Drooping eyelids and baggy skin under the eyes create an aged and tired appearance. Not only is this problem unsightly, it may also interfere with your vision. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper or lower eyelids (or both) and tightens the underlying muscles, to improve a person’s facial appearance for a more youthful and vibrant look. Both men and women can benefit from this treatment, which can make a person look years younger than their actual age.
The skin in the eye area is the most delicate skin on the body, and therefore finding a skilled plastic surgeon to perform your eyelid surgery is necessary if you want to achieve results that are noticeable and yet natural-looking.
What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery might be right for you if you:
- Have sagging eyelids that make you look old and tired
- Have vision problems due to drooping upper eyelids
- Have unattractive bags under your eyes, no matter how much rest you get
- Have “hooded” eyes, as a result of falling upper lids
- Have hollow-looking eyes caused by fat loss in the area caused by aging
The Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Procedure
Eyelid surgery is customized, based on the needs of the patient, and can include work on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids or both. The procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure lasting one to two hours. The following are details of what this surgery may include.
Upper Lids (Upper Blepharoplasty)
To fix falling upper eyelids, the surgeon will make a small incision that follows the natural crease of the upper eyelid. From this point, excess skin, muscle and fat is excised, or removed. In some cases, the surgeon will reposition instead of remove the fat from this area, to preserve fullness and prevent a hollowed out look. The eyelid muscle may also be tightened in this procedure. Dissolvable sutures are typically used to close incisions.
Lower Lids (Lower Blepharoplasty)
To correct bags under your eyes, a lower blepharoplasty will remove or reposition the fat in this area. The surgeon will make a small incision in the lower lash line and access the fat from this site in order to remove excess fat or reposition it to a smoother, more attractive position. The surgeon will often use dissolvable sutures to close incisions.
Double Eyelid Surgery
Double eyelid surgery, also called Asian blepharoplasty, is used to create a crease on the upper eyelid — a feature that is not common for people of Asian descent. The purpose of this procedure is to accentuate the eyes, giving them a wider, more open look. Double eyelid surgery can be performed with a full incision, a partial incision or no incision on the upper eyelid. The partial and full incision approach involves an incision on the upper eyelid through which a small amount of extra skin and fat is removed. For the surgical approach that involves no incisions, the surgeon will use permanent sutures on the upper lid in order to create a natural-looking crease.
What Recovery Looks Like
After surgery, patients can expect to experience some redness, bruising and puffiness in the eye area. They will likely also have temporarily blurry or distorted vision, tearing and sensitivity to light. These symptoms typically last no longer than a few days, though swelling can take several days to dissipate. To alleviate swelling, a cold compress can be gently applied to the eye area. Pain relievers may be used to manage discomfort, but only under the direction of a doctor. Patients can return to work within a week to 10 days after surgery, and can exercise after two weeks.
What to Look for in a Plastic Surgeon
Included in the Leading Medical Clinics directory are a number of top-rated plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons and oculoplastic surgeons — all of whom are fully equipped to handle the intricacies of eyelid surgery with surgical precision and artistic detail. These surgeons are not only experienced, but also renowned for having achieved the most natural-looking results in an environment known for the safest surgical practices. All of these distinguished surgeons:
- Are board-certified
- Are well-respected by peers
- Are positively reviewed by patients
- Are ranked as a top medical practitioner in their field
- Are in good standing with their medical board(s)
- Operating from a clinic that upholds the highest level of healthcare standards
Questions to Ask During Your Consult (click to view)
- Would I be a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
- Which surgery methods would you recommend in my case?
- How many blepharoplasty procedures have you performed?
- Can both eyes be treated at the same time?
- Is eyelid surgery painful?
- Will I have noticeable scars from surgery?
- When will I see my results?
- Will my results be permanent?
- What are the risks and/or side effects associated with eyelid surgery?
- How common are the risks/side effects?
- How much time will I have to take off of work for recovery?
- What types of limitations (driving, exercising, etc.) will I have after surgery?
- Can you provide me with any more information (whether print or digital) to help me better understand the procedure?
- Do you offer evening or weekend appointments?
- How much does eyelid surgery cost?
- What financing options are available to me as your patient?
- Will my insurance cover my surgery?
Click the icon to print out this list and bring it with you to your consultation.
Find the most highly respected plastic surgeons in your area to perform your eyelid surgery.
