Eyelid Surgery in Jacksonville

By Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. David N. Csikai

Considering Eyelid Surgery in Jacksonville?

Dr. Csikai performs eyelid surgery in Jacksonville at First Coast Plastic Surgery’s onsite state licensed surgery center. Eyelid surgery, (medically know as blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat and excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids most often to erase years from one’s appearance. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and remove bags below your eyes; features that make you look older and more tired than you really are, and that may even be interfering with your vision.

Browlift surgery is not a procedure to remove crow’s feet or other wrinkles at the outer corners of your eyes. Eyelid surgery does not eliminate dark circles under your eyes and this procedure will not lift sagging eyebrows. However, patient’s often elect to add the browlift procedure with their eyelid surgery. Combining these two procedures can produce a much brighter and youthful appearance. Fine lines and wrinkles around your can also be addressed after your recovery with non-invasive facial rejuvenation treatments.

If you’re considering or are interested in learning more about eyelid surgery in Jacksonville at First Coast Plastic Surgery, the following information includes some important information about this procedure. To learn about how eyelid surgery might help you achieve your unique goals, schedule a consultation and meet personally with Dr. Csikai for a detailed discussion about your eyes.

The Best Candidates for Eyelid Surgery

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Most eyelid surgery patients are 35 or older. In some cases droopy and or baggy eyelids are passed down from parents. In this case one might consider eyelid surgery at a younger age.

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 and other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. A detached retina or glaucoma is also reason for caution. Be sure to bring any of these conditions to the attention of Dr. Csikai during your initial consultation.

Planning your Eyelid Surgery

The initial consultation with Dr. Csikai is very important. You will be asked detailed questions about your medical history so it’s a good idea review your own records before your visit or completing our new patient forms. Be sure to inform Dr. Csikai about any allergies you have, if you take any vitamins or supplements, medications (including prescription and over-the-counter), use other drugs; and if you smoke.

During your initial consultation, your vision will be tested and your tear production will be assessed. You should also provide any relevant information from your ophthalmologist or your most recent eye exam. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, be sure to bring them along to your consultation.

Dr. Csikai will be interested in your goals and what you hope to achieve through eyelid surgery. You will be discussing whether you are interested in upper eyelid surgery. lower eyelid surgery, or both. And also the possibility of adding the browlift procedure to fully achieve your goals.

You will also learn about the surgical techniques and anesthesia that will be used and approximately how long the procedure will take. You will also be given time to ask any questions you might have.

After your consultation with Dr. Csikai, you will meet with the surgical coordinator who will explain payment policies, the actual cost for the procedure(s) that you are interested in and assistance with financing options. (Note: Most insurance policies don’t cover eyelid surgery, unless ophthalmologist or other eye care professional recommends or prescribes eyelid surgery).

Preparing For Your Eyelid Surgery

Dr. Csikai will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, supplements and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go smoothly.

While you’re making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and to help you out for a few days if needed.

Where Your Surgery Will Be Performed

Dr. Csikai performs eyelid surgery in Jacksonville at First Coast Plastic Surgery’s on-site state licensed surgery center. And blepharoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis. You will be able to “ride” home with a family member of friend when Dr. Csikai releases you soon after your eyelid surgery.

The Type of Anesthesia Generally Used For Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia and oral or intravenous sedatives. You’ll be awake during the surgery but relaxed and insensitive to pain. (However, you may feel some tugging or occasional discomfort.) General anesthesia may also be used so you sleep through the entire procedure but is unnecessary and can increase the costs of your procedure significantly.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. If you’re having all four eyelids done, Dr. Csikai usually performs the upper eyelid surgery first, then moves to the lower eyelids.

In a typical procedure, the surgeon makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids. The incisions may extend into the crow’s feet or laugh lines at the outer corners of your eyes. Working through these incisions, the surgeon separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims sagging skin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.

If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but don’t need to have any skin removed, your surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside your lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.

After Your Eyelid Surgery

After surgery, Dr. Csikai will probably lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply a bandage. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off, but you can control any discomfort with the pain medication that will most likely be prescribed by Dr. Csikai. If you feel any severe pain after surgery, we ask that you call Dr. Csikai immediately.

Dr. Csikai will instruct you to keep your head elevated for several days, and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. (Bruising varies from person to person: it reaches its peak during the first week, and generally lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month.) You’ll be shown how to clean your eyes, which may be gummy for a week or so. Dr. Csikai often recommend eyedrops, since your eyelids may feel dry at first and your eyes may burn or itch. However, it is very important not to touch or rub your eyes with your bare hands as this can lead to infection. For the first few weeks you may also experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in your eyesight, such as blurring or double vision.

Dr. Csikai will follow your progress very closely for the first week or two. The stitches will be removed two days to a week after surgery. Once they’re out, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside, and you will begin to realize the benefits of your surgery.

Getting Back To Normal After your Eyelid Surgery

You should be able to read or watch television after two or three days. However, you won’t be able to wear contact lenses for about two weeks, and even then they may feel uncomfortable for a while.

Most people feel ready to go out in public and back to work in a seven to ten days. By then, depending on your rate of healing and Dr. Csikai’s instructions, you’ll probably be able to wear makeup to hide any bruising that remains. You may be sensitive to sunlight, wind, and other irritants for several weeks, so you should wear sunglasses and a special sunblock made for eyelids when you go out.

Dr. Csikai will most likely advise you to keep your activities to a minimum for three to five days, and to avoid more strenuous activities for about three weeks. It’s especially important to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting, and rigorous sports. You may also be told to avoid alcohol, since it causes fluid retention.

Your New Look

Healing is a gradual process, and your scars may remain slightly pink for six months or more after surgery. Eventually, though, they’ll fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line and will be mostly hidden by the natural folds of your eyelids.

On the other hand, the positive results of your eyelid surgery is a more alert and youthful looking appearance that will last for years. For many people, these results are permanent.

Dr. David N. Csikai is an active member of American Society of Plastic Surgeons. We would like to thank ASPS for assisting with the above information and encourage you to visit the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for more information about plastic surgery in general.