Eyelid Surgery – Blepharoplasty

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) is a plastic surgery procedure to correct drooping eyelids and puffy bags by removing excess skin and fat from upper and lower eyelids.

Your eyes can can give you the appearance of being older and more tired than you actually are. The sensitive tissue surrounding the eye area is thinner than other areas of your face and is often the first place that will show signs of aging. As you get older, the muscles surrounding the eyelids weaken, causing the skin to sag. Also, fat accumulates around the eyes, which can often create the appearance of what is commonly termed, bags. Additional factors such as heredity, sun damage, smoking, and stress can further contribute to the general degradation of the skin around the eyes.

Eyelid surgery can remove excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. People of all ages can benefit from this cosmetic surgery procedure. While eyelid surgery can correct tired eyes and puffiness that often are the first signs, it can’t eliminate crow’s feet, or lift sagging eyebrows.

Before surgery, your surgeon marks the natural skin lines and creases of your upper and lower eyelids. These marks will be used for the incisions. Once the incisions are made, your surgeon separates the skin from the underlying muscle and fatty tissue. The sagging skin and muscle are trimmed and the excess fat is removed. The incisions are then closed with very tiny sutures, which are removed in four or five days. Your scars will be pink at first and will gradually fade to a nearly invisible line. Surgery lasts approximately two hours and can be performed under general anesthesia.

After surgery you may experience some soreness and discomfort. This can be controlled with medication prescribed by your surgeon. You should rest with your head elevated for a couple of days. Cold compresses help to reduce swelling and bruising. Bruising will peak during the first week and will gradually subside over the next two to four weeks. Makeup can be applied after ten days to hide any discoloration that may temporarily result.