The eyes are often the first thing you notice about a person, so it can feel discouraging when it seems like yours appear small, hooded, or wrinkled. This can often create the false appearance of being tired or angry, even if you don’t feel like it. Eyelid surgery can open up the eyes and remove sagging, fatty deposits that contribute to the aging process and are often one of the first signs. We understand that everyone deserves to make a great first impression, so allow us to help you craft yours.
Eyelid surgery is often called blepharoplasty and aims to reshape and refresh the eyes and surrounding contours through surgical incisions. This procedure can focus on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both for effective facial rejuvenation that smooths wrinkles, reduces excess skin, and creates a younger eye profile. Although non-surgical options can be effective at refreshing the eyes, many patients find that they need surgical solutions because of extensive signs of aging or genetics.
Patients that benefit most from eyelid surgery are those that are showing extensive signs of aging in the eyes or who have hooded eyes. Eyelid surgery patients commonly express that they feel their makeup becomes lost in their eyelids or flakes off easily because of sagging and wrinkles. This procedure is unique in that it can offer medical benefits as well since some patients with severe drooping can have their vision impaired because of the upper eyelids or experience dry eyes because the lower eyelids droop away from the eye. Some patients may benefit more from a brow lift if a sagging brow is causing hooded or drooping upper eyelids. As with any plastic surgery procedure, you should be in good health and able to successfully undergo and recover from surgery, so be sure to discuss any health conditions you may have during your consultation. Often, eyelid surgery can be performed at the same time as a facelift, brow lift, or neck lift procedure.
There are two types of eyelid surgery that can often be performed together in one surgical session. Each requires a different approach for effective rejuvenation.
This technique focuses on the upper eyelid and correcting drooping, hooded eyes caused by excess skin. These results are usually achieved by creating an incision within the natural crease of the eyelid and trimming away any excess, hooded skin. Any sagging fat can also be removed or repositioned for an improved contour.
Lower eyelid surgery uses an incision either within the lower lash line or inside the lower eyelid in order to gain access to the underlying tissues. This procedure focuses on correcting bags of fat or skin below the eyes, as well as smoothing wrinkles. In some cases, tear troughs can be filled in by repositioning fat below the eyes, although this might occur in tandem with filler injections.
Your eyelid surgery can be performed at our private, accredited surgical facility. Often, eyelid surgery can be performed using local anesthesia or sedation, which is only administered after you’re comfortable and ready. Then, predetermined incisions are created according to your surgical plan. These incisions allow fat to be repositioned and excess skin to be trimmed away and tightened. Once new contours are created, the incisions are closed with sutures and bandaged. Overall, this process can take one or more hours, depending on your procedure.
Although eyelid surgery may not require as much downtime as other facial plastic surgery procedures, it can be more uncomfortable for some patients. This is because you will be unable to rub, itch, or touch your eyes or the surrounding area for the duration of your downtime. It’s important to use recommended eyedrops in order to ease any discomfort or dryness, as well as taking prescribed medications to ease pain. Many patients benefit from using a cool compress on the eyes as often as needed. If you wear contact lenses normally, you will be unable to wear them during your recovery period. Your eyes may feel tight or stretched, but this is normal. We commonly recommend you wear large, dark sunglasses during your recovery to help ease light sensitivity. Many patients feel comfortable returning to work or school after two weeks of downtime. Although eyelid surgery can reverse signs of aging, it can’t prevent them from developing further in the future. We can recommend non-surgical options to help extend your great results after recovery.
The eyes are often the focus when it comes to communication, so eyelid surgery can help ensure yours leave a lasting impression. To begin planning your eyelid surgery procedure, schedule a consultation with our expert plastic surgeons who can recommend your best options. To schedule a consultation, contact our St. Joseph office by calling or filling out our online form.
