Be realistic, set expectations before blepharoplasty
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KOLOA, Hawaii — Blepharoplasty is the third most common aesthetic surgery and the No. 1 procedure performed on the face, according to a presenter.
“A thorough preoperative evaluation [before blepharoplasty] is essential to identify patient goals and expectations,” Femida Kherani, MD, clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia, said at Hawaiian Eye 2020.
Kherani outlined several critical steps for the preoperative consultation:
- evaluate the entire face;
- do a full eye exam to check for preoperative issues such as motility or lid distraction;
- rule out any suspicious lesions;
- discuss the anatomy with the patient; and
- review risks.
It is important to be realistic about outcomes and set clear expectations about what can and cannot be done, she said.
“Up to one in five patients seeking cosmetic surgery may have a body dysmorphic disorder,” Kherani said. “Be mindful of being able to say, ‘No, I can’t help you achieve the expectations you are requesting.’”
For patients who are eligible for eyelid surgery, always customize the procedure and choose the best technique for the patient, whether it is transconjunctival or transcutaneous, “to bag the bags,” she said. – by Alaina Tedesco
Reference:
Kherani F. Bag the bags: Lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Presented at: Hawaiian Eye 2020; Jan. 18-24, 2020; Koloa, Hawaii.
Disclosure: Kherani reports she has relevant financial disclosures for Alcon, Allergan, Horizon, Mallinckrodt, Novartis and Shire.