For many people, feeling confident and proud of their facial appearance is a priority. Regardless of age or gender, a person’s facial appearance can contribute significantly to their self-esteem. Our eyes, in addition to their obvious physiological function, when bright and rested-looking, can make a great first impression or simply help to improve how someone feels about themself when they look in the mirror. While ocular care is strictly medical, and unrelated to facial aesthetic, the eyes do much more than see; they are seen, and while droopy eyelids, or fatty bags under the eyes do not usually impact their functionality, such aesthetic imperfections can greatly affect the overall appearance. Fortunately, there are many elective cosmetic procedures to choose from, that are designed to impact and improve the skin surrounding the eyes.
Blepharoplasty is the most commonly performed dermal rejuvenation surgery, used to remove excess fat, skin and tissue, surrounding the eyes. Blepharoplasty is an elective, cosmetic surgery that can also be combined with a second surgery, if requested and /or recommended.
Dr. Solomon an Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon practicing in Facial Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, is among Toronto’s top facial plastic surgeons, with a wealth of experience and a diverse portfolio of successful procedures, including blepharoplasty.
Commonly referred to as an “eyelid surgery”, blepharoplasty can be used to correct almost any aesthetic flaw associated with the area surrounding the eyes. Blepharoplasty can be used to remove eye bags by relocating fat pads beneath the eyes, by lifting drooping eyelids above the eyes or by tightening and lifting skin surrounding the eyes, all of which create a healthier, more youthful, refreshed appearance. Heavy eye bags, drooping eyelids, and other issues that lead people to consider eyelid surgery, are not necessarily exclusive to an aging population. While commonly performed on patients over forty, it is not entirely uncommon to be performed on a younger individual.
While Blepharoplasty is a common and gentle surgical procedure, it is always necessary that you share your full medical history with your doctor prior to surgery. Be sure to share all medications and supplements you are currently taking as well, because some can interfere with the healing process. Results do vary based on a few variables such as age, overall health of the patient and in general, each individual responds to surgical procedures uniquely.
Should an individual desire more dramatic changes to their physical aesthetic, a secondary procedure may be recommended to compliment the effects of their blepharoplasty.
Although blepharoplasty has been thoroughly researched, and safely practiced for many years, there are inherent risks to consider when undergoing any surgery, no matter how minor. Before committing to the procedure, prospective patients of Dr. Philip Solomon will be scheduled for a private consultation, in either his Toronto or Thornhill office.
The purpose of this private and personal consultation is to properly educate any prospective patient about the risks associated with general anesthesia. It’s also a time for you to discuss your personal goals (read: desired post-surgical aesthetic), and the long term benefits of blepharoplasty. Certain medical conditions (eg. diabetes) require special accommodation when considering an elective surgery, so be sure to disclose any existing medical conditions before committing to any elective surgical procedure. A complete physical may be required before your surgical procedure involving general anesthesia.
Dr. Solomon may also request a prospective patient to visit an ophthalmologist and/or complete an eye health exam, to ensure eligibility. Due to the inherent risks involved in even the safest procedures, there are some lifestyle changes recommended to any and all prospective patients such as discontinuing any medications, or herbal supplements associated with bleeding (a comprehensive list will be provided).
Blepharoplasty is an elective cosmetic surgery designed to rejuvenate the aesthetic appearance of the skin, and tissues surrounding the eyes. During blepharoplasty, incisions are made along the natural lines of the upper and lower eyelid; Dr. Solomon will use these natural creases to better camouflage any evidence of surgery within the natural contours of the brow and/or eyelids. Alternatively, Dr. Solomon may use the transconjunctival approach that requires an incision be made on the inner aspect of the lower eyelid so there will be no visible scar. A transconjunctival approach is quite often combined with lower eyelid laser resurfacing for optimal results.
Blepharoplasty is a personalized surgery and each procedure is specifically designed to cater to the individual patient’s desired aesthetic results, and unique medical needs.
An upper blepharoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia and the surgery itself typically takes about one hour. If the surgery is performed using general anesthesia the patient will require a 2 hour recovery period. For a Lower blepharoplasty, the surgery time is roughly the same, one hour in duration and is always performed under general anesthesia. Should a patient want both an upper and lower blepharoplasty, they can be performed during the same procedure time if desired. Oftentimes, patients combine C02 laser resurfacing to the lower eyelids to tighten the skin and smooth out fine lines as well. We do require all patients leave accompanied by a family member or a friend to ensure their safety, regardless of whether the surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia.
Depending on the patient and extent of the surgery, Dr. Solomon may use traditional or dissolvable stitches/sutures. If traditional stitches are used during Blepharoplasty, they will require removal by Dr. Solomon or one of his registered nurses at his Toronto or Thornhill clinic, approximately one week after the surgery is performed.
Blepharoplasty boasts a remarkably brief period of recovery. Most patients experience mild swelling and/or bruising around the eyes, for roughly 1 week following surgery. This may be reduced by simply applying a cold compress to the affected area and sleeping with your head elevated for the first few days following surgery. Barring unforeseen complications. Blepharoplasty recipients, on average, are able to resume normal activities between seven to ten days following surgery.
Blepharoplasty is heralded as one of the most popular elective eyelid enhancement surgeries available, having been successfully performed on hundreds of thousands of people throughout North America. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons ranks Blepharoplasty among the top five elective cosmetic, procedures performed on both men and women.
Blepharoplasty can be used in combination with other non-surgical procedures such as Botox/ fat grafting or fillers to produce a more dramatic result than that of a single procedure. Each prospective patient will discuss their unique aesthetic goals with Dr. Solomon, in his Toronto or Thornhill office, in order to determine if a blepharoplasty surgery will be best complemented by another surgical procedure or non-surgical procedure for optimal results. Each prospective patient will discuss their unique aesthetic goals with Dr. Solomon in order to determine what treatment plan would best achieve their aesthetic goals.
Your eyes are one of the most expressive features of your face, so when fine lines, wrinkles, sagging upper lids, and bags under lower lids appear, you may look tired, or aged beyond your years. A traditional blepharoplasty (surgical eyelid lift) is a safe and effective solution, however, if you wish to avoid a surgical procedure, there is a new method for rejuvenating the eyelid area. Solomon Facial Plastic Nasal and Facial Surgery Centre was one of the first in the Toronto area to offer another option using the UltraPulse® Fractionated CO2 Laser.
CO2 lasers have been used successfully for years in skin resurfacing, however, only recently has this technology been employed to provide patients with a laser alternative to the surgical eyelid lift procedure.
The UltraPulse® Fractionated CO2 Laser, in most cases, can enable Dr. Solomon to safely, and precisely cut away excess skin and/or fat pads above the eyes without bleeding. In certain instances, no sutures were required; the visible wrinkles literally shrink away when exposed to the laser energy. The procedure also effectively softens wrinkles, and eliminates fine lines that often appear under your eyes, and may have been difficult to treat using other methods. The powerful UltraPulse® Fractionated CO2 Laser provides dramatic results, usually requiring only one to two treatments with less downtime and bruising than traditional surgery.
When selecting a plastic surgeon for an elective procedure, a little research goes a long way toward ensuring long lasting, satisfying results. Plastic surgery of the face and neck is a highly specialized field, due to the physical delicacy of the skin, muscles, and other tissues involved. Dr. Solomon is a certified Otolaryngologist, in Canada and the USA, by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, specializing in reconstructive and elective plastic surgery of the head and neck.
Dr. Solomon has been published, multiple times, in peer reviewed medical journals, and also holds a certification, in the fields of plastic and reconstructive surgery, from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Solomon has trained in Canada and abroad, and has just completed an 8 year, 2 term tenure as Chief of surgery at York Central Hospital, now recognized as Mackenzie Health Hospital. Dr. Solomon is listed among the teaching faculty at the esteemed University of Toronto. Dr. Solomon also holds offices in Etobicoke General Hospital, and St. Michael’s Hospital, in Toronto.
For further inquiries regarding blepharoplasty or any other cosmetic procedure involving the face and/or neck, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Solomon and his team at Solomon Facial Plastic Surgery.
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Please also visit Dr. Solomon’s information on Facelift, Facetite, Facial Implants, Blepharoplasty, Buccal Fat Extraction, Brow Lift, Lip Lift, Lip Implants, Facial Fat Transfer and Transgender Surgery.
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In order to best assist you, we require all cosmetic patients to schedule a virtual or in-person consultation. There is a fee of $100 plus HST for all consultations. Your consultation fee will be credited towards your procedure and/or treatment. To schedule a consultation, please complete the attached form or call our office at 905-764-7799. We look forward to hearing from you.
