Blepharoplasty Explained
The skin around your eyes is very delicate. Over time, it begins to lose some of its elasticity, and your muscles weaken. This can change the appearance of your eyes, and you may notice sagging or bags underneath. Your upper eyelids may also hang over your eyes, impacting your vision. Rather than looking awake and alert, you may appear tired or older than you actually are.
Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery can correct these issues and refresh the way you look. It can get rid of small deposits of fat that have collected and remove excess skin that is weighing your eyelids down.
Benefits of Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery can enhance not only aesthetics but also the function of your eyes. You may not realize how much your eyelids are affecting your vision until the skin has been trimmed and tightened. There are numerous advantages to rejuvenating the skin around your eyes:
- It can give you a more youthful appearance by smoothing skin and removing bags under the eyes.
- It can make you look more alert by reshaping your eyelids and opening up how much of your eyes are visible.
- It can eliminate excess skin and fat hanging over your eyelids that is interfering with your vision.
- It can reduce some of the heaviness and weight of your eyelids that make you feel (and look) more tired.
- It can eliminate extra folds that have formed on the eyelids due to sagging skin.
- It can minimize the appearance of some of the fine wrinkles that have developed over time.
Who Is a Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
Women and men alike can benefit from blepharoplasty. It can be performed for cosmetic reasons, medical reasons, or both. Let your doctor know about any concerns or dissatisfaction you have regarding your eyelids, and discuss whether you may be a good candidate for surgery. Some of the factors taken into consideration include:
- The skin around your eyes is generally healthy.
- Your upper eyelids are sagging and have extra folds or creases.
- Your upper eyelids are interfering with your vision.
- Your lower eyelids are droopy, or there are bags under your eyes.
- Extra fat deposits are making your eyelids appear puffy or uneven.
Can I Combine Blepharoplasty with Other Procedures?
Not every issue with the appearance of your eyes can necessarily be fixed just by refining your eyelids. Sagging of the eyebrows, wrinkles, and loss of volume can also affect how your eyes look. Blepharoplasty can be effectively combined with other procedures to enhance results and combat further signs of aging.
Brow Lift
A brow lift raises your eyebrows and is sometimes referred to as a forehead lift. The skin is gently pulled up, which can reduce sagging skin, wrinkles, and fine lines. Lifting the eyebrows can open up the eyes and improve facial contour.
Fat Grafting
Fat grafting uses your own cells to plump and reshape areas of your face that may have lost volume, such as along your temples, cheeks, or nose. Transferring small amounts of fat can smooth lines and fill out your face to accentuate the natural beauty of your eyes and other features.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a non-surgical option for rejuvenating your skin and minimizing signs of aging. They can add volume and definition, smooth away fine lines and wrinkles, plump thinning lips, and leave you looking and feeling younger. Fillers can complement the results of your blepharoplasty.
Cost of Blepharoplasty
The cost of eyelid surgery varies from one person to the next. It will depend on factors such as the complexity of the surgery, where it is performed, who performs it, and whether you are having just the upper or lower eyelids treated, or both. If you are combining blepharoplasty with other procedures, that will also affect the price.
Another major factor is health insurance. If there are medical reasons for needing surgery, such as your eyelids interfering with your vision, insurance may cover the procedure. If it is purely cosmetic, insurance may not.
What Is the Recovery from Eyelid Surgery Like?
You will want to be gentle with your eyes following surgery, and take it easy for the next two weeks. Your vision may be blurry for a day or two, but avoid rubbing your eyes and stretching the skin. Your eyes may also be sensitive to light, so wearing sunglasses can be helpful. To minimize any swelling or discomfort, you can place ice packs over your eyes and keep your head elevated. If you normally wear contacts, you should be ready to wear glasses instead for several days.
Your symptoms should gradually improve over the course of a week or two. It is important to clean around your eyes daily and use any eyedrops your doctor prescribed to prevent infection. Avoid any rigorous activity or strenuous exercise that can strain your facial muscles as well. Once your doctor removes any stitches and gives you the all-clear, you can resume normal activity.
Refresh and revitalize your eyes with blepharoplasty. Contact our office for a consultation.