: J Craniofac Surg. 2022 Nov-Dec 01;33(8):2613-2618. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000008721. Epub 2022 Aug 1. PMID: 36409844