Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)
Sagging upper eyelid skin and bags under the eyes are the most common reasons for eyelid rejuvenation surgery, or blepharoplasty. It can be performed on the upper lids or lower lids alone, but most often both upper and lower lids are performed together. It must be remembered that the purpose of this procedure is to freshen and rejuvenate the appearance of the eyelids, not change their shape. If heaviness in the upper lids is being caused by sagging of the eyebrows, then additional or alternative surgery such as brow lift may need to be considered. All options will be discussed with Dr. Platis once a thorough examination has been performed.
Ideal Candidates for Eyelid Surgery
There are many different types of patients who are helped by blepharoplasty surgery. Hooding or heaviness of the skin of the upper eyelids can be reduced or lifted. This is often found to be of increasing significance as people age. Also bags under the eyes can grow more pronounced with age. Sometimes excess puffiness has little to do with aging at all and can be an inherited problem for even young adults. Prominent crow’s feet are caused by over active muscles and are better treated with Botox rather than surgery.
How It’s Done
Blepharoplasty is usually performed under sedation and the specifics of the operation is varied and individualized, just as our eyes are. The upper eyelid lift usually involves removing excess skin and possibly some fat through an incision that is hidden in the crease of the lid. The lower lid lift can be performed through an incision just below the lashes, or in the case of fat removal the only incision is on the inside of the lid so that it is hidden entirely. When completed your eyes will have a fresher, more rested look without changing their natural shape.
Recovery from Eyelid Surgery
You return home on the day of your surgery. Patients are advised to apply cool packs and keep their head elevated for the first couple of days to minimize swelling. Most patients do not require anything more than Tylenol if there is any post-operative discomfort. Sutures, if there are any, are removed within the first week. Swelling settles quickly and improvement is often visible immediately, but final results won’t be seen for several weeks.
