Eyelid Surgery - Enhance the Lift of the Lids

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a procedure surgically performed on either the lower or upper eyelid to enhance the skin's appearance around the eye. For the upper eyelid, eye surgery is used to improve droopy or redundant skin that appears on the upper eyelid extending to the forehead. As we get older, the eyelid's skin loses its elasticity. Also, the structures which support the forehead's skin weaken, which can lead to excess skin that can hang past the edge of the brow. The fat and the muscles of the upper eyelid can alter with age, leading to an unappealing bulge.

Traditionally, blepharoplasty includes taking away the excess skin from the upper lid to restore a concise eyelid crease and provide the upper eyelid a nice and smooth look. For those with bulging fat within the upper eyelid, blepharoplasty, or eye surgery can also include removing the bulging fat. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is often performed to correct the look of "bags" underneath the eyes. These so called "bags" may be caused from fat which is usually behind the eye and bulges in front of the muscles due to aging.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a common cosmetic plastic surgery to remove excess skin, muscle or fat from the upper and lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty cosmetic surgery enhances baggy skin under the eyes, sinking upper eyelids, or eye lashes that droop and impair vision. The surgery may also be done to treat a medical condition called ptosis (drooping eyelid), that is caused by poor muscle tone or nerve damage. Ptosis makes the eyelids hang very low and block vision.
Blepharoplasty helps drooping eyelids, but not eyebrows or wrinkles that droop. It is usually performed with another type of cosmetic surgery like a facelift brow-lift to improve facial sagging, droopy eyebrows, or crow's feet.

Why Eyelid Surgery?

As we get older, excess skin forms around the eye area and the skin loses elasticity. Fatty tissue also may accumulate under the skin. Your eyes will "look older" because aging processes leave them appearing tired, puffy or wrinkled. Even with a good skin care and eye care routine, puffiness, wrinkles, and drooping eyelids will occur. Body chemistry and genetic factors can even cause these types of aging effects in younger people. Plastic surgery has the potential to restore a youthful and renewed appearance to your eyes.

Is Eyelid surgery Right for Me?

The ideal candidates for blepharoplasty are physically healthy, well-informed about the procedure and emotionally stable. The best candidates are typically at least 35 years of age (although genetic factors can indicate treatment for younger patients). Candidates could be excluded if they suffer from any one of the following conditions: hypothyroidism, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, glaucoma, dry eyes, high blood pressure, or Graves' disease.

The Procedure

Incisions are made across the line creases of the upper eyelid and sometimes along the outer rim of the eye's skin. When removing fatty tissue, though not skin, the surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty with by cutting inside the lower rim of the eye's skin. These incisions frequently reach the outer corners of the eyes. The doctor then divides the fatty tissue and muscle from the skin so that extra skin, fat, or muscle can be removed.

Take your time finding someone you can trust, and feel comfortable with, to perform this procedure for you. Make sure it's a highly qualified health professional with expertise in the specialty you are interested in.

What is Blepharoplasty - Guide to Understand Eyelid Lifts

Blepharoplasty is a medical procedure that reshapes the upper or lower eyelid through surgery. In the surgery, excess tissue is either repositioned or removed, and surrounding muscles and tendons are reinforced. It is commonly known as an eyelid lift. Blepharoplasty may be performed for either functional or cosmetic reasons. An example of a functional reason to perform blepharoplasty would be because there is too much upper eyelid skin and it blocks peripheral vision. Upper eyelid skin may also be removed because the patient feels their eye would look better without it. Lower eyelid skin is usually also removed for cosmetic reasons. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty can reduce wrinkles and puffy bags under the eyes. The surgery itself can take up to three hours. Swelling and bruising of the eye tend to disappear after two weeks, and complete recovery is achieved after several months.

One type of blepharoplasty performed is Asian blepharoplasty, commonly known as double eyelid surgery. This surgery is usually performed on East Asians. East Asians are commonly born with an eyelid without a crease, and choose to have this procedure done to create an eyelid with a crease. This is a surgery for purely cosmetic reasons, and is very popular in Taiwan and other East Asian countries.

Another type of blepharoplasty is transconjunctival blepharoplasty. This type of surgery is performed by making an incision on the back of the eyelid. The surgeon then removes lower eyelid fat through this incision without having to make additional external cuts. Because only one cut is made, surgeons cannot remove excess skin during this surgery, only excess fat. However, the benefit of this type of blepharoplasty is that the eye will heal much faster.

The best way to find a good plastic surgeon is ask for references from friends who have had plastic surgery. If they had a good experience with their plastic surgeon, they are likely to refer you to him. Before you commit to any one surgeon, make sure to get a couple of second opinions. If all the surgeons you have consulted advise the same procedure, then you know that your surgeon has recommended the correct surgery. Also, make sure to check your surgeon's credentials, licenses and degrees. If your surgeon has graduated from a school in the Bahamas or in Mexico, you may want to consider a doctor with a more reliable degree from a school in the US or Europe. Also, don't be cheap when looking for a plastic surgeon. The best doctors cost more money. Do not sacrifice quality in order to save a couple hundred bucks. In the long run, you may regret it.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Options to Correct Asymmetrical Face

Most people naturally have facial features that are slightly asymmetrical or off-center, but for many men and women there are certain features that cause them to feel unattractive and unhappy with their outward appearance, and these can occur naturally or as a result of traumatic life event or disease.

There are several cosmetic procedures available that can help to make the face appear to be more symmetrical, including surgery, injections, lifts, and facial liposuction.

Surgical Solutions

There is a large selection of surgical options that can be performed separately over time or some can be done at the same time:

1. If your nose is uneven or misshapen, you can undergo rhinoplasty (nose job) to re-shape and correct the problem.

2. Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty removes sagging skin and fat deposits from the upper eyelid.

A rhytidectomy (face lift), will provide renewed tightness and evenness to your entire face. You can also have a localized brow lift or neck lift to improve balance.

3. A cheek augmentation provides the opportunity to have more prominent cheekbones through the insertion of an implant to harmonize features.

4. Chin augmentation can make your chin appear more prominent and add to the overall symmetry of your profile.

Liposuction

Facial liposuction requires small incisions through which a tool is inserted that sucks out and removes unwanted fat deposits in the cheeks and chin. This helps to contour and sculpt the face into its desired shape.

Injections

Cosmetic injections firm the skin and can be used to even out facial features. Some are fillers that can be used to fill in or plump targeted areas.

While there are a variety of options available to you, it is not advisable for one person to undergo all of or the majority of these procedures, especially not all at once or on a very short timeline. It can take weeks or months to see the final effects of a procedure, so always follow the advice of your surgeon and take your time with the entire process.

If you rush into the decision, you may end up wishing you hadn't undergone any of the procedures. It is also important to be aware of the risks associated with each treatment and with surgery in general, such as infection and reactions to anesthesia. If you are sure that you want to go under the knife, choose a surgeon who you feel comfortable with and who has a good reputation in facial cosmetic surgery.

Crucial Issues You Need To Know About Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Cosmetic eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty) is a well sought after surgery, especially by people who want to look younger and fresher. It is performed to remove fats as well as excess muscle and skin from the lower and upper eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct puffy eye bags and drooping eyelids which will will result in you looking less tired and a lot younger

For some Asians, cosmetic eyelid surgery can create the "double eyelids" look. This is actually done by adding crease to the upper eyelid but it won’t eliminate evidences of racial or ethnic heritage. Not that eyelid surgery won't take away crow's feet and other types of wrinkles. Nor would it remove the dark circles under your eyes nor lift those sagging eyebrows. To rectify those, you may need other types of surgery.

So you want to go for eyelid surgery but are you qualified?

People go for eye lid surgery typically to correct some imperfections and boost their self image and appearance. But are you a candidate in the first place? To get a better picture, answer these questions :-

1. Do you have loose skin that usually hangs down from my eyes' upper lids and maybe impairing my vision?

2. Do you have excess skin that's obscuring the normal fold of my upper eyelids?

3. Do you have eye bags and dark circles right under your eyes, typically having a depression down the bony edge of my lower eyelids?

4. Do you have puffy appearance of the upper eyelids, causing the eyes to look tired?

5. Do you have fine wrinkles in the lower eyelids?

6.Do you have droopy lower eyelids that shows the white portion below the iris?

If you have any of the above problems, eyelid surgery can help correct them. But other treatments may need to be considered in some cases as well. For example, a forehead lift can be considered to rectify the problem of eyebrow sagging. For crow's feet, laser resurfacing process or forehead lift may be required. And circles under your eyes that come as a result of dark pigmentation may be removed along with chemical peel or bleaching procedures.

But what are the risks of having an eyelid surgery?

As with any surgery, complications can occur although these can be kept to a minimum if you engage a well qualified plastic surgeon for your eyelid surgery. Among the many complications are:

1. Body’s response to anesthesia

2. Asymmetrical scarring

3. Infection

4. Blurred or double vision few days after the surgery

In additional, if you have any of the following medical conditions, eye lid surgery can be dangerous. These medical conditions include:

1. Diabetes

2. Dry eye

3. High blood pressure

4. Glaucoma

5. Cardiovascular disease

6. Thyroid problems

7. Detached retina

Discuss the issue with your surgeon before the operation. In the worst case scenario, some patients may experience difficulty in closing their eyes after surgery. This problem can be permanent so be very careful.

So, you have qualified and decided to dive into eyelid surgery. What should you expect to undergo? Here are some things:-

1. The eyelid surgery can take 1 – 3 hours to complete

2. Your plastic surgeon will use local anesthesia during the operation to numb the portion around your eyes

3. Typically, intravenous or oral sedatives are given and the patient needs to be awake in the entire surgery procedure

4. In some cases, general anesthesia is given and the patient remains asleep during the surgery

So there you have it. All you need to consider if you are thinking of going for eyelid surgery. The eyes have it.

Four Plastic Surgery Treatments You've Never Heard Of

The world of plastic surgery is always changing. As soon as somebody has a simple idea for improvement, imagination becomes science. These days you can get nearly anything you want done at a plastic surgery clinic. Here are 4 new treatments you've probably never heard of before!

Get The Washboard With Ab Etching

"Ab etching" is the treatment that gets you the "six pack" stomach. Forget about your sit-up regiment; the way to get rid of that gut is to have a skilled plastic surgeon sculpt it for you.

Actually, ab etching is a tiny liposuction. The doctor sucks some belly away and contours what's left to your desired firmness. This is the only way known to man to get the "washboard" stomach that so many of us envy.

The difference between ab etching and regular lipo is that it sucks fat from around the natural muscles, and this is why the end result is so natural looking. The muscles that are already there simply get more definition.

Open Your Eyes With Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery. This is the most popular surgery for women in Japan and Korea who want to give their eyes a more open look. It removes tissue from the upper and lower eyelid. Then, the doctor tightens the tissue around the eyes so it looks natural.

Eyelid surgery is also used by women all over the world to get rid of the puffiness and bags that come with aging. The end result is wider, more youthful-looking eyes. It can also mean increased peripheral vision.

Get Cheeky With Cheek Augmentation

Cheek augmentation is used to get rid of the gaunt, hollow-cheeked look caused by aging or an irregular cheek shape. It can also make cheekbones look more pronounced, and make you look more like somebody from your favorite fashion magazines!

This is just another type of surgery used for facial contouring. You can use cheek augmentation to create a more balanced look in the face. It's one of plastic surgery's lightest procedures, taking usually only 30-45 minutes.

The doctor simply makes tiny incisions around the eyelids and lips, and then works a small cheek implant in. The implant can be made into whichever shape the doctor feels is necessary to achieve the result you're after. The result is fuller cheeks and higher cheekbones.

Baby Got Back!

And don't forget butt augmentation! Like some crazy dance, this trend started in Latin America and has jiggled itself north. Butt augmentation is for women who simply want a little more junk in the trunk.

It's not only for ladies in rap videos, either. Many women feel they could benefit from more rear cushion. When you age, your behind can become droopy. And there are those who never had much butt to begin with. Butt augmentation can fix these problems for you.

The plastic surgeon puts butt implants of the desired size into the rear, and pretty soon you forget they're there. The result is a fuller, more bodacious booty. Plastic surgery offers more solutions to your body problems every year. Keep up with what plastic surgery has to offer!

Concentric Mastopexy for Small-Breasted Women

If the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is to be believed, there were about 381,000 breast-related cosmetic procedures carried out in 2003. And with breakthroughs such as concentric mastopexy cropping up to revolutionize the cosmetic surgery landscape, the number has increased, and is still swelling significantly. The success lies in knowing which specialized trick is appropriate for a specific case.

For women with small breasts who are experiencing a minimal amount of sagging, the type of mastopexy or breast lift required is the concentric breast lift. This procedure is named so because of the two concentric incisions done on the outer border of the areola, and the breast skin surrounding the areola. The skin cut out by these two circular incisions is then removed, thereby pulling the breast tissue together. This results in firmer, 'lifted' breasts.

There are variations to the concentric breast lift. For instance, the more skin on top of the areola is removed, the higher the nipple is elevated, which in turn results in a significant improvement of breast projection. Keeping the best scenario in mind, a concentric mastopexy can lift the areola by as much as five centimeters and the nipple by as much as four centimeters. In the case of small breasts, these results are noteworthy improvements.

Due to the relatively low maintenance aspect of this procedure, it is usually administered to women with smaller breasts who suffer from non-extreme ptosis, or sagging. Bear in mind that concentric lifts should only be administered by licensed plastic surgeons. It is important to discuss the procedure with your doctor and consider their qualifications and credentials before undergoing concentric mastopexy.

For Patients in L.A., a Plastic Surgeon can Correct Defects and Improve Physical Appearances

A patient’s choice of cosmetic surgeon can have a huge impact on the outcome of the surgery he or she requires. For instance, a LA plastic surgeon might be able to successfully administer botox treatments, and provide other services, but another surgeon might be more adept at correcting inborn nasal defects. Before settling on a doctor, determine which category your desired surgical procedure falls under and find the best doctor with the most experience in the specific procedure you need to undertake.

There are two main types of plastic surgery — reconstructive and cosmetic. Reconstructive plastic surgery is typically administered to correct abnormal body structures that are either congenital or caused by tumors or diseases. Congenital defects such as cleft and lip palates can be rectified by reconstructive surgery. Procedures such as breast reconstruction and scar revision are reconstructive plastic surgeries that seek to augment irregularities brought about by cancer and accidents. Although reconstructive surgery usually aims to improve function, it can also be a way to normalize the appearance of a bodily structure.

The second type of plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, is endured for aesthetic purposes. In image-conscious LA, plastic surgeon clinics of this type abound. Cosmetic surgical procedures try to improve one’s appearance, and consequently, self-esteem. Unlike reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgeons do not have to worry about making a feature functional, as these kinds of procedures usually just require reshaping.

Some of the more popular cosmetic surgery procedures are breast lifts and augmentations, liposuction, blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery, face lifts, rhinoplasty or nose jobs and tummy tucks. For patients in LA, a plastic surgeon can help determine the procedures necessary to safely achieve the desired results.

Dr. Randal Haworth of the Haworth Institute is experienced in various cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. He is a LA plastic surgeon who can help you with your plastic surgery needs. Visit http://www.drhaworth.com or call 310-273-3000 for more information.

Get Thin and Sculpted with the Help of a Gastric Bypass Plastic Surgeon

Many people swear by the name of their gastric bypass plastic surgeon. Gastric bypass surgery is an extremely effective procedure. Most people who have had a gastric bypass have lost up to 100 lbs in around 12-18 months. However, there are still issues to consider after such a sudden and extreme drop in weight.

One of the most important issues is your physical appearance months after the actual procedure. While the fat and extra pounds may be gone, the excess skin will remain. The skin does not shrink to fit the body’s shape as quickly as you may lose the weight. Many times, the extra skin can hang on your limbs and torso like saggy clothes. Apart from the unattractiveness of the skin itself, finding clothes that will fit properly is tricky. There is also a matter of proper hygiene maintenance. With all the crevices created by the skin, it will be difficult to ensure that you are as clean as you should be.

All these factors may make you less enthusiastic about gastric bypass. However, there are other procedures that can be done to take away the excess skin once the fat is gone. Contouring the body to fit your new figure can entail a face or neck lift, breast lift, arm lift, thigh lift, or a lower body lift. They may seem like a lot of work, but with the right gastric bypass plastic surgeon, the proper priorities, and a thorough consultation, you can choose the right procedures for you.

Resource Box:

Get the best help to contour your body with Dr. Thomas T. Nguyen of the Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Nguyen is a gastric bypass plastic surgeon with extensive experience with the procedure and the ones that must take place after weightloss. For more information go tohttp://www.cosmeticinstitute.org/ or call 877–909-4011.

BodyTite™ Liposuction for Women

Fat is a harassing problem faced by most women. BodyTite™ liposuction is an excellent option for women considering body contouring. BodyTite™ is a new, sophisticated device utilized for providing painless liposuction with minimal scarring.

Fat Removal Using Radio-frequency Assisted Liposuction (RFAL) Technology

BodyTite™ uses advanced Radio-frequency Assisted Liposuction (RFAL) technology to dissolve unwanted fat deposits and tighten the skin, thus helping to enhance your overall appearance. This innovative device from Invasix™ comprises a bipolar radiofrequency hand piece and an RFAL computer device.

BodyTite™ is ideal for many treatment areas where there is excess fat including: abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, arms, knees and neck. BodyTite™ liposuction for women is probably most applicable for those who are in good health having excess fat deposits in specific areas of the body. This can be performed under local anesthesia or light sedation rather than general anesthesia. The procedure itself takes 30 - 45 minutes to complete. It may vary slightly depending on the treatment area, complexity, size, and the amount of fat being removed.

Benefits and Advantages of BodyTite™

• Superior body contouring and firming results
• Less downtime
• Less painful recovery
• Improved safety
• Less bruising, swelling
• Minimal discomfort
• Requires only local anesthesia, therefore no side effects

Once you have made the decision to undergo BodyTite™ liposuction treatment, the most important consideration should be to find an experienced plastic surgeon. A talented surgeon can provide the finest treatment and care you deserve, thus bringing back the youthful appearance that you’re looking for.

Pros and Cons of Low Level Laser Treatment

The field of low level laser therapy is one of the newest ones in the medical and scientific timeline, having emerged in the mid-60s, just a few years after the first laser was successfully tested in 1960 by American physicist Theodore Maiman. But the concept of using light to treat medical ailments is a lot older than that, the earliest 20th century example being the studies of Nobel Prize winning scientist Niels Finsen. In 1903, Finsen studied the effects of ultraviolet radiation in the killing of bacteria on cutaneous tuberculosis.

For the most part, though, pre-laser studies into the clinical uses of light focused on light’s thermal destructive powers. It wasn’t until the laser was invented that focus shifted somewhat towards the non-destructive benefits of light emission, which is at the basis of the low level laser therapy field.

The Pros

Low level laser therapy began with the experiments of Endre Mester, who proved the positive effects of low level laser light in the stimulation of tissue repair, placing his emphasis on the potential for healing diabetic ulcers.

Since then, further studies have shown low level laser therapy to be beneficial in the treatment of neck pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other musculatory problems.

Low level laser therapy is painless and non-invasive. Also, all studies conducted have shown low level laser therapy to have no adverse side-effects, which have made it a popular alternative to more drastic treatments or medication.

The Cons

Because it’s a new medical field, low level laser treatment studies vary a lot in the ways that they are conducted. As a result, many of the claims of such studies are often undermined by the fact that the methodology used for the research was not up to par with scientific standards. Thus, there are a lot of companies out there who advertise low level laser treatments that have yet to be officially proven to work and accepted by the larger clinical and medical community, and might thus be falsely presented.

The FDA, though it has officially approved a variety of low level laser treatments, still considers the field as experimental, due to an insufficient number of trials and evidence. However, companies who specialize in low level laser therapy are working to conduct proper scientific studies in hopes advancing the legitimacy of their field.

To find out more about low level laser therapy and the breast augmentation laser please visit http://www.erchonia.com.