The
lower eyelids more commonly demonstrate
"bags" which give the
appearance that one is continuously
tired. These "bags"
are due to the bulging of three
fat pads which lie within the
lower lid. The excess skin of
the lower lids is usually much
less than that of the upper eyelids.
If there is very little relaxed
skin to remove, the operation
can be performed through incisions
which lie on the inside of the
eyelid (transconjunctival). If
it is necessary to remove skin,
the incision is made just below
the eyelashes in a normal crease.
The incision extends outward to
the level of the bone around the
eye.
Both
upper and lower eyelid tucks
can be done at the same time.
The operation takes about 2
hours for all four lids. Sutures
are removed in 5 days from the
external eye, and most patients
state that there is very little
discomfort with the procedure.
Restrictions
following the operation involve
avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous
activity for several weeks,
and patients should not smoke
for several weeks before and
after the surgery. Contact lens
wearers are required to avoid
wearing their lenses for at
least one week after surgery.
Vitamin
therapy is helpful two weeks
before and after surgery for
healing and decreased bruising.
Swelling will diminish over
a 1 to 2 week period of time.
Itchiness of the healing scar
is not uncommon, and may last
for several months.
