Facial Procedures

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Dr. Tijunelis in Lake County, Libertyville IL.

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We provide plastic surgery services to the Libertyville, IL area. If you would like more information on tummy tucks, liposuction, face lifts, breast enlargements, or any other plastic surgery services, please contact us.

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

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At a Glance:

Description:	Helps to eliminate drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes by removing excess fat, skin, and muscle. Sometimes used in conjunction with a forehead lift
Length:	1 to 3 hours.
Anesthetic:	1 to 3 hours. Usually local with sedation, or general.
Outpatient vs. Inpatient:	Mostly outpatient.
Side Effects:	Temporary discomfort, tightness of lids, swelling, bruising. Temporary dryness, burning, itching of eyes. Excessive tearing, sensitivity to light for first few weeks.
Risks:	Infection, bleeding. Swelling at the corners of the eyelids. Dry eyes. Slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Difficulty in closing eyes completely (rarely permanent). Pulling down of the lower lids (may require further surgery). Corneal abrasion.
Recovery:	Reading: 2 or 3 days. Back to work: 7 to 10 days. Contact lenses: two weeks or more. Strenuous activities, alcohol: about 3 weeks. Bruising and swelling gone: several weeks.
Duration of Results:	Several years. Sometimes permanent.

Eyes are a prominent facial feature. It is the surrounding skin, rather than the eyes themselves, that convey emotion. The tissue, muscle, fat, hair and lashes all contribute to the wide array of expressions.

Age, sun exposure and hereditary factors all contribute to wrinkles, deep lines and puffiness around the eyes.

The aging process can cause unwanted changes in expression, causing us to look permanently fatigued and older than we really are. These changes in appearance can cause emotional distress and sometimes even visual impairment. An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is designed to restore a more youthful appearance to your eyes. It may involve the upper lids, the lower lids, or both.

Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence. A few medical conditions make blepharoplasty more risky. They include thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. A detached retina or glaucoma is also reason for caution; check with your ophthalmologist before you have surgery.

New and Traditional Techniques

Traditional Blepharoplasty: An incision is made in the crease of the upper lid toward the temples. Once healed, it is not noticeable when the eye is open. On the lower lid, the incision is made along the lash line toward the temples, and is hidden by lashes when healed.

The Transconjunctival Approach: This is a newer technique for lid blepharoplasty, involving an incision inside the lower lid. Fat can be removed through this incision, but excess skin cannot be eliminated.

Please ask your doctor if you have any questions about which procedure is right for you.

The Surgery

Local anesthesia is given around the eyes. An intravenous line is started so that sedation may also be given. During the procedure you will be awake but comfortable and relaxed. General anesthesia is rarely used.

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. It is important to arrange for care after the surgery. Someone must drive you home and be available to care for you for the first 24 hours.

Unlikely complications include: bleeding and swelling, delayed wound healing, infection, drooping of upper or lower eyelid, asymmetry, double vision, and dry eyes.

Recovery: What to Expect

The area surrounding the eyes will remain swollen in the days following the surgery. It should begin to subside after the first day. Some vision blurring is normal.

Swelling and bruising will persist for about 10 days, but you can begin wearing makeup to help conceal these concerns. You may expect to resume normal activity within a week to 10 days, and start enjoying your new look within approximately 10-14 days. It may take about 6 months for the scars to lose their redness.