Facial Plast Surg 2018; 34(01): 043-049
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1615824
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Upper Lid Thick Skin Blepharoplasty

Norman Pastorek
1   Facial Plastic Surgery, New York, New York
2   Department of Facial Plastic Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Med Center, New York, New York
,
Benjamin Bradford
3   Department of Otolaryngology – Head/Neck Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
06 February 2018 (online)

Abstract

While many of the basic tenants of upper lid blepharoplasty remain constant regardless of skin type, the thick-skinned eyelid patient requires special consideration. The brow may be naturally lower in the thick-skinned patient. These patients are more prone to having the brow pulled downward while attempting to remove redundant skin. There may also be more fat in the medial and central compartments. There may be fat in a lateral compartment overlying the lacrimal gland. Patient's expectations for a deep lid sulcus and complete excision of redundant skin may not be possible. They are more prone to an observable scar, a small dog ear at the lateral wound edge, and prolonged postoperative lid edema. Patients with lifelong upper lid fullness must get some input from significant others because their upper face aesthetic will change. In these patients, the eyelid surgery is not a rejuvenation, but a creation.