KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasBefore, During, and After An Eyelift Operation

Before, During, and After An Eyelift Operation

(Aug. 5) -- There are various personal reasons why someone would choose to have elective cosmetic surgery. Some procedures yield dramatic results, while other changes are subtle. A local woman allowed us to capture her own experience on tape -- before, during, and after her own eyelift operation.

Karyn Shaunnessy enjoys the public aspect of her career in real estate and she likes to look her best. But as with other generations of women in her family, she developed droopy skin under her eyes, a condition that often leads to vision problems. Eventually, a decision was made to do something about it.

Shaunnessy says, "I have an very energetic life. I'm out there in personal perception. I don't want to look as if I'm tired when I'm not. And that just comes with genetics. So I'm looking to have an improved feature and outlook where my eyes will reflect the energy level that I do have."

Las Vegas plastic surgeon Goesel Anson will perform the eye lid surgery, known as blepharoplasty . Her patient, meanwhile, tries to stay focused on the outcome, and not on the procedure itself.

Shaunnessy says, "I have a tendency to take a lot of leaps of faith. And if I believe in something, I say, OK, this is what I want. So let's see what we can do to make it happen."

More and more people are taking smaller steps at an earlier age, while their skin is still elastic. This may contribute to better long-term results.

Dr. Anson says, "So people are in the 30s are doing collagen, botox. As time goes on, they may do chemical peels, they may advance to doing something like a mini facelift in their 40s."

Like Karyn's procedure, a mini facelift is usually done on an outpatient basis and might be offered to someone who isn't ready for the whole nine yards.

While Karyn's blepharoplasty is much less than a full face lift, it is still major surgery and it involves risks. The operation will take about an hour-and-a-half and recovery will take about three weeks.

In order to correct the drooping and puffy bags under Karyn's eyes, Dr. Anson removes excess fat and skin. The eyelid muscles are tightened and the incisions are closed. An eye-lift can last for many years, restoring a more alert and youthful appearance.

It will not, however, remove wrinkles, lift sagging eyebrows or eliminate dark circles.

We met with Karyn 5 weeks after her surgery and found that she was pleased with the results.

Shaunnessy says, "People say you look the same but before you looked more tired. But i have same amount of energy. It was just a reflection of what it looked liked. And now it's that ten years difference where I feel like I'm in place now."

Plastic Surgery