Have you been considering having Blepharoplasty or, as it is more commonly known, eyelid surgery? Whether planning for elective or necessary eye surgery, you may be feeling a little nervous and have some questions. Continue reading to learn more about the differences between upper and lower eyelid surgery, festoons versus eye bags, and little about the procedures themselves. Whether you are hoping to have under eye bag surgery, or you are thinking about an upper lid procedure, you will find many of your questions answered here.
Festoons or Under Eye Bags. What’s the Difference?
Many people are unaware that there is a difference between the two and often refer to them all as under eye bags. This is not the case.
Bags, or mild swelling and some puffiness located directly under the eyes is a normal part of aging as some of the tissues weaken with age. Fat deposits begin to poke through the weakened facial muscles, creating the bag like appearance. Bags can also be caused by lack of sleep, allergies, heredity, and smoking. But for some, these symptoms are more pronounced and affects their appearance in a negative way. Some develop dark circles under the eyes as well. These bags will most often feel firm when touched, and they do not move around when manipulated. They are often more pronounced and noticeable when looking up.
Festoons (referred to as malar mounds) are bag-like as well. However, they are located on the high cheek area. They too protrude through the skin and can be a warning sign that there may be precancerous conditions on other areas of the face. Malar mounds are caused by sun damage, smoking, and aging. They are most often found on those with lighter skins tones. These bags are a little more difficult to treat due to their location on the face.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
While both upper and lower eyelid surgery will help improve your looks by making you appear more youthful, upper eyelid surgery can at times improve your vision as well. The removal of excess, baggy skin from your field of vision, can allow you to see more clearly. Drooping eyelids are one of the most common complaints people report when deciding to have upper eyelid surgery.
Your surgeon will usually make an incision along the natural lines of your eyelid. This decreases any visible scars after healing. Your surgeon may remove fatty deposits, excess skin, or even muscle tissues. Each patient is different and has different needs during surgery to get the optimal results. When finished, this incision is closed with small stitches that will stay in place for anywhere from 3 to 6 days after surgery.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery is often done to correct the appearance of bags, fine wrinkles, and sagging of the lower eyelid. Your surgeon may also need to repair the malar mound area, high on your cheek as well. There are several different techniques used for lower eyelid surgery. For some, a cut or incision is done on the inside of the eyelid. There is no scaring noticeable after this procedure. Another method requires the surgeon to make an incision along the eyelash area. The excess skin, muscle tissue, or fat can be removed through this cut. This incision will fade over time.
As with any surgery, you will need to discuss your expectations of the surgery, preoperative needs, and postoperative needs with your surgeon. Some people will need to have both upper and lower eyelid surgery to obtain the look they desire. You may need to have a preoperative clearance exam done with your PCP before your surgery to determine if you are healthy enough to have the surgery. Some people have eyelid surgery done with local anesthesia. The area surrounding the eye is numbed, and sometimes you are given an oral medicine to help you relax. You are awake when having a procedure using local anesthesia. Others may have it done with general anesthesia. Under general anesthesia, you have an IV placed, and medication is given to you to make you sleep. You will need to discuss what type of anesthesia will be needed for your surgery with your surgeon.
Having both upper and lower eyelid surgery may need to be done to achieve optimal results. As with any surgery, results may vary and it is important to have realistic expectations. Eyelid surgery can help you look and feel more youthful, but it can only help so much. Depending on your health, the results from blepharoplasty can be expected to last for as long as ten years. Results will vary from person to person, as everyone has a unique health history.
Dr. Allan Wulc is an eye and facial plastic surgeon located in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. He is triple board certified in Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, and Facial Cosmetic Surgery. Are you interested in learning more about upper and lower eyelid surgery? Considering under eye bag surgery in the Philadelphia area? Please contact the office of Dr. Allan Wulc to find out if this procedure is right for you.
