Lateral Brow Lift Provides Youthful Results

Introducing the lateral brow lift, a quick and easy way to improve the hooding of the eyelid without performing a blepharoplasty (eyelid lift). 

This new procedure is a miniature version of a full brow lift because it focuses on the ouside portion of your eyebrow and can provide lift to an area that tends to show age. The procedure takes about 45 minutes and raises the outside eyebrow. The incision is in the hairline and is about two inches long.

Not only is this procedure effective, it is less costly than a full brow lift. If you would like more information on this procedure now being offered to San Antonio men and women, contact Dr. Robert Young.

Eyelid Surgeries Can Lead To Temporary Dry Eye Symptoms For Some

by Andrea L. Algar

In my experience, any potential side effects, whether from surgery or a medication, can often be more easily tolerated if you know in advance what the potential complications may be. Not only will it avoid an unpleasant surprise, but you may have the opportunity to identify it quickly and get practical advice on how to handle them.

Eyelid Surgery is known
as blepharoplasty

An article which appeared in the October 15, 2012 Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery addressed the fact that following eyelid surgeries many patients experience "dry eye" symptoms.

Dry eye is definitely an irritating thing to develop. I've had it myself, and not from eyelid surgery. It can be extremely uncomfortable.

Some follow up studies show that as many as one fourth of men and women who have blepharoplasty (eyelid) procedures experience some degree of dry eye following their procedure.

Dry eye symptoms can include:

• stinging or burning of the eye
• scratchy sensation in eye
• a sandy or gritty feeling as if something is in the eye
• feeling like someone is "blowing through a straw" in your eye
• excessive "tearing"
• production of mucus in or around your eyes

Symptoms can range from mild to persistent, but not everyone develops these symptoms and there is no definitive test to determine who will and who will not develop symptoms. That said, it seems that some may be more prone to experiencing dry eye with or without eyelid surgery. Women who are menopausal, just starting hormone replacement therapy or going on birth control for the first time, and men or women who have had difficulty wearing contact lenses may be more at risk.

One of the surprising findings of a study which was performed by a Minnesota facial plastic surgeon on 892 patients over a ten year period, was that dry eye was more common in those patients who had both upper and lower lids done at the same time. It also seemed to indicate that the more aggressive the surgical techniques were, the greater risk of dry eye. Disruption of the "blink", which causes the eye surface to lose some of the lubrication provided by one's blink response, seems to be one of the most probable causes.

The good news is that dry eye is fairly easy to treat. Often, symptoms can be helped with eye drops or ointments. It is not usually an indicator of something bad happening, and should not be cause for alarm. If you develop dry eye following an eyelid lift, make sure you discuss it with your physician at your post-op visit. He/she will be able to help advise you on the best treatment for the type of symptoms you're experiencing.

Eyelid lifts average of $3,000 to $4,000 in the San Antonio area, depending on whether you get two lids or all four lids done. According to the  American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, eyelid lifts were the second most popular type of facial plastic surgery after rhinoplasty (nose jobs) in 2011.  Board Certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Young says, "Eyelid surgery is an excellent way to create a more youthful appearance for men and women at the age where they are starting to notice more wrinkles and loose skin around the eyes. It can shave years off one's appearance. Most patients are extremely happy after their eyelid lift procedures. We've always had women request eyelid lifts as they age, but we've seen a noticeable increase in the number of men wanting eyelid lifts in recent years. It's a relatively easy procedure that produces real results."

Should you be overly concerned about dry eye if you're thinking of an eyelid lift? Probably not. But, it is something to know could develop, and if it does, that there are effective treatments for a problem which is usually very short term.

What do you think? Have you ever considered eyelid lift to refresh your face?

REFERENCE:
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, October 2012
WebMD - Dry Eyes: Causes and Treatments

More Men Looking At Cosmetic Surgery

by Robert N. Young, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

I've noticed more men coming to my specialty practice for cosmetic surgery procedures over the last year or two. What is most striking is that in addition to the more common liposuction and rhinoplasty, there has been an increase in full facelift, abdominoplasty "tummy tuck" and blepharoplasty "eyelid lift". I am also seeing requests for calf implants, pectoral "pec" implants, and other procedures which promote a more healthy, youthful appearance.

Many articles suggest that both men and women are trying to "put their best foot forward" in terms of remaining competitive in the current job market, and the fact that the number of men coming in for Botox(R) and facial fillers may support this theory.

Male cosmetic plastic surgery seems to be growing in popularity and I am happy to discuss both surgical and non-surgical alternatives to help men achieve their goals.