Q & A
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers regarding Asian Blepharoplasty and Closed Rhinoplasty
Asian Blepharoplasty: What happens during the surgery?
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In most cases, this is a simple procedure that can be done as an office procedure with local numbing medication. Slight pinch during the injection of the numbing medication is the worst part of it all- after the injection, you will be pain-free.
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Before the actual surgery, I will sit with you and decide on the height of your upper eyelid fold that suits you the best. The goal is to give you a single, smooth crease that spans the entire length of your eye - starting from the very inner corner of your eye to the outer corner.
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During the surgery, I will remove excess skin, muscle and fat that is responsible for heavy appearing upper eyelid small eye aperture. The removal of the muscle will help minimize the “prolonged, swollen appearance” after the surgery. I will then place interrupted key sutures that will not only create, but also maintain the fold.
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When applicable, I can also perform medial epicanthoplasty - this will increase the length of your eye and help better define the inner corner of your eye.
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I will then close the incision with a very thin suture, which is often used to sew small blood vessels- this suture will leave no “railroad tracks” or dimpling. This running suture will then be removed in the clinic in 5-7 days.
Asian Blepharoplasty: What is post-op recovery like?
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After the surgery, you will receive a very detailed instruction on how to care for your surgical site and minimize swelling.
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Typically, post-operative pain is quite mild. You may take Tylenol for any discomfort as needed. We recommend sleeping supine (avoid sleeping on your sides) with an extra pillows to minimize swelling. Use cool packs for the first 5 days. Do not rub your eyes; it's normal to feel a little uncomfortable opening your eyes wide at this time.
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After 2-3 days, you will have your first post-operative visit. During this time, we will check your surgical sites and clean the area for you as well.
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After about 5 days, you may feel comfortable leaving the house with a pair of sunglasses.
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After your suture gets removed in about a week, most people will feel comfortable returning to work.
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After 14 days, you can start wearing light eye makeup and feel more confident in social settings. You can also start gently washing your face and getting everything wet.
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After 21 days, you may start getting back to your routine exercise (longer if you do any competitive lifting/ contact sports)
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We recommend avoiding any alcoholic drinks for 30 days after surgery.
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Absolutely no smoking (cigarettes, vape, weed) for 6 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery.
Closed Rhinoplasty: What Does The Surgery Entail?
Closed rhinoplasty can be performed either under local anesthetic only (no IV sedation or general anesthesia) or under general anesthesia. For a straightforward nasal augmentation with silicone implant, patients are often able to undergo surgery with local anesthetic only. Local anesthetic-only surgery has multiple benefits including: no risk of general anesthesia, ability for the patient to provide real-time feedback to Dr. Park intraoperatively, and reduced cost (no anesthesia or operating room fee).
However, if the surgery includes working on multiple areas (ex) need for a donor site/ autologous cartilage harvesting, osteotomy, extensive tip work, etc.), it will oftentimes have to be performed under general anesthesia. All incisions (scars) will be placed inside the nostril and they will not be visible.
Closed Rhinoplasty: What is post-op recovery like?
With straightforward augmentation rhinoplasty under local anesthetic, you are able to see the result during the surgery and make adjustments to ensure optimal results that you desire.
Depending on the extent of the surgery, Aquaplast nasal splint may be applied immediately after the surgery over your nose for protection. In some cases that require extensive septum work, Doyle splint (intra-nasal splint) may be placed. Typically, most augmentation rhinoplasty do not require any splint. You will have some pain, but most patients only experience mild pain that is well controlled with Tylenol.
You can start to shower and wash your hair without getting your face wet (you may need some assistance with your hair) the day after surgery.
You will be prescribed a 5-day course of oral antibiotics, which you should start taking from the night of surgery.
Starting the day after surgery, you will see some swelling and bruising, but be able to cleanse your face with wipes avoiding the nose.
To reduce swelling we recommend the patient to rest and sleep with a high pillow and lying straight (not sleeping on the side). Also recommend to use ice packs as instructed for the first 5 days.
Your stitches inside your nostrils will be removed in 7-10 days. If you have a nasal splint, this will be removed in 5-7 days.
Depending on the occupation, most people go back to work in 5-7 days and most people feel comfortable in a social setting after about 10 days.
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You may resume regular workout after 21 days, but no contact sports for 3 months.
We recommend avoiding any alcoholic beverages for 30 days after surgery. Absolutely no smoking (cigarettes, vape, weed) 6 weeks before and 4 weeks after surgery.