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EYELID SURGERY
Blepharoplasty

More than any other facial feature, the eyes have a tremendous impact on your appearance. The eyes are often the first place to show signs of aging. Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery, can enhance your appearance and your self confidence by eliminating droopy or sagging eyelids. Many people complain that they always look tired. As people age the eyelid stretches, muscles weaken, and fat accumulates around the eyes, causing "bags", or excess skin to become prominent. During your consultation with the doctor, he will assess which of the four eyelids (top and bottom for both eyes) require the procedure. Because eyelid surgery may help to correct interference with vision, it is possible that it is considered a medical procedure, and may be covered by insurance. The drawings featured depict the traditional blepharoplasty procedure.



The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Generally patients for this procedure are 35 years or older. However, if sagging eyelids run in your family, it may be advisable to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.

The procedure involves the removal of excess skin and redundant fat if it is present. The upper eyelid crease is recreated as it was prior to the development of the excess skin. The lower eyelids may be treated by making an incision below the eyelashes resulting in an external scar or from the inside of the lower eyelid called a transconjunctival approach. This allows for removal of excess fat without an external incision. If utilizing the transconjunctival approach, the skin is tightened by laser resurfacing. Any and all scars will usually fade and become barely noticeable over 1 to 2 months.

The procedure is done as an outpatient typically with twilight anesthesia. The procedure takes 1-2 hours depending on what is being done. The patient can expect swelling and bruising post-operatively. In our practice the laser is used for the procedure and this helps to reduce the overall amount of bruising and swelling significantly. Despite this some patients will bruise or swell more than others. You will be amazed at how a little improvement in your eyes can have such a dramatic impact on your appearance. This procedure does not remove crow's feet or eliminate dark circles under your eyes.

The potential complications of the procedure are discussed in detail with the patient prior to surgery.