The lower and upper eyelids can become “puffy” as our eyelids age. Surgery removes extra skin and fat from the eyelids. Also, drooping lower or upper eyelids can be addressed with this procedure. With a hidden incision, the excess fat of lower eyelids may be removed by younger patients. Blepharoplasty can offer many cosmetic advantages, but it cannot eliminate dark rings or crows’ feet. In order to get a better rejuvenation this is sometimes combined with the brow lift. A facelift can be used in conjunction with Blepharoplasty – read here.

Consultation

Board Certified Plastics Surgeons typically spend from 45 to 1 hour collecting your medical records, discussing your concerns with him, observing and making recommendations. Aside from eyelids, brows position and the contour of your forehead will be assessed. Sometimes, the surgeon will recommend a browlift to possibly improve upper eyelids appearance. The procedure is done by the surgeon using endoscopes, limited incisions.

The Surgery

If you are considering eyelid surgery, it is best to only have the procedure performed by a medical facility which has been fully accredited. For the procedure, an intravenous combination with local and topical anesthetic is typically used. The procedure can be combined with other procedures such as a facelift and browlift. In this case, general anesthesia will be administered by board-certified anesthesiologists.

During the treatment, redundant skin as well as the underlying fat is identified and removed. With an incision under the lash line (or an internal one) for fat removal, lower eyelids can also be removed.

Post-operative anesthesia, oral analgesia as well as a cold gel mask are usually used to relieve pain. The sutures should be removed in the five to seven days following the surgery. A lot of swelling and bruising can occur after the surgery. This usually goes away within 10-14days. After a week of rest, make-up may be worn. For the next month, avoid any strenuous activities. If you have pain, avoid driving for at least a month.

Recovery

Patients are usually able to return home the next day after the procedure. But, an adult responsible should accompany them on their first night. When this procedure is performed at the time of either a facelifting or brow lifting, most patients stay one to two nights in an after-op facility. While it’s encouraged to do vigorous exercise the night prior to surgery, you shouldn’t avoid doing so for the next two weeks. Most swelling and bruising will disappear in 2 to 3 weeks, but many patients can see significant improvement even after 5 to 7 day. In two weeks most people feel they are more rested, and look better.