Eyelid Surgery – Blepharoplasty
An eyelid lift (eye surgery), otherwise known as blepharoplasty, focuses on the eyes. The tissue, muscle, fat, hair and lashes all contribute to the wide array of expressions. Age, sun exposure and hereditary factors all contribute to wrinkles, deep lines and puffiness around the eyes.
The aging process can cause unwanted changes in expression, causing us to look permanently fatigued and older than we really are. These changes in appearance can cause emotional distress and sometimes even visual impairment. My female patients often complain that they have trouble applying eyeshadow and their eyeliner constantly imprints itself higher up on the lid. All of my patients with excessive upper eyelid skin feel tired – that they have to strain or lift their eyebrows to see or read. The puffiness to the lower lids makes patients look sad or sleepy. An eyelid lift is designed to restore a more youthful appearance to your eyes and relieve some of these common complaints. It may involve the upper lids, the lower lids, or both.
blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty procedure
Upper eyelid: An incision is made in the crease of the upper lid toward the temples. Once healed, it is not noticeable when the eye is open. Excessive skin and fat is removed through this incision improving the “tired” look.
Lower lid: If extra skin of the lower eyelid needs to be removed, the incision is made along the lash line toward the temples, and is hidden by lashes when healed. Excessive skin and fat is removed to get rid of the bags under the eyes.
Lower eyelid transconjunctival Approach: If the lower eyelid skin doesn’t need to be excised, an incision can be made inside the lower lid. Fat can be removed through this incision, resulting in removal of the under eye bags.
Laser resurfacing of the eyelids is a non-surgical alternative that may delay the need for a surgical blepharoplasty. It results in significant tightening of the skin around the eyes, but will not effect the fat around the eyes and may even accentuate it.
When you come into the office during your consultation. We will analyze the upper and lower eyelids as well as perform an eye exam. The specific procedure and technique will be tailored to your individual anatomy.
Eyelid surgery – what to expect.
This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at our surgical center. It is important to arrange for care after the surgery. Someone must drive you home and be available to care for you for the first 24 hours.
Complications are unlikely when performed by a surgeon with experience in blepharoplasty. These include: bleeding and swelling, delayed wound healing, infection, drooping of eye upper or lower eyelid, asymmetry, double vision and dry eyes. We will spend time discussing the possible complications and all your questions and concerns will be addressed prior to surgery.
Blepharoplasty Recovery: What to Expect
The area surrounding the eyes will remain swollen in the days following the surgery. It should begin to subside after the first day. Some vision blurring is normal.
The stitches will be removed in 4-5 days. Swelling and bruising will persist for about 10 days, but you can begin wearing makeup to help conceal these concerns. You may expect to resume normal activity within a week to 10 days, and start enjoying your new look within approximately 10-14 days. It may take about 6 months for the scars to lose their redness.
Wrinkling will recur later in life, however it is unlikely that the “bags” will recur because the fat has been removed. Deeper wrinkles around the outer eye extended onto the temple are not greatly affected by the eyelid lift. These areas may be treated with laser resurfacing.