Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

At the Mountain View office of Dr. James Pertsch, patients from across the country visit his practice for blepharoplasty surgery. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence by removing droopy or sagging eyelids. As people age, the eyelid stretches, muscles weaken, and fat accumulates around the eyes, causing “bags,” or excess skin to become prominent. In some patients, sagging skin in the upper eyelids can cause vision impairment.

During your consultation, San Mateo plastic surgeon Dr. Pertsch will assess which of the four eyelids (top and bottom for both eyes) require surgery. Your desired outcome, options, and medical history will be discussed in order to determine the most appropriate approach to your particular procedure. Because each patient has a unique anatomy and desired outcome, every procedure is customized to fit his or her goal.

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Generally, patients for this procedure are 35 years or older. However, if sagging eyelids runs in your family, it is possible to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.

Eyelid surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia. If Dr. Pertsch chooses local anesthesia, he will numb the area around your eyes, along with giving you a mild oral or IV sedative. The actual surgery takes one to three hours. The incisions made during the upper eyelid surgery are made along the natural crease in order to hide any scarring. Lower eyelid surgery can be performed through incisions made along the lower lash line or inside the lower lid. This prevents scars from being visible post-surgery.

As with any procedure, there is the possibility of complications occurring. For eyelid surgery, these include infection, or a reaction to the anesthesia used. Minor complications that commonly follow eyelid surgery include double or blurred vision for a few days, which is caused by swelling at the corner of the eyelids, and slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Following surgery, some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep. Adhering to Dr. Pertsch’s advice on pre- and post-op care will greatly reduce the risk of complications and provide a healthy recovery.

After your surgery, you may feel tightness in your eyes. An ointment and a bandage will cover your eyes, and a cold compress and elevation will help keep the swelling and bruising down. For the first few weeks following your surgery, you may also experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in your vision such as blurring or double vision. Your stitches will be removed two to seven days after your surgery.

If you are in the San Mateo or Mountain View areas, you may contact Dr. Pertsch regarding eyelid surgery to further discus your surgery options

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