Atlanta’s Favorite Eyelid Surgeon

• Individuals who are in overall good health

• Individuals who do NOT have serious eye conditions

• Non-smokers

• People who have a positive outlook and realistic expectations

Additionally, some people may have vision impairments when looking upwards is blocked by hanging skin. You might be a good candidate for blepharoplasty if your vision is affected by sagging skin.

During your initial eyelid surgery consultation, be prepared to discuss the goals you hope to achieve with eyelid surgery. Additionally, be prepared to discuss with Dr. Sinha any medical conditions you may have, including any drug allergies and problems you have had with your eyes.

Also, inform Dr. Sinha of any medications you may take, including vitamins, alcohol, tobacco, and/or drug use. Dr. Sinha will also inquire about any previous surgeries you may have had and their outcomes.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Sinha will assess your general health and take photographs. He will also discuss your eyelid surgery options, likely outcomes, and any potential risks. Your consultation is the time to ask any questions you may have regarding your eyelid surgery. It is normal to feel some anxiety and stress, and you should not hesitate to discuss these feelings with Dr. Sinha. You may take a visual field test to assess any visual obstruction caused by drooping skin and excess fat which are partially covered by insurance.

During your eyelid surgery consultation, some good questions to ask Dr. Sinha may include:

• Are you certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery?

• How many years have you been performing plastic surgery and how many cases have you done?

• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

• What will be expected of me to get the best results?

• Where and how will you perform my procedure?

• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?

• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?

• How are complications handled?

• How can I expect my eyes to look over time?

• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my eyelid surgery?

• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?

Dr. Sinha will more than likely ask you to stop taking any medications that increase bleeding risks, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or blood thinners. You will also be asked to stop smoking several weeks before your blepharoplasty surgery.

Additionally, this procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at our surgical center. Therefore, you will have to arrange for care after the surgery. Someone must drive you home and be available to care for you for the first 24 hours following your eyelid surgery. For limited surgery, you may be a candidate for having this procedure under local anesthesia.

Before you undergo your eyelid surgery, you should prepare for the first few days following your surgery, as your eyelids may be swollen to the point that your ability to perform some activities may be impaired, so make sure you have all the items you need so you won't have to leave home.

• Ice packs or bags of frozen peas

• Small gauze pads

• Eye lubricants such as artificial tears and night-time gels

• Over the counter painkillers (type should be recommended by Dr. Sinha)

• AVOID Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Aleve, and Aspirin due to the increased risk of bleeding

Dr. Sinha will perform your blepharoplasty at our on-site surgical center, assisted by a team of dedicated and highly skilled medical professionals and registered nurses. As this surgery requires an extreme level of precision when removing skin and fat to avoid complications, Dr. Sinha's "measure twice, cut once" approach is in high demand.

Surgery may be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia depending on the complexity of the case.

We have spacious in-office procedure suites, as well as an on-site surgical center that caters for one patient at a time and is fully equipped with the latest medical technology for a world-class plastic surgery experience.

Upper blepharoplasty involves identifying the natural upper eyelid crease on each eyelid and designing a skin excision that removes enough skin to alleviate the issue and preserves enough to allow normal eyelid closure. This eyelid surgery focuses primarily on the removal of excess skin, fat, and muscle that falls over the natural crease of the eye that creates an undesirable hooded appearance which is addressed with surgery.

A proper assessment is also conducted to determine if the excessive upper lid fullness is caused by an excess of the eyelid skin or by drooping eyebrows.

Aesthetically, it is performed to improve the presence of the eye, creating a more rounded look. It is also the most common for medical needs to restore the function of the lid by removing excess skin that may be impairing a patient's vision.

When the procedure is complete, the eyelid is closed with sutures. The incision should lie in the eyelid crease, making it less visible after healing.

Lower eyelid surgery can involve skin incisions directly below the lash line or an incision on the inside of the eyelid, called a transconjunctival approach. The transconjunctival approach allows for access to the eyelid without visible incisions and corrects sagging and puffy under eye bags. An incision through a naturally occurring crease below the eyelid is the subciliary approach which allows for removal of excessive skin as well as fat.

When surgically removed, wrinkles and fine lines can be eliminated and provide a more youthful and healthy appearance.

For volume restoration of the lower lids and cheeks, a blepharoplasty can be performed in conjunction with fat transfer or the administration of dermal fillers.

Complications are unlikely when performed by a surgeon with experience, such as Dr. Sinha. However, the area surrounding the eyes will be swollen following the surgery, but it should begin to subside after the third day, and some temporary vision blurring is normal.

Stitches will be removed in 4-5 days. Swelling and bruising may persist for about 10 days, but you can begin wearing makeup to help conceal these concerns. You may expect to resume normal activity within a week to 10 days and enjoy your new look within approximately 10-14 days. In some cases, it may take about six months for scars to lose their redness.

Wrinkling will recur later in life, but it is unlikely the "bags" will reappear since the fat has been removed. Deeper wrinkles around the outer eye are not greatly affected by an eyelid lift. Deeper wrinkles around the outer eye may be treated with laser resurfacing.

In the days immediately following your eyelid surgery, you may temporarily experience:

• Blurred vision from the lubricating ointment applied to your eyes

• Watering eyes

• Light sensitivity

• Double vision

• Puffy, numb eyelids

• Swelling and bruising similar to having a black eye

• Pain or discomfort

Recovery from blepharoplasty is relatively short compared with other types of surgeries. After your procedure you will be moved to a recovery room where you will be monitored while awakening from anesthesia. Unless there are any complications, you'll go home the same day.

Following eyelid surgery, it is important to rest for a few days. You may experience some swelling and pain, but Dr. Sinha will recommend an over the counter pain medication to relieve these symptoms and lots of cold compresses. It can take a week or two for these symptoms to fully go away.

Dr. Sinha may also recommend the following steps after your eyelid surgery:

• Use ice packs on your eyes for 15-20 minutes every hour the night after surgery. The day after your surgery use ice packs on your eyes four to five times throughout the day.

• Gently clean your eyelids and use lubricant eye drops or ointments.

• Avoid straining, heavy lifting and swimming for a week.

• Avoid strenuous activities, such as aerobics and jogging, for a week.

• Avoid smoking.

• Avoid rubbing your eyes.

• If you use contact lenses, don't put them in for about two weeks after surgery.

• Wear darkly tinted sunglasses to protect the skin of your eyelids from sun and wind.

• Sleep with your head raised higher than your chest for a few days.

• Apply cool compresses to reduce swelling.

• A few days after your procedure, you will see Dr. Sinha again for evaluation and to remove any stitches as necessary.

Eyelid surgery is an extremely personal choice, and you will have to weigh the potential benefits in achieving your goals along with the risks and possible complications. Only you can make the decision for yourself. Some possible eyelid surgery risks include:

• Anesthesia risks

• Swelling and bruising

• Bleeding from the incision lines

• Dryness to the eyes

• Sensitivity to sun or other bright light

• Difficulty closing your eyes

• Infection

• Temporary or even permanent change in vision.

• Changes in skin sensation or numbness of the eyelashes

• Pain

• Possible need for revision surgery

• Unfavorable scarring

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with Dr. Sinha.

The cost of blepharoplasty surgery varies. This surgery cost is only part of the total price. This average cost does not include the cost of anesthesia, operating room facilities, testing, or medical prescriptions.

Bear in mind, a surgeon's fee is based on his or her experience. Remember, your trust and comfort with your board-certified facial plastic surgeon is just as important as the final cost of the surgery.

Health insurance typically does not cover cosmetic procedures; however, your insurance company may pay for a portion of, or all, the cost of surgery if the procedure is performed as a result of visual impairment from excessive skin and fat blocking upper visual fields. Because every insurance carrier is different, it is recommended that you check with your own insurance company to determine the level of coverage.

In the case that excessive eyelid skin and/or drooping brows are hindering eyesight, corrective surgeries such as upper eyelid or brow lift surgery may be eligible for insurance coverage. It can also be performed in conjunction with cosmetic lower lid surgery.

At the Atlanta Institute for Facial Aesthetic Surgery, we offer Visual Field Testing to determine whether your vision is impaired by drooping eyelids.

Most cosmetic providers choose to avoid getting involved in the financial aspect of the procedure and rely on third party financing. Even if your credit is less than stellar and you think you won't qualify for a personal loan, you might be surprised.

While cosmetic surgery is expensive, don't let that scare you away. Lending requirements are more lenient than ever before, and with research and diligence, you can prepare for that cosmetic surgery of your dreams.