 
Eyelid Rejuvenation Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Eyelid Rejuvenation What is laser eyelid rejuvenation?
Dr. Stout specializes in laser eyelid surgery, that is, blepharoplasty performed through an incision made by a laser beam as opposed to a traditional scalpel. This technique has several advantages; first, the laser automatically seals the blood vessels, so the patient experiences less bleeding and the surgeon can more easily monitor the progress of the surgery. In addition, this precise method of forming the incision creates less trauma to the eye area, paving the way for less bruising, scarring, and discoloration following the surgery, as well as a quicker recovery.
On the day of your procedure, expect to spend approximately two hours at our discreet ambulatory surgery center in Pasadena. Accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc., Dr. Stout’s private surgery center is comfortable and less expensive than a hospital. You will be given sedation and your eyelids will be anesthetized, ensuring that you are at ease throughout the entire procedure.
When performing laser eyelid surgery, Dr. Stout does not use general anesthesia. Rather, he uses LMAC (Local Monitored Anesthetic Care), local anesthesia with an intravenous sedation, placing patients in a twilight sleep. In other words, patients are given just enough anesthesia to be comfortable and have a pleasant experience, but are not overly sedated. Dr. Stout is very concerned with the comfort of his patients during surgery. His on-site surgery center in Pasadena makes eyelid surgery simple, safe, and stress-free. During all blepharoplasty procedures, an anesthesiologist certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology administers sedation and monitors the patient carefully.
During their consultation, patients often mention their fear of pain during eyelid surgery. While understandable, this fear is truly unnecessary. The anesthesia administered at our Pasadena surgical center is safe, reliable, and provides each patient with a comfortable eyelid surgery procedure. Additionally, many patients fear experiencing pain after the eyelid surgery is complete. Though often to the patient’s surprise, there is little to no pain after the procedure. Dr. Stout’s precision use of the laser causes there to be minimal discomfort, as well as less bruising and a shorter recover time. Most people do not even take Tylenol after their laser eyelid procedure.
Laser eyelid surgery causes significantly less bruising than older procedures; patients often come through the procedure with no bruising at all. If bruising and swelling do occur after eyelid surgery, they both resolve quickly. Swelling should begin to go down the day after surgery, and is usually 50% resolved within a week. The majority of bruising will usually be resolved a week after surgery. The recovery following laser blepharoplasty typically involves little or no pain. In many cases, patients do not even need to take Tylenol as they recover from the procedure. While it's recommended that patients take one week off from work, many patients return to work a few days after undergoing the procedure. Following eyelid surgery, most patients will be able to resume all their normal activities within a few weeks. In one week after surgery, the majority of patients can resume walking and other light activity; in two weeks, most patients may return to heavy aerobics and other vigorous exercise.
Some patients are concerned that they will come out of eyelid surgery with a startled or "deer-in-the-headlights" look. While aware of these concerns, Dr. Stout thinks of himself as a sculptor whose goal is to rejuvenate someone's face so that the results look naturally enhanced. Many patients even report that the first compliments they receive after their eyelid surgery are directed toward their hair, weight, or increased level of energy. Their family, friends, and colleagues often cannot pinpoint that eyelid surgery has been done — instead, they simply notice a remarkable improvement in appearance.
Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for both men and women. At Dr. Stout’s Pasadena practice, about a third of his eyelid surgery patients are men. More and more male patients are becoming interested in eyelid rejuvenation as they realize how a tired, worn-down look can affect their social, professional, and personal lives. When performed on a man, eyelid surgery has its own set of considerations. Most importantly, Dr. Stout takes care to restore the youthful look of the eyelids without giving them an unnatural, feminized look. Dr. Stout commonly treats male patients and has extensive experience in male eyelid surgery: its challenges, its technique, and its goals. Dr. Stout appreciates the importance of achieving an understated, natural look that blends with the features of the face, especially for male patients. His work reflects his belief that results should not be obvious; rather, they should eliminate a tired expression. Laser Eyelid Rejuvenation
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© 2008 WARREN C. STOUT, M.D