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Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lift)
The eyes are a prominent facial feature that conveys emotion. The tissue, muscle, fat, hair and lashes all contribute to the wide array of expressions. Age, sun exposure and hereditary factors all contribute to wrinkles, deep lines and puffiness around the eyes.
The aging process can cause unwanted changes in expression, causing us to look permanently fatigued and older than we really are. The changes in our eyelids can alter our appearance as well as blocking our vision. An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is designed to restore a more youthful appearance to your eyes. It may involve the upper lids, the lower lids, or both.
New and Traditional Techniques
Traditional Blepharoplasty: An incision is made in the upper lid skin crease. Once healed, it is not noticeable when the eyes are open. On the lower lid, the incision is made just below the lash line and is often hidden by the lashes when healed.
The Transconjunctival Approach: This is a newer technique for lid blepharoplasty, involving an incision inside the lower lid. Fat can be removed through this incision, but excess skin cannot be eliminated.
Chemical peel of the eyelids is a non-surgical alternative that can be done in conjunction with or separate from a blepharoplasty. A chemical peel may delay the need for a surgical blepharoplasty. The results of a chemical peel will typically result in significant tightening of the skin around the eyes, but will not affect the fat around the eyes and may even accentuate it.
Please ask your doctor if you have any questions about which procedure is right for you.
The Surgery
Blepharoplasty can be done under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia depending on whether blepharoplasty is done alone or in conjunction with other procedures. Once local anesthesia is given, skin, muscle and typically fat is removed from around the eyes. The incisions are then closed with resorbable sutures.
This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at our surgical center. It is important to arrange for care after the surgery. Someone must drive you home and be available to care for you for the first 24 hours.
Post Operative Instructions
The area surrounding the eyes will remain swollen in the days following the surgery. It should begin to subside after the second day. Some vision blurring is normal.
Your stitches dissolve and do not require removal. Swelling and bruising will persist for about 10 days, but you can begin wearing makeup to help conceal these concerns. You may expect to resume normal activity within a week to 10 days, and start enjoying your new look within approximately 10-14 days. It may take about 6 months for the scars to lose their redness.
Wrinkling will recur later in life, however it is unlikely that the “bags” will recur because the fat has been removed. Deeper wrinkles around the outer eye extended onto the temple are not greatly affected by the eyelid lift. These areas may be treated with laser resurfacing.