Liven Up the Look of Your Eyes
The first detectable areas of aging on the face usually involve subtle changes of the upper and lower eyelids, occurring in many women and men as early as their thirties. The effects of aging are seen early in this area because of the unique characteristics of eyelid skin, the vulnerability of underlying support structures, and the years of sun exposure and repetitive facial expressions. While Botox, injectable soft tissue fillers, laser treatments, and chemical peels can erase some of the early signs of aging, such as crow’s feet and early volume loss, more definitive eyelid rejuvenation is best accomplished with surgery.
The Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
Every year, over 100,000 men and women undergo eyelid rejuvenation surgery, also called blepharoplasty, to improve their appearance. There are many reasons to consider eyelid surgery. The eyes are the focal point of facial expression and convey a great deal about your mood and feelings in social interactions. Inviting eyes are a key aspect of a youthful appearance. Much of what plastic surgeons do is divert attention from other parts of the face to the eyes.
Excess eyelid skin and “bags” under your eyes can make you appear tired or even angry. Volume loss in the eyelids and cheeks associated with aging leads to puffiness, grooves, and unnatural contours. Some individuals may experience obstructed vision from excess upper eyelid skin, making blepharoplasty a medically required procedure. In certain families, aging eyelids are hereditary, with hooded lids or prominent under-eye bags emerging as early as the late teens to early 20s.
By using incisions that are either completely invisible or precisely camouflaged, blepharoplasty surgery involves trimming excess eyelid skin and reducing or repositioning fat pockets, to restore a natural, crisp, bright appearance to your eyes.
For patients who are considering cosmetic surgery, blepharoplasty is a great place to start. The recovery process tends to be quick and, once swelling resolves, the results are immediate and often dramatic.
During your initial consultation, you will be examined and a medical history will be taken concerning vision, tear production, use of lenses, and your desires for surgery. Factors to be weighed include age, skin type, ethnic background, and degree of vision obstruction.
The Eyelid Surgery Procedure
Eyelid surgery can be performed alone or in conjunction with other facial rejuvenation procedures. Autologous fat transfer is a valuable adjunct to eyelid surgery, as it restores volume to the upper cheek region. Your surgeon may also recommend a brow lift, facelift, or skin resurfacing to achieve the best results.
In this procedure, incisions are made in the eyelid creases, following the natural folds to hide the scars. Excess fat, muscle, and loose skin are removed or repositioned.
With upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty), the incision is placed within the upper eyelid crease and may extend slightly beyond the corner of the eye to remove the excess skin frequently present in this location. Underlying fat may be removed to eliminate fullness.
With lower eyelid surgery (lower blepharoplasty), incisions are either made just below the lash line or even on the inside of the eyelid. The surgery is individualized to the patient’s needs, but it typically involves eliminating bags that cast shadows beneath the eyes. Excess skin is also eliminated to create a smoother transition from the eyelid to the cheek.
To correct concerns that eyelid surgery alone cannot address, blepharoplasty may be combined with complementary procedures, including endoscopic brow lift, facelift, or laser resurfacing procedures.
Surgery is performed as an outpatient under local or twilight anesthesia. The upper and lower eyelids can be done alone or as a combined procedure. The length of the procedure varies from 45 minutes to around two hours, depending on the extent of your surgery. Normal swelling and bruising will occur but tend to be mild. Ice packs are used for the first few days for comfort and to reduce swelling. Patients typically report that they are able to return to their normal activities within a few days of their procedure. Any slight bruising or swelling typically vanishes in 10 to 14 days. Most patients can resume exercising in three weeks.
After your procedure, you will notice a refreshed appearance–one that is often difficult for friends, co-workers, and even family members to pinpoint exactly why you look so great.
Begin with a Consultation for Eyelid Surgery
If the look of your eyelids leaves you feeling self-conscious or older than you are, eyelid surgery may be an effective treatment option for you. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation for upper or lower eyelid surgery at the Center for Plastic Surgery at Castle Rock.
