The eyes are one of the first facial features people notice. Naturally, signs of aging around the eyes can be quite noticeable. Your boss or coworkers may think you look tired or overworked when, in reality, you may feel just fine! Eyelid tissues are delicate and thin, so the eyes begin to show signs of aging sooner than other parts of the body. Sometimes, sagging upper lids obstruct the field of vision, which can lead to stressed facial muscles and headaches.
If drooping eyelids and puffy bags under the eyes are causing you to look older and more fatigued than you truly are, you may want to consider blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty is designed to remove excess fat and skin from the upper and lower eyelids for a revitalized look. Blepharoplasty renews the eyes for a more attractive, youthful, and functional gaze.
Schedule Your Consultation TodayWhat Is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty or an eyelid lift, is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the eyes by addressing aging signs and other concerns. Blepharoplasty can address sagging skin, excess fat, upper eyelid drooping, and undereye bags. Many people choose blepharoplasty to achieve a younger and more refreshed appearance that they can feel confident about.
Am I a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
You may be the right candidate for blepharoplasty if you have:
- Loose, sagging skin that creates folds around the eyes
- Bags under the eyes
- Fine lines and wrinkles beneath the lower eyelid
- Fatty deposits beneath the lower eyelid
- Drooping eyelids that impair vision
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Thomas S. Taylor to learn if eyelid surgery can help you achieve your goals.
What Are the Benefits of Blepharoplasty?
Some of the benefits you may experience after eyelid surgery include:
Youthful Eyes
Puffiness under the eyes and hooded upper eyelids can make you appear tired and aged. Blepharoplasty eliminates these aesthetic imperfections, resulting in youthful, vivacious eyes. Once the matured and weary appearance of the eyes is corrected, the entire face will seem brighter and more alert. Dr. Taylor will evaluate the condition of your eyes and establish a customized treatment plan based on your goals during your consultation.
Improved Field of Vision
When the upper eyelid droops significantly, it can interfere with your eyesight and disrupt the natural contours of your eyelids. This type of eyelid sagging is called ptosis. Some patients who suffer from severe eyelid ptosis must tilt their heads back or raise their eyebrows constantly to widen their field of vision. Straining the face and body in an attempt to keep obstructive eyelids out of the way can cause discomfort. During your consultation, Dr. Taylor can assess the severity of your eyelid ptosis and discuss your blepharoplasty options.
Restored Confidence
Aging is a natural part of human life, and the eyes often develop signs of aging fairly early. Those who are plagued by aged, tired-looking eyes may feel self-conscious about their appearance. Blepharoplasty revitalizes the eyes, and many patients who have undergone the procedure have discovered a newfound confidence after surgery. When you look good, you feel good.
What Are My Options for Blepharoplasty?
Dr. Taylor uses different blepharoplasty techniques to suit the individual needs of each patient. Depending on your areas of concern and desired results, an upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or a combination of the two may be the best option.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
If you have hooded eyes or droopy eyelids due to excess upper eyelid skin, upper blepharoplasty can help. Many people dislike how sagging upper eyelids change their appearance. Additionally, significant sagging in this region can cause obstructed vision. Upper eyelid surgery uses incisions to remove excess skin and tighten the remaining skin, eliminating sagging and rejuvenating the eyes.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
For those struggling with puffiness under the eyes or eye bags, lower blepharoplasty can smooth the area to create a more youthful appearance. This technique uses incisions in the lower eyelids to allow Dr. Taylor to redistribute the underlying fat and muscles, creating a smooth surface. Once the adjustments have been made, the incisions will be closed.
What Should I Expect During a Blepharoplasty Procedure?
You’ll be given anesthesia to ensure comfort during surgery. Dr. Taylor typically begins upper eyelid blepharoplasty with an incision that starts along the natural upper eyelid crease. A second incision is made that incorporates the excess skin between the crease and the brow. The final scar blends beautifully and invisibly into the natural crease. With lower eyelid blepharoplasty, an incision is made along the lash line. Through this incision, excess puffy fat can be removed or repositioned, and the excess skin is removed, giving a flatter and tighter look to the lower eyelids. This scar also heals beautifully. Depending on the extent of correction required, the entire blepharoplasty procedure can take between one and two hours.
What Is Blepharoplasty Recovery Like?
After blepharoplasty, Dr. Taylor may instruct you to apply ointment to your incisions to keep them lubricated and to use cold compresses to control swelling and eliminate pain. Patients can expect their eyelid surgery recovery to last about one to two weeks, but recovery time varies from patient to patient. Prescribed medication will help alleviate any discomfort, aid in healing, and help prevent infection.
What Results Can I Expect After Eyelid Surgery?
Once the swelling has subsided, you should be able to notice a difference in the appearance of your eyelids. It may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for the swelling to subside and for the eyelid surgery results to become noticeable.
Typically, patients enjoy their blepharoplasty results for many years; however, blepharoplasty does not halt the effects of aging after surgery. Therefore, it is important to engage in healthy anti-aging habits that will help maintain your blepharoplasty results as long as possible, such as wearing sunscreen to protect the eyelids from sun damage.
How Much Does Blepharoplasty Cost?
Eyelid surgery cost varies depending on the technique, surgeon’s experience, and location of surgery. Dr. Taylor is an experienced plastic surgeon who has performed thousands of cosmetic procedures over the past 20 years. His skill, passion, and attention to detail assure patients that they are receiving the best care possible when choosing him for their blepharoplasty.
According to 2023 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average cost of upper blepharoplasty is $3,359, and the average for lower blepharoplasty is $3,876. These costs don’t include facility fees, anesthesia, and other related expenses.
FAQ About Blepharoplasty
What are the risks of complications associated with blepharoplasty?
Although rare or temporary, some complications associated with blepharoplasty include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor scarring
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Asymmetry
How long do your eyes stay swollen after eyelid surgery?
Your eyelids may be swollen and bruised for one to three weeks after surgery. It is important to keep your eyelids clean and avoid rubbing them, as this can slow down the healing process.
Is eyelid surgery painful?
Eyelid surgery does not cause significant pain. However, during the recovery period, you may experience blurred vision and watery, itchy, or dry eyes. If the discomfort persists, Dr. Taylor will prescribe pain medication.
Can blepharoplasty be combined with other plastic surgery procedures?
Many patients seeking to tighten excess eyelid skin are surprised to learn that they would benefit most from blepharoplasty alone. However, in some cases, patients achieve the most youthful results with a combination of techniques that address other facial imperfections.
Blepharoplasty may be combined with several other procedures, including:
Dr. Taylor can inform you about any other options you may want to consider to complete your facial rejuvenation journey.
Does blepharoplasty leave scars?
Dr. Taylor carefully places blepharoplasty incisions in strategic areas of the eyelids, such as the crease and lash line, which makes them nearly undetectable. Scarring is minimal and, depending on the patient and how they heal, will fade over time.
