Understanding Blepharoplasty: What you Need to Know about Eyelid Surgery

What is eyelid surgery?

Also known as blepharophasty, eyelid surgery is a common procedure that can correct drooping baggy upper eyelids and lower eyelids. It is an effective technique to remove and tighten excess, sagging skin, remove fat that causes puffiness under the eyes, and tighten drooping muscles to restore eyes to a youthful, fresh alert look.

After eyelid surgery, the area around your eyes and your entire face will look younger. People who have eyelid surgery often hear exclamations such as, “You look so wonderful and rested!”

Eyelid surgery is among the most popular cosmetic procedures today to rejuvenate the area around the eyes and make them appear open and bright.

 Click here to see Blepharoplasty Before & After Photos

What happens during eyelid surgery?

 Depending on your needs, the techniques for eyelid surgery can include laser therapy alone, surgery alone, or a combination of laser therapy and surgery:

• People with mildly softening and wrinkled lids often can get outstanding results with laser treatment instead of surgery and incisions

• People with more severely drooping and wrinkled lids are likely to have surgery that includes very small incisions in the eyelid creases ¾ an approach that conceals the scars

• Combination surgery and laser therapy can yield the best results for restoring the delicate area around the eyes to a youthful, alert appearance

Blepharoplasty usually takes less than 2 hours. It is typically performed in an ambulatory surgery center. Most eyelid surgery patients go home a few hours after their surgery.

After Eyelid Surgery

You are likely to have mild discomfort the first few days after eyelid surgery. In most cases, any discomfort can be managed well with oral over-the-counter or prescription medications such as ibuprofen or Tylenol.

For the first few nights after your procedure, you should sleep upright to reduce swelling. Your surgeon also might give you an ointment or eye drops to use during the first days after your procedure.

Nondissovable stitches are typically removed 5 to 14 days after eyelid surgery.

Swelling and bruising after eyelid surgery usually resolves within 10 to 14 days. Most people who have the procedure return to work and normal activities after about 2 weeks.

Who can have eyelid surgery?

Most people who have eyelid surgery are age 35 years or older. But you can have eyelid surgery at a younger age to correct inherited problems such as drooping or bags under the eyes.

When eyelid plastic surgery corrects drooping eyelids that impair vision, insurance often covers it. If you are considering eyelid surgery, ask your surgeon whether your surgery is medically necessary.

Want a fresher looking face overall?

Eyelid Surgery can restore a youthful appearance to your eyes and preserve the unique characteristics of your expression and features. To tighten and reduce wrinkles in the lower part of the face, you might want to combine a facelift and neck lift with your eyelid surgery.

Exceptional results in eyelid surgery depend on an experienced, skilled plastic surgeon who can rejuvenate your eyelids and make you the best you can be.

To find a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area, visit Surgeon Network’s Surgeon Directory.

By Dr. John B. Holds, M.D., F.A.C.S | St. Louis, MO