Blepharoplasty will neither eradicate the wrinkling around the eyes (crows feet), nor eliminate the dark circles under the eyes. There are procedures that may be performed in conjunction with blepharoplasty to address these concerns, so be sure to discuss your needs with your surgeon.

After the procedure
Immediately following surgery, the eye area may feel tight. Your physician will prescribe a pain medication to control any discomfort you may feel. Convalescence usually lasts one to two weeks. Be sure to follow the specific postoperative instructions to ensure a quick recovery.
Keep your head elevated
Use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising
Apply prescribed eye drops to ease dryness or itching
Two to seven days after surgery, the stitches will be removed. The swelling and discomfort will gradually diminish.
The goal of blepharoplasty, regardless of race, is to improve the appearance of your eyes. If you think you may be a candidate for the surgery, schedule a consultation with your facial plastic surgeon. During this visit, be prepared to discuss your goals, expectations, and motivation for the surgery. Whether your surgery is inspired by cosmetic or functional reasons, your surgeon will evaluate your face and answer all your questions.

ASK THE SURGEON
My teenager would like to get her eyebrow and nose pierced. Can you tell us the risks involved?
The most serious risks are infection, allergic reaction, bleeding, and nerve damage. You can lower your risk of infection by making sure the person who pierces your skin washes his or her hands, wears gloves, and uses sterile equipment. Also, if you keep the area clean and follow post-piercing instructions you have a better chance of it healing properly. The wrong kind of jewelry (size, weight, thickness) can also cause problems. Depending on the area pierced, you may lose feeling due to nerve damage or have noticeable keloids (thick scarring) at the piercing site. Facial plastic surgeons do not recommend facial piercing and have performed enough reconstructive surgery to tell patients it is not worth it. Encourage your daughter to express her uniqueness in other ways.

HEALTH TIP
Are you or your children playing sports this summer season? The physical benefits of athletics include reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions; the social advantages include enhancing social skills and teaching group cooperation to accomplish a common goal.
If an injury to the face should occur, apply an ice pack immediately and keep the head elevated. Symptoms of a fracture include swelling, bruising, pain or numbness, double or blurred vision, nosebleeds, and difficulty breathing through the nose. You will need to get x-rays to confirm any fractures. If the jaw or lower face is injured, there may be changes in teeth structure or the ability to close the mouth properly. If there is loss of consciousness, obvious deformity, persistent bleeding, or deep skin cuts, seek medical attention immediately.
Keep in mind the following tips to avoid injuries:

WHAT’S NEW?
Barbed sutures are being used in procedures at an increasing rate. Barbed sutures are a synthetic thread with little cuts in the side of the suture that allow the barb to catch when it is passed through tissue. The surgeon can pull on the suture once it is in place to tighten and anchor the surrounding tissue. The result is a quicker facial procedure with smaller incisions and decreased downtime for the patient. An additional advantage is that the patient can return several years later—when new wrinkles appear—and have the sutures readjusted with little surgical effort. Patented barbed sutures are still seeking FDA approval.

*This is a new procedure that is still being developed. There are currently no long term studies demonstrating results.