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Eyelid Surgery

Cosmetic eyelid surgery improves your appearance by making your eyes look more rested and refreshed. It is an excellent choice to correct the following conditions: loose, hanging skin on the upper eyelids; the “tired–eye” look because of puffy, droopy bags; dark circles and fine wrinkles on the lower eyelids.

Loss of tone on the forehead may also cause upper eyelids to sag. If this occurs, Dr. Mizgala may recommend a combination of forehead lift and eyelid surgery. These cosmetic procedures can be safely performed separately or together.

How To Prepare For Eyelid Surgery.

The goal of Cynthia Mizgala MD and her entire team is to make your surgical experience as easy, safe, and comfortable for you as possible.

If you are a smoker, it is highly recommended to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Smoking can impair your ability to heal. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Dr. Mizgala will provide you with additional preoperative instructions.

Aesthetic eyelid surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for the next 24 hours.

What To Expect During Eyelid Surgery.

Dr. Mizgala will perform your cosmetic eyelid surgery at a licensed surgical facility. Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing eyelid surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.

When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. Your vision will be blurry as a result of ointment used to soothe and protect the eye during surgery as well as from the swelling that is a normal aftermath of eyelid procedures. However, there should be surprisingly little discomfort from the surgery.

You probably will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery

The first few days after surgery, you should rest quietly with your head elevated. Dr. Mizgala may instruct you to apply cold compresses to your eyelids. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications. Initially, you may feel a "tight" sensation around the eyes and some mild discomfort that can be controlled with oral medication.

During the first 48 hours following surgery, patients experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising. Some patients find that mild swelling persist for several weeks, while others may see swelling resolve in as little as one week. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Within the first week or so, you will be permitted to use makeup, if desired, to conceal any discoloration.

Your vision may continue to be somewhat blurry for a few days or longer. Your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to light, and you may experience excess tearing or dryness. Dr. Mizgala may recommend eye drops to help relieve any burning or itching. You may want to wear dark sunglasses for a couple of weeks to protect your eyes from wind and sun irritation.

Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less. Although you might feel like going back to work just a few days after surgery, your vision may still be slightly blurry which could make reading or other paperwork more difficult.