Eyelid Surgery Lexington KY

It is often said that the eyes are the window to the soul. How true! Of all of our facial features, our eyes can show others who we really are inside. Think about how difficult it is to get to know someone—or even to have a friendly conversation—while they are wearing dark glasses.

Perhaps this is why so many of our clients come to us with the desire to improve the look of their eyes, eyelids, and the surrounding areas. In fact, eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is the second most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States. It’s not that clients want to change their eyes; they just want to make them clearer and more, well, visible!

As we age, it’s common to suffer from the appearance of excessive skin and fat over the eyes, which creates a droopy, tired, and aged appearance. In some people, this drooping tissue can cause irritation and peripheral vision obstruction. Time can certainly cause these changes, but they can also happen to some younger people who are genetically predisposed to the problem. Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is a procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower lids to create a more youthful contour and appearance.

To find out more about Eyelid Surgery in Lexington KY with Lexington Plastic Surgery, call our office at (859) 279-2111.

Schedule an appointment in our Lexington, KY office

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The New You—Working With Dr. Gerstle

You’ve decided that it’s time to wave goodbye to puffy, baggy, droopy eyes that make you look tired, bored, sullen, or even angry. You’ve come to the right place!

You will have a thorough consultation with Dr. Gerstle to discuss eyelid surgery, during which he will examine and photograph your eyelids. He will take a thorough medical history and conduct a general physical exam as well. He will ask you to share your goals for your eye improvement along with any other cosmetic changes you wish to make. Sometimes he will be able to combine your eyelid surgery with other facial rejuvenation techniques, such as a facelift or neck lift.

In order to get a realistic view of the changes he will be able to make, Dr. Gerstle may use a tool called “mirror imaging” that can digitally alter your photos to show the results you can expect from the eyelid surgery. Then, you and Dr. Gerstle will develop a plan to make the changes you’re looking for!

Eyelid Surgery Safety

We take care with any procedure we perform to minimize all risks and tailor the surgery specifically to your overall health needs. If you’ve had prior reactions to anesthesia, please let us know. Following eyelid surgery, it’s possible that you may experience temporary side effects such as dryness, irritation, or blurry vision. Infections may rarely occur, so we will monitor you closely in the days following your surgery to minimize this risk. Very rarely, injury to the eyelid, eyes, or eye muscles may be sustained, or a follow-up procedure could be desired if results are not satisfactory. Rest easy knowing that we take the greatest care in working on this very delicate area to ensure that you are happy with the result and are in the safest of hands.

The Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Dr. Gerstle will require you to stop taking blood thinners and any over the counter medications that can cause increased bleeding prior to your procedure. As with other surgeries, he will also ask you to refrain from smoking for several weeks beforehand in order to expedite healing.

Upper eyelid surgery can be performed under local anesthesia in Dr. Gerstle’s office, where you will recover for a brief time prior to returning home. Lower lid surgery usually requires you to have the procedure done under general anesthesia ; you will generally be discharged a few hours after leaving the operating room.

Dr. Gerstle performs blepharoplasty procedures through precise incisions that are hidden in the natural creases of the eye, making scarring unnoticeable. You will not be able to tell that an incision has been made once the area has completely healed. The surgery usually takes under two hours to complete.

Eyelid Surgery Post Op

We expect our blepharoplasty patients to be able to return home on the day of the procedure. Please plan to have someone pick you up from our office as your vision may be impaired immediately following the procedure.

Patients usually see Dr. Gerstle the day after the surgery for a follow-up visit and are ready to return to work in seven to ten days. Light activity can also be resumed around that time, but Dr. Gerstle recommends limiting strenuous activity for four weeks or more. You and Dr. Gerstle will discuss when further appointments may be necessary, but know that Dr. Gerstle is always available on his personal cell phone and via email.

Short term side effects can include sensitivity to light, watery eyes, pain, swelling, or double vision.

Immediately following the surgery and for several weeks afterwards, don’t:

• Smoke
• Swim
• Rub your eyes
• Engage in strenuous exercise
• Use contact lenses

Do:

• Apply ice gauze as often as needed to soothe discomfort and reduce swelling
• Follow the doctor’s instructions for cleaning and applying medications
• Protect your eyes from direct sunlight with dark glasses
• Keep your head elevated for several nights after the surgery