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Contact UsPtosis is the medical term used to describe droopy upper eyelids. When this condition occurs, the upper eyelid descends into an abnormally low position, creating a perpetually tired expression.
Ptosis is defined as a droopy upper eyelid. It’s a very common condition among Asian individuals, and can be present at birth or acquired later in life due to muscle laxity or certain medical conditions that affect the eyelids and eye muscles.
There are three muscles that are responsible for elevating the upper eyelid: The levator palpebrae superioris, the superior tarsal muscle and the frontalis muscle in the forehead. However, because the frontalis muscle plays a very minor role, the main structures involved are the levator and the superior tarsal. If the levator muscle stretches, loosens or has limited movement (as is common among Asian patients), the eyelids may droop. If the superior tarsal muscle is damaged in some way due to nerve injury or Bell’s Palsy, it can also cause ptosis.
Our New York ptosis surgery results in eyes that appear droopy, misshapen and asymmetrical, which can lead to low self-esteem and self-consciousness about your looks. However, fortunately for many of our clients, ptosis doesn’t have to be permanent. A specialized surgery with Dr. Kwak has the potential to fix the condition, creating a more open and balanced expression. In addition to the Asian ptosis procedure, Dr. Kwak offers a primary Asian eyelid surgery in New York that maintains the natural form, while beautifying the eye area.
The clearest sign of ptosis is a drooping upper eyelid. However, there are other symptoms that are also associated with this condition, including:
If you are someone you loved one has experienced any of these symptoms, schedule a consultation with NYC facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Edward S. Kwak
Although there are many causes of ptosis, the condition is almost always treated the same way – with a simple and straightforward surgery. Prior to your New York ptosis surgery, you will need to follow a set of guidelines to prevent complications. For example, you’ll be advised to avoid blood thinning medications like ibuprofen, and ensure that any chronic eye problems are properly managed in advance. During your initial consultation, Dr. Kwak will thoroughly review your medical history to identify any issues that could pose a problem during the procedure, ensuring that he takes the necessary steps to minimize your risks.
To perform the actual surgery, Dr. Kwak will make an incision in the upper eyelid. Through that opening, he will remove excess skin and fat, while tightening the levator and superior tarsal muscles that are contributing to the problem. Once the condition has been addressed and your eyelids have been successfully elevated, he will carefully close the incisions to ensure that any resulting scars are hidden from view.
Get StartedBecause everyone’s body heals at a different rate, all of our patients have unique recovery experiences. However, in general you can expect to experience some swelling and bruising around the eye and cheek area, in addition to temporary dry eye. To manage these effects, you will be advised to apply cold compresses and keep your eyes well lubricated in the weeks after surgery. About seven days after your procedure, you will have a follow-up appointment at Dr. Kwak’s office. During that meeting, he will remove any sutures that were placed and assess your progress to ensure that you’re healing properly.
In general, most of our patients need to stay home from work for about one week after ptosis surgery in New York. However, your timeline will depend on a number of factors, and as such Dr. Kwak will provide you with custom instructions during your post-operative appointments. In terms of results, you can expect them to continue to improve during the first year following your procedure, at which point your final new look will be apparent.
