Big bright eyes accompanied by a radiant smile are considered idyllic and beautiful. Not only are pretty eyes aesthetically pleasing, but when they look alert and wide-open, they allow you to better display your emotions, enable you to make eye contact, and help you form great personal relationships.
Many men and women are unhappy with the appearance of their eyelids which may be puffy, droop, or sag, but perhaps no population has as unique a concern as Asian-Americans. With about half of Asian-Americans missing a fold on their eyelids, blepharoplasty has become a popular procedure, and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Vu of California Aesthetic Center in Orange County and Huntington Beach is well-known for his ability to open up eyes that show the smile that’s inside your heart.
What is Asian blepharoplasty?
Also known as double eyelid surgery, Asian blepharoplasty aims at placing a pretarsal crease in the eyes of Asian-Americans. About half of the people with Pacific Asia heritage are born without pretarsal creases on their eyes. This elective procedure is an extremely popular and highly requested surgery, especially amongst Asian-American women, who desire a brighter-eyed look. In addition to providing an alert and expressive appearance that matches your emotions, this surgery is also popular because it helps Orange County and Huntington Beach women properly apply eye makeup and allows for single or stable creases. Additionally, the procedure also helps to reduce or eliminate tired-looking eyes that might be the result of a fat upper lid.
Before & After Photos
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Am I a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery
Some people might think that blepharoplasty is designed to achieve Westernized-shaped eyes or to look more like Caucasians. This is not Dr. Vu’s goal. At California Aesthetic Center, Dr. Vu believes in providing his Huntington Beach patients with outcomes that accentuate their natural beauty and features. He has great appreciation and respect for the natural beauty that Pacific Asians have and merely wants to help his patients to achieve the double eyelid fold that half of their peers have.
There are several factors that Dr. Vu considers during his consultations with potential patients including:
- Age
- Gender
- Whether or not they’ve seen him previously for non-incision or incision blepharoplasty
With all blepharoplasty procedures, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. For example, a patient might want an eyelid crease that is more defined. However, a 30-year-old Asian-American man typically has a different desired outcome than a 60-year-old Asian-American woman. Every patient and procedure is unique. When you consult with Dr. Vu in Orange County or Huntington Beach, he will work with you to formulate a personalized plan that to achieve your goals and meet your expectations.
To determine if you’re an eligible candidate for the procedure, there are several criteria that Dr. Vu required his patients to meet. In general, Dr. Vu is looking for candidates who:
- Are in good general health
- Are non-smokers
- Have realistic expectations for their surgery
- Are in good psychological health
Those who suffer from medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are required to have them under control before they are considered to be healthy enough for surgery because medical issues such as these can pose risks and interfere with the healing process. Residents are also told to refrain from taking certain types of medications, especially blood thinners for a few weeks before their surgery date in Orange County or Huntington Beach. If temporarily stopping your medications isn’t prudent, it’s probable that you aren’t currently an ideal candidate for this elective procedure.
Asian Eyelid Types
Asian eyes differ from people who live in the West or who have occidental eyelids. However, it is important to note that not all Asians have the same type of eyelid creases. Some may have different creases in each eye. Here are some of the most common types of eyelids:
Absent Eyelid Crease
As the name implies, this refers to eyes that have no distinct eyelid creases that separate the lids. An absent eyelid crease is also known as a monolid.
Multiple Eyelid Creases
Multiple creases may form after the surgery if the new crease does not coincide with existing ones. The surgery can also be performed to join multiple eyelid creases into a single one.
Partial Eyelid Crease
This denotes an eyelid crease that is not as well defined as the patient wants. In other words, it does not extend all the way across the eyelids. Partial creases may become more prominent as the person ages, but some candidates tend to opt for the surgery to eliminate the defect.
Parallel Eyelid Crease
This happens when the inner corner of the eyelid crease does not narrow as much as the tapering crease.
Tapering Crease and Tapering Crease with Lateral Flare
This type of crease tapers or becomes narrower towards the inner corner of the eyes. A tapering eyelid crease with a lateral flare is when the outer area of the eyelid platform is wider than the one at the central position.
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How is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
After you’ve been cleared for surgery and Dr. Vu has classified your current eye type, he’ll begin working on your personalized treatment plan. Things that factor into your surgical plan include:
- The quality and thickness of the skin
- The fat volume under the skin
- The anatomy around the eyes
- Healing history from any past procedures
Asian blepharoplasty is customized according to the factors mentioned above as they will have an effect on the final shape of the crease. A non-incisional or incisional procedure may be performed depending on the amount of fat or extra skin that is present under the upper eyelid.
Non-Incisional Approach
During this particular procedure, Dr. Vu makes small openings in the skin instead of making an incision to remove the skin from the upper eyelid. A stitch is used to attach the skin of the upper eyelid to the underlying levator muscle. This muscle lifts the eyelid. The skin of the eyelid will fold in when the eyes are opened after this procedure.
The surgery is performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation. Some Huntington Beach patients may be required to open their eyelids mid-surgery. This helps Dr. Vu see how the crease is forming and allows him to make adjustments accordingly.
Incisional Approach
For some patients, Dr. Vu may decide to go for the incisional approach to create the fold if there is extra fat and skin on the upper eyelid. During this procedure, the incision in question is made on the upper eyelid, and a small amount of fat is typically removed. This is done to define the crease and prevent the area from hollowing out.
The surgery usually takes about an hour. However, Huntington Beach patients may be required to stay two more hours to account for postoperative recovery and preparation. The procedure may take even longer if it is accompanied by other facial surgeries.
As compared to major plastic surgery procedures such as a facelift, the recovery period for this surgery is relatively short. Patients can often start reading or watching television for 2 to 3 days. However, Dr. Vu recommends limitations on such activities since they can stress the eyes. As such, his patients might even be told to take time off from work or refrain from other activities until the bruising or swelling goes down and you don’t need to wear sunglasses.
Your Experience On Surgery Day
On the day of your procedure, you’ll arrive at the surgical facility without any makeup or lotions on your face, having fasted at least 12 hours. Fasting is vital because if you do eat or drink anything before receiving anesthesia, it can result in complications. Just before the surgery, the preoperative team will take you to a surgical prep room where your vital signs will be monitored, and you’ll be prepared for surgery.
From there, you’ll be taken to the operating room for your procedure. Your pre-selected anesthesia will be administered by a skilled anesthesiologist, and once you’re numb, Dr. Vu will begin working to transform your eyelids. After the surgery is complete, you’ll be taken to a recovery room where a team of nurses and assistants will monitor you to be sure that you’re safely recovering from the anesthesia. Finally, you’ll be given your post-operative instructions and released into the care of a driver who can take you home.
Express Yourself with Asian Blepharoplasty in Orange County and Huntington Beach
If you are considering blepharoplasty as a minimally invasive way to express yourself in a natural-looking way, then this elective plastic surgery is for you. The first step is to schedule an initial consultation.
To make an appointment, call Huntington Beach’s California Aesthetic Center at (714) 848-1133.