Eyelid Surgery Revision CENTER FOR FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY AT ENT SPECIALISTS
Eyelid Surgery Revision
The eyelids are the most complex facial structures because they are dynamic (they
move) and they have the important role of protecting and lubricating the eyes. The eyes
are “the windows to the soul” and play an important role in body language and human
interaction. For these reasons, eyelid surgery is highly specialized and usually performed
by surgeons with special training in oculoplastic or oculofacial plastic surgery.
Sometimes, the results of eyelid surgery do not meet the patient’s expectations or, even
worse, can severely impair eyelid function, resulting in dry eyes, tearing, pain and
decreased vision. Lagophthalmos (inability to close the eyes) because of too much skin
and muscle removal at the time of blepharoplasty surgery can lead to permanent
corneal scars and vision loss. Removal of significant muscle and fat at the time of
blepharoplasty surgery can make one look older instead of younger and, sometimes,
completely change the shape of the eyes.
In addition, the results of blepharoplasty surgery depend not only on the expertise of
the surgeon but also on the body’s own ability to heal and the patient following the
postoperative instructions.
Dr Dan Georgescu had two years of specialized training in cosmetic and reconstructive
oculoplastic surgery (ASOPRS fellowship) and 15 years of experience in the field and can
help you regain your normal eyelid function and shape, after a prior unsuccessful or
complicated blepharoplasty. The goal of revision blepharoplasty is to help your eyelids
function again as good windshield wipers and fully close to avoid the dry eye syndrome,
the tearing, the redness, and the pain that you may experience. In addition, by using
special, scarless techniques that can involve restoring the lost volume with fat
transposition or fat grafting, reforming the normal eyelid crease, and lifting the cheeks,
the natural shapes and contours of the eyelids can be restored to an aesthetically
pleasing result.
Eyelid revision surgery is significantly more challenging and time consuming than the
original blepharoplasty and requires very advanced training and expertise in both
cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery. For these reasons, revision blepharoplasty is
usually more expensive than primary blepharoplasty.
BEFORE THE SURGERY
From the time of your first consultation (whether on-line or in person) till the day of surgery you will have the opportunity to discuss with Dr Georgescu and his staff all your questions and concerns related to the surgical procedure, the preparation and the recovery. Make sure you fulfill all your financial obligations at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. Stop all anticoagulants (Eliquis, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Plavix, Coumadin, Warfarin), anti-inflammatory medication (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin) and all vitamins and supplements (except for Calcium and Vit. D) two weeks prior to surgery, but only with the approval of your primary care doctor or cardiologist. Make sure you fill your prescriptions before surgery, as you will not be able go to the pharmacy immediately after surgery. You need to make arrangements for someone to bring you to the surgery center and take you back home, as you will not be able to drive the day of surgery. You also need someone to stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.
THE DAY OF SURGERY
If your surgery is scheduled in the office, you can have a light meal before coming in. Take your regular medication as usual. Avoid drinking coffee or alcohol on the day of surgery. If the surgery is scheduled in the ambulatory surgery center, do not eat or drink anything past 10:00 PM the night before! If you need to take your blood pressure or anxiety medication, do so with a sip of water when you wake up. Make sure you arrive at the office or the surgery center at the time indicated (our staff will call you the day prior with the exact time you need to be there). Our surgery center staff will greet you and make sure all the consent forms have been. Your companion can either wait in our comfortable waiting area, where there is coffee, water and snacks, or can return back home and we will call as soon as the surgery is over. You will be then taken to your room where our nurses will place an IV and EKG electrodes. A urine pregnancy test is performed on all pre-menopausal women. Then, you will meet in person our anesthesiologist who will discuss with you the anesthesia procedure. Most surgeries are done under sedation. Dr Georgescu will come and read to you the consent form and answer any last-minute questions you may have. He will then do the skin markings and may take some additional photographs. The bed will then be wheeled into the operating room where the time out will be performed before you go to sleep. The anesthesiologist will then give you IV medication that will allow you to fall asleep. At the end of surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where you will wake up with no pain. We typically use ice-packs in recovery for 20 minutes to decrease swelling. You and your companion will be shown in detail how to apply the ointments and ice. After approximately 30 minutes you will be discharged to go home with your companion. We will bring you to the car in a wheelchair. You will be given Dr Georgescu’s personal cell number to call at any time if you have any questions or concerns.
RECOVERY & RESULTS
Most patients take between 7 and 10 days off after blepharoplasty revision surgery.
Stitches dissolve or are removed at 10 days. Bruising and swelling typically go away in
about 2-3 weeks. Antibiotic and pain medication may be prescribed for a few days. You
will need to apply ice packs 20 min / hour while awake for 2 days. Starting on the 3 rd day
you switch to warm compresses twice a day 10 min each till the bruising is completely
gone. You will need to apply antibiotic ophthalmic ointment on the incisions and inside
the eyes 4 times a day for 3 weeks. You will also apply Refresh Relieva PF artificial tears
every hour for 2 weeks followed by every 2 hours for 2 weeks and 6 times a day for 2
more weeks.
Starting on the 5 th day we will begin the INDIBA RF lymph massage that is performed in
our office and takes less than 30 minutes. The 3 complimentary sessions are scheduled 3
days apart and will speed-up your recovery by decreasing bruising and swelling.
Strenuous activity, such as golf, swimming, tennis and weightlifting should be avoided
for 3 weeks. Walking is allowed the day after surgery. Running and biking can be
resumed after 1 week. The hair can be dyed after one month. Makeup can be applied as
early as 2 weeks after surgery.
You will need to come back to the office the following day to make sure your eyes are
well lubricated and that you are healing well. You will also be seen on days 7 and 14
followed by 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. However, Dr Georgescu is available to see
you at any time if you have questions or concerns.
Seek Dr DAN’s Advice
Would you like to ask Dr Dan a question? Or perhaps arrange an appointment?
If so, please complete the following form.
2122 NW 62nd ST, Ste 229 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
