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Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
The eyelids are one area where aging can begin to show sooner than others. If you feel that you look more tired and worn out than you feel, then eyelid surgery may be a solution.
What is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fatty deposits from the area around the eyelids. Depending on your needs, eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids only, the lower eyelids only, or on both the upper and lower eyelids. The procedure can remove the puffy bags under your eyes and correct drooping lids. This results in a younger, more alert, and youthful appearance.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
Good candidates for eyelid surgery have sagging skin and fat around the eyes as a result of aging. Patients with hooded eyes or heavy upper eyelids which obscure vision can also be good candidates. You must be in overall good health and have realistic expectations about what eyelid surgery can achieve.
Blepharoplasty can be performed alone or with other facial surgeries or treatments as needed. If the upper eyelid condition is accompanied by sagging of the eyebrows, then a forehead lift may also be recommended. Smoothing of crow’s feet may be accomplished with BOTOX®, chemical peels, or laser resurfacing procedures. Circles beneath the eyes caused by dark pigmentation may be treated with hyaluronic acid fillers or chemical peels. Our plastic surgeons can help you develop a customized plan based on your cosmetic needs.
What Happens During Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery can sometimes be performed with sedation and a local anesthetic. Your plastic surgeon will perform incisions within the natural crease of the upper eyelids or inside the lower eyelids depending on your surgical plan. Sagging skin will be excised and fat pads will be rearranged. Then, the incisions will be closed, and you can return home.
Eyelid Surgery Results and Recovery
Eyelid surgery has the effect of making you look more rested, refreshed, and alert. The healing process is gradual because the skin around your eyes is delicate and susceptible to bruising. There can be a feeling of dryness or irritation in the eye that can be treated with prescribed eye drops. You should expect to wait several weeks to get an accurate picture of the results. Incisions will fade over a number of months to become barely visible and easily concealable with makeup.
The results are long-lasting, but they may be affected by heredity and lifestyle factors. Removal of fat from your eyelids, which is usually the cause of puffiness and bags, is permanent, and these conditions generally will not reoccur. The skin will continue to age, however, and skin laxity along with the fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may return. Sometimes loss of tone in the forehead causes additional sagging of the eyebrows which mimics a reoccurrence of drooping upper eyelids. If this happens, correction may require a forehead lift or a secondary eyelid procedure.
Fortunately, significant complications from aesthetic eyelid surgery are infrequent. The subject of risks and potential complications will be discussed during your consultation. There is a possibility of impaired eyelid function that sometimes needs to be corrected by additional surgery. You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions for your pre-and post-surgical care.
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Our laser team can develop a personalized treatment package for your cosmetic needs. To meet with our experienced plastic surgeons and learn more, schedule a consultation at our Draper, UT office by calling or filling out our online form.
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