Blepharoplasty & Upper Facial Rejuvenation

Blepharoplasty & Upper Facial Rejuvenation

On the 19th and 20th of September this year the Masters Symposium with an emphasis on Blepharoplasty and Upper Facial Rejuvenation was held in Sydney. This event saw the best of the industries professionals come together to present their expertise knowledge in their specialized fields of work.

Dr. Peter Callan a plastic surgeon from Melbourne, Victoria who has over 20 years experience performing blepharoplasty was attending the Masters Symposium to talk about the subcutaneous brow lift and transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects sagging above the eye and bags under the eyes. It may also give a brow lift in the same procedure. Blepharoplasty is usually performed to remove excess skin and fat to improve vision. It can also be performed for cosmetic reasons as well.

Considering the Masters Symposium was based on the blepharoplasty procedure we were very interested to hear Dr. Peter Callan’s opinion on the transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty and why this surgery is important.

When we caught up with Dr. Peter Callan he reminded us why the eyes are such a significant feature of a persons face and how crucial the eyes are in defining our health as an individual.

“The eyelids and surrounding areas are critical to defining a person’s facial features, how they see themselves and how other people know them. It is also an area, which can relay to others how a person feels, how refreshed or tired they are, and how well they look. When there is a disconnect or disharmony around the eyes people often seek attention, mentioning such things as “I look tired”, “how do I get rid of these bags”, “I can’t see properly because my eyelids are hanging down” or “I can’t put eye makeup on” explained Dr. Peter Callan.

Surprisingly Dr. Callan informed us that the lower eyelids are just as important in shaping the face as the upper eyelids.

“The difference between surgery on upper and lower lids is “gravity”. Lower eyelid shape depends on the eyelid sitting nicely applied to the eye. It supports itself and is also supported from below. The reason lower eyelid surgery is more difficult is that if this support is not respected the eyelid shape can change. Thus it is essential that you see a surgeon experienced with eyelid surgery and to know that upper and lower eyelid surgery can be performed independently of each other.”

Dr. Callan did inform us that it would be his preference that if a patient did want an upper and lower blepharoplasty completed then he would prefer to perform them at the same time. Taking into account the time for recovery and that the lower eyelids take longer to recover, it is best to have the two procedures performed together so that the body can heal from the stress of surgery all at the one time.

Just as there are risks connected to any form of surgery, there are also risks associated with lower blepharoplasty. On the lower eyelid internal tissue disruption, muscle injury, scarring, and/or shortage of skin may contribute to produce an eyelid that is turned out, pulled down or rounded at the corners. Substantial preexisting midface descent may leave a hollow beneath the operated lid. All of these are potential issues that may arise from lower blepharoplasty surgery.

Dr. Peter Callan informed us that lower eyelid surgery today respects and preserves all tissues particularly the muscle and skin, but all of the tissues are handled with extreme care and fat is rarely removed these days in lower lid blepharoplasty.

“This minimises the risk in experienced surgeons’ hands. Despite this, complications can still occur in the best of hands, including those factors mentioned, although the risk can be minimised if the patient is fit and well, does not smoke, and looks after him or herself around the time of surgery. Some patients may need special advice. Patients with mid face descent may need a lift, and patients who have had surgery before need special advice and care. Patients with dry eyes and those with poor cheek support (what we call a negative vector) must proceed with extreme caution and may not be suitable for surgery. Patients with a single seeing eye or poor vision also need special advice. Some systemic diseases can affect the eye and a thorough consultation and examination is required” explained Dr. Peter Callan.

If you would like more information on the upper or lower blepharoplasty or to book a consultation with Dr. Peter Callan you can do so by clicking here.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Master Symposium 2014.

Further Reading Related to Blepharoplasty