Eyelid Surgery Q&A: All About Blepharoplasty
- Posted on: Jul 20 2017
By: Dr. Patrick Flaharty
Do you remember the very first time you looked into the mirror and saw a few tiny lines forming around your eyes? For me, it was in my early 30s. No major wrinkles, but enough of them to make me think, “Huh. That’s weird. I guess I’m getting a little older.”
Several years later, those wrinkles started to get deeper and more pronounced, and I started to think, “Boy, these wrinkles are really making me look older than my age.”
The tiny, delicate skin around the eyes is usually the first to show signs of aging. Because that skin is constantly moving and stretching, it’s usually the very first place you notice wrinkles start to form. As you get a bit older, the wear and tear on that skin continues and you might start to notice that you’ve developed looser skin around the eyes, deep crow’s feet, fatty deposits and a worn-out, tired expression. More so than just about any other part of the face, the area around the eyes can make us appear older than we actually are. Is there a fix? Absolutely.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is the medical term for what is commonly known as eyelid surgery. This safe and effective surgical procedure is one of the best ways to rejuvenate the eyelids, either on its own or as part of more inclusive facial rejuvenation.
In eyelid surgery, we will tighten up the skin, fill in the hollows under your eyes and remove any fat deposits that contribute to a tired, aged expression.
What is the surgery like?
Some people don’t know what to expect with cosmetic surgery. In the case of blepharoplasty, it requires twilight (mild) anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety.
During the surgery, we can do your upper lids or lower lids, or both at the same time. Lower eyelid surgery is associated with fixing any dark circles, puffiness, and sagging, while upper eyelid surgery treats skin laxity and fatty deposits. Generally, we recommend that you have both upper and lower eyelids done at once. (Many people get a facelift and/or brow lift while having blepharoplasty done!)
One concern that many patients have is whether they will end up with scars. My extensive experience performing this procedure means that I can utilize the natural contours of your eyes to hide any incisions, making your scars almost invisible.
What is the recovery period like?
Everyone’s recovery period is a little different, depending on their body’s ability to heal, and the extent of the surgery. Generally, most patients take about three days to a week off work to recover. During this time, patients will use ice compresses to help reduce the swelling. After one week, I will remove the sutures and, at this point, the swelling and bruising around the eyes will begin to fade. Within two weeks, the visible bruising and swelling should be almost completely gone. One of Azul’s Mineral Makeup line products (from Trilogy Laboratories) is perfect for covering up the bruising while the tissue around your eyes heals.
When will I see my full results?
Although the majority of the swelling around the eyes will subside after about two weeks, it can still take some time for your full results to be seen. Minor redness and swelling can last for four to six weeks. Some patients note dryness and numbness of the eyelid for a few months.
Are there any procedures that complement blepharoplasty?
Absolutely. As eyelid surgery is considered to be a major part of a fully harmonious rejuvenation, there are other procedures that can significantly enhance your results.
Although eyelid surgery will greatly reduce the amount of wrinkles around your eyes, the deeper ones (such as crow’s feet) can be taken care of with a round of Botox Cosmetic. For very deep lines, dermal facial fillers can be used to literally fill in the wrinkles. A micropeel, or our HydraFacial MD treatment, can help minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles, restore hydration to the face and extract any impurities.
If you really want a fully harmonious rejuvenation, you can combine your eyelid surgery with a brow lift and a face and neck lift. Together, these procedures can give you a fully harmonious and long lasting rejuvenation of the entire face and neck in just one session.
Eyelid surgery is one of the best ways to restore a youthful expression to the face. Think about it this way: the eyes are the windows to the soul, but every now and then you may want to update the curtains!
If you are curious if blepharoplasty is the right procedure for you, please give us a call at (239) 415-7576 to book a free consultation with me. If you’d like to learn more about blepharoplasty, or any of our other cosmetic surgery procedures, please browse our website. A harmonious rejuvenation is within everyone’s grasp, they just need to call us and ask for a free consultation!
Posted in: Procedures