Dr. James Morris Stuzin, MD

During a blepharoplasty, tiny incisions are made under local anesthesia, and any excess skin or underlying tissue is removed from the eyelids. The procedure takes between one and three hours, and patients may have bruising and swelling around their eyes for a few days afterwards. Icing the area may help.

The surgery is sometimes done along with other facial surgery as part of a facelift. Typically, a blepharoplasty is considered cosmetic. In severe cases, however, upper eyelids may droop so significantly that they make it hard to see. In these cases, blepharoplasty may be considered a necessary treatment.

Canthoplasty is most commonly performed in Asia, where wider Western-shaped eyes are considered by many to be more attractive. In these cases it is often performed along with double eyelid surgery, which creates a crease in the eyelid below the brow.

There are several techniques used in canthoplasty, depending on the desired outcome. The muscle and tendon that support the outside corner of the eye can be tightened or even repositioned, pulling the outer corner of the eye out and upwards. In some case the entire side of the eye is detached and moved. The epicanthal fold, a feature of the skin on the inner corner of the eye, can also be reshaped.

Typically, canthoplasty surgery is done under local anesthesia and takes about an hour per eye to complete. Patients may have small stitches afterwards, and the area around their eyes may be bruised and swollen for a few weeks. It takes several weeks for the eyes to settle into their permanent shape. If eyes are a source of frustration, canthoplasty is one tool that can help individuals feel and see better.

Rhinoplasty may also be done to correct a deviated septum or other breathing impairment. In that case, the nasal structure is adjusted so that airflow is increased to a comfortable level.

Typically, rhinoplasty is only performed on adults because kids' and teens' faces are still growing and changing. After a rhinoplasty, healing will take 1-2 weeks, but subtle shifts in the face and occasional swelling can last up to a year.