Getting Even: Better blepharoplasty outcomes depend on appreciation of asymmetry

This piece is taken from the Cosmetic Surgery Times magazine, by Cheryl Guttman Krader, Senior Staff Correspondent. The article discusses blepharoplasty in relation to asymmetry. Blepharoplasty is the surgery of the eyelid, which can make one look more awake, young and fresh. If you are interested in eye surgery, Sleek Surgical & MedSpa can help you to achieve the look you desire. Schedule a FREE consultation with one of our surgical centers in Manhattan, New York, Fort Lauderdale or Boston and find out how eyelid surgery can work for you.

The ability to recognize pre existing asymmetry and address it with an asymmetric approach to surgery is important for achieving satisfaction in patients presenting for cosmetic upper eyelid blepharoplasty, says Robert A. Goldberg, M.D.

Speaking at the 2012 meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Goldberg discussed detection and management of subtle asymmetry in upper blepharoplasty.

“Most people are not aware of differences between one side of their face and the other, even though facial asymmetry is ubiquitous. However, patients are likely to spot unevenness after cosmetic surgery, particularly as they concentrate on their appearance in a magnifying mirror and partly because a procedure that removes skin, fat and soft tissue can unveil pre-existing deep asymmetry,” says Dr. Goldberg, chief, orbital and ophthalmic plastic surgery, Jules Stein Eye Institute, and Karen and Frank and Frank Dabby Professor of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.

In my referral practice, I commonly see patients who are very unhappy because of asymmetry after upper blepharoplasty and who are convinced is the fault of the surgeon,” Dr. Goldberg says. “This information underscores that it is incumbent on surgeons venturing into procedures addressing the aesthetics of the periorbital area to be able to understand the nuances of asymmetry existing around the eyes and to discuss the preoperative findings so that the patient understands the situation. Then, unless the patient chooses against it, surgeons must be prepared to surgically treat the asymmetry, which usually requires operating more on one side than the other.”