Blepharoplasty is One of the Most Common Procedures For Both Men and Women
Eyelid surgery, one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for both males and females, can have a very dramatic effect in restoring a more youthful, rested appearance. When loose folds, sagging skin and bagginess are reduced, the eyes appear more naturally alert and brighter. It can be performed on either the upper or lower lids or both. Often, it is performed in conjunction with a face or forehead lift. Since the procedure cannot eliminate crows feet at the corners of the eye or wrinkles beneath the eye, laser skin resurfacing may also be done.
The initial planning with your plastic surgeon is very important. The plastic surgeon will need your complete medical history. Be sure to inform your surgeon of any previous diseases and allergies. The most important thing is to inform the doctor if you’re a smoker or not.
Blepharoplasty is usually performed in an outpatient surgical facility under local anesthesia and mild sedation. General anesthesia may also be used. The procedure takes from 2-3 hours depending upon the extent of the condition and whether work is being done on both the upper and lower lids.
Blepharoplasty may take one to three hours. For this procedure, the plastic surgeon makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids; in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in your lower lids. The incisions can extend into the crow’s feet or laugh lines at the outer corners of your eyes.
If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but don’t need to have any skin removed, your plastic surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure the incision is made inside your lower eyelids, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.
For the upper lids, an incision is made along the natural fold of the eyelid, extending from corner to corner, and excess fat and skin is removed. For the lower lids, the incision may be made right below the lower lash line and excess skin, fat and muscle removed. The underlying muscles may also be tightened.
Although there will be some swelling and bruising which will fully diminish in a couple of weeks, many of our patients return to work within days of the surgery. The stitches will be removed (or dissolved) during the first week). Scarring will be virtually invisible since the incisions are made in the natural lines and skin folds.