Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes extra skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids. This procedure also may involve contouring or removing fat from around the eyes for a younger, more rested, and fresher appearance.

Eyelid surgery is a serious cosmetic procedure, so it’s important to review everything about it before you make your decision. Below is more information.

Upper or Lower Eyelid Surgery

A blepharoplasty can be done on the upper or lower eyelids, or both at the same time:

• Upper: For patients who have extra skin over the eyes that make them look older than they are.
• Lower: For patients who have dark, puffy bags under their eyes that make them look tired and older.

Your surgeon will check your eyes and face and recommend which procedure may be best for you. Some surgeons may recommend a brow lift, as well.

Every Eyelid Surgery Is Different

Remember that your eyes are different from everyone else’s, so no two of these surgeries are identical. Your surgeon will craft your eyelid surgery according to your goals and eye structure for optimal results.

For the surgery to be successful, your surgeon needs to understand what the ‘ideal eye’ is, but this varies based on ethnicity and gender. Also, your surgeon needs to know how the eyelid functions and its structure. That’s why it’s so important to select a skilled plastic surgeon for your eyelid surgery.

How Eyelid Surgery Works

Upper or lower eyelid surgery can be done in your surgeon’s office or operating room. Most patients have mild sedation or local anesthesia.

Before the upper eyelid procedure, your surgeon will make the eyelid crease and measure and outline how much skin to remove. After administering a local anesthetic, he will remove the skin carefully with a scalpel and electrocautery.

Your surgeon will take off enough skin so that you have a youthful and natural look, but not too much so that it makes the eyelid close.

With your lower eyelids, the surgeon makes small incisions to remove or change the position of fat so you have a more natural contour under your eyelids. If you have sagging skin under the eyes, it will be removed. The surgeon also may tighten the lower eyelid muscles.

After ensuring your eyes are symmetrical, your surgeon will close the incisions with sutures that dissolve after a few weeks.

Results To Expect

Every patient is different, but you should see brighter, tighter, and more open eyes within two weeks of the procedure. The results are subtle but noticeable. You’ll look younger, more alert, and rested. It’s the type of cosmetic procedure that makes people say ‘you look different,’ but they don’t know why.

You may see an improvement in your eyelids right after surgery. But you will have bruising and swelling, so you may need to wait a few weeks to see the final results.

Surgeon Can Use Laser Or Scalpel

Your surgeon may use a scalpel or laser. The results of the procedure can be outstanding whichever instrument the surgeon uses. What matters most is the skill of the plastic surgeon.

Many plastic surgeons use a traditional fine scalpel and electrocautery to eliminate bleeding.

Risks To Eyelids Surgery

Eyelid surgery is safe and effective, but all surgeries have risks. Some minor issues you could experience temporarily are:

• Temporary blurred or double visions
• Temporary swelling and bruising around the upper eye
• Small bumps around the incisions

These side effects are part of your healing process after the surgery and should go away in a few days. More serious complications include:

• Dry eyes
• Asymmetry
• Difficulty closing the eyes

Recovery From Eyelid Surgery

Recovery from this procedure is usually straightforward. You may have some bruising and swelling, but significant pain is rare. You can alleviate these issues with ice packs and by keeping your head raised while sleeping.

Remember to only engage in light activity for two weeks after the surgery, and don’t lift anything heavy. But you can go back to work within two or three days.

Vision After Surgery

After surgery, you’ll have blurred vision temporarily from corneal swelling. But your vision should be normal after two or three days. No patches over your eyes are needed after eyelid surgery.

Scarring

Scarring is minor with eyelid surgery; it only requires tiny incisions in the eyelid creases. The scars are hardly noticeable after you heal. Some may have redness near the incisions, but this goes away after several days.

Results For A Lifetime

The results of eyelid surgery last many years. However, as you age, expect the elasticity of your skin and the quality of the facial muscles to change. You can protect the skin around the eyes with good sunscreen and moisturizer to preserve your results.

This surgery is an excellent option if you want to look better rested and younger around your eyes. You’ll find the results are subtle but dramatic, and recovery only takes a few days.

Some patients also have a facelift or rhinoplasty with this procedure to save time and money. Plus, you can get your recovery done all at once.

Request An Eyelid Surgery Consultation Today

Interested in a Las Vegas eyelid surgery? Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Rachel Mason today! She will review the options with you about eyelid surgery, your goals and help determine if you’re an ideal candidate for this procedure.

References

• Eyelid Surgery Guide. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/face/eyelid-surgery-guide/
• 8 Things To Know About Eyelid Surgery. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/eyelid-surgery-blepharoplasty/8-things-to-know-about-eyelid-surgery