Kansas City Eyelid Surgery

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Dr. Lamb understands that more than any other facial feature, the eyes have a tremendous impact on your appearance. Unfortunately, your eyes are often the first place to show signs of aging. This is because the skin around your eyes is half as thick as on the rest of your face. It also has fewer oil glands, weaker internal support, and gets more exercise than even your mouth. All that, combined with hereditary factors, sun damage, stress and fatigue, explain why the eyelids are often the first to go. Dr. believes many of these problems can be addressed through blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery.

Eyelid surgery can remove bags, pouches and excess skin from under and over the eyes. It can sometimes help those whose vision has been impaired by sagging skin or fat. Sometimes it's accompanied by a forehead and eyebrow lift----two terrific procedures that can often lessen forehead wrinkles and creases, and raise drooping, sagging eyebrows.

Most of your friends and fellow workers won't know you've had eyelid surgery unless you tell them, though many will probably remark on your improved appearance. There is usually a substantial improvement that will prompt people to comment on it. You will be amazed at how a little improvement in your eyes can have such a dramatic impact on both your physical appearance and your mental attitude. Afterwards you should look refreshed and alert. Many patients look considerably younger and healthier as well. And when you look in the mirror and see a brighter, happier, younger-looking face looking back, you may feel younger too.

Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation

Dr. Lamb begins the eyelid surgery process with a comprehensive screening and personal consultation. During your appointment, he will talk to you about what you are unhappy with and what hope to accomplish. Dr. Lamb is not only an excellent surgeon but also a very good listener. After your discussion and a thorough examination, Dr. Lamb can determine if the eyelid procedure is right for you.

Your Eyelid Surgery Procedure

The eyelid procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis. The eyelid surgery procedure usually takes about an hour. Dr. Lamb will review all of your preoperative requirements prior to the procedure.

If you are just having upper eyelid surgery, your incision will fall within the naturally occurring crease in your eyelid. Excess skin and underlying muscle tissue as well as the fat pads from the upper eyelids will be taken out in a pattern resembling a French curve. The upper eyelid incision is then closed with a pullout suture placed immediately below the skin edge resulting in a surgical scar generally inconspicuous almost immediately following the procedure.

If you are having lower eyelids surgery, Dr. Lamb will determine which of the various techniques is most applicable to your anatomy depending on the degree of problems in the lower eyelid. For puffiness with minimal skin laxity, an incision is made on the inside of the eyelid and small amounts of fat are removed from the three anatomic fat pads within the lower eyelid. For greater degrees of skin laxity and laxity within the eyelid itself, the incision line for the lower eyelids is generally placed at the lower lash line margin and extended just slightly beyond the lateral corner of the eye in a naturally occurring crow's foot crease. Excess fat is trimmed and sagging orbicularis muscle is resuspended and excess skin and muscle trimmed. The incision line closure is generally inconspicuous almost immediately following surgery. Through a similar approach the entire midface and cheek can be resuspended to achieve a more youthful central face without the traditional amount of surgical dissection and incision scars associated with a facelift.

After Your Eyelid Surgery Procedure

After surgery, you may experience some soreness and discomfort, although pain is generally mild and is easily controlled by medication which will be prescribed. Typically, most patients are up and around a day or two after surgery, although one should take it easy for seven to ten days without strenuous activity. Some visual blurring may be evident within the first two to four days as well, a result of swelling around the eye. The sutures usually come out in four to five days, and bruising and swelling are usually mild. Any residual bruising can be covered with make-up following suture removal. Sometimes, patients may experience excessive tearing or sensitivity to bright light or wind for a brief period after surgery. If you tend to have dryness in your eyes, it may be necessary to use artificial tears and night time ointments for a few weeks to a few months.

Dr. Lamb encourages you to review his before and after Eyelid Surgery pictures to see examples of his work. He has many more photos in his office and will be glad to review these with you at your consultation.

Financing

Eyelid Surgery is generally considered an elective procedure and is not covered by insurance. As with any investment, you do have the option to finance your cosmetic procedure. Dr. Lamb offers financing through three companies: