Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
One of the earliest signs of aging is often change in and around the eyelids. Eyelid surgery is one of the top three most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedures. It is one of the earliest procedures
for patients to have done for enhancement of the face to produce a more youthful appearance. The aging changes that occur in the eyelid can involve redundancy of the skin most prominently in the upper eyelids
and puffiness or fullness of both the upper and lower eyelids. The fullness is caused by natural occurring fat within compartments of the eyelids, which bulge forward as the walls of the compartments weaken and
stretch overtime. Other changes that occur can cause the elastic quality of the eyelids to weaken and the eyelid to sag. All of these aging changes can be improved with eyelid surgery to produce more youthful,
open eyed and refreshed appearance.
Eyelid surgery is done as an outpatient procedure and can be performed under IV sedation and local anesthetic or general anesthesia (asleep). Surgery can take from one to two and a half hours depending on whether both the upper or upper and lower eyelids are treated and if a more extensive procedure is required to properly correct the lower eyelids.
Recovering From Your Blepharoplasty
There is swelling and bruising of the eyelids after the surgery, which can take one to two weeks to clear. Like all scars, the fading process is gradual and continues to improve over the course of 12 months
after the procedure. The eyelids are one of the best areas of the body to hide scars and the scars often go unnoticed after two weeks, especially if camouflaging makeup is used. There is typically mild to minimal
discomfort associated with blepharoplasty. Stitches are usually removed in 6 to 7 days after surgery unless the dissolving type are used. Head elevation at bedtime is used the first week to help control swelling.
Ice packs are used the first 48 hours.
Combining Eyelid Surgery With Other Procedures
After blepharoplasty, most people can return to work within three to four days, but some may prefer to return to work later for cosmetic appearance reasons. Blepharoplasty is frequently done in combination with other facial procedures to further enhance appearance. This includes eyebrow lift and resurfacing of the skin around the eye to treat fine lines, wrinkles, and crow's feet.
Injectable fillers such as Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm or Sculptra and non-ablative laser treatments can be used in the office as adjunctive procedures to augment the creation of a more youthful appearing face.
