Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a cosmetic surgical procedure to remove excess skin, fat or muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty improves baggy skin under and above the eyes, puffiness, and some wrinkling. Blepharoplasty treats drooping eyelids, but not drooping eyebrows.. Blepharoplasty is often performed with another cosmetic surgery such as a browlift or facelift to improve droopy eyebrows, crow's feet and facial sagging. The procedure involves making an incision along the line creases of the upper eyelid and possibly along the outer lower rim of the eye's skin. When removing fatty tissue, but not skin, the surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty with an incision inside the lower rim of the eye's skin. These incisions often reach the outer corners of the eyes. Eyelid surgery can be performed under local anesthesia but often general anesthesia or IV sedation is used. Depending on the extent of the procedure, time in surgery may be up to three hours. Patients return home typically within hours of the surgery.
Although eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a common and relatively safe surgery, it is not for everyone. Because of the incisions made, a scar is often left to some degree. Patients who want to avoid general anesthesia or have a history of dry eyes or other medical conditions may have greater risks associated with the procedure. In addition, there is a recovery period which will involve both social and physical downtime, about 10 days.
Depending on the severity of complaints around the eye, there are other alternatives to eyelid or blepharoplasty surgery. For those individuals who are younger or have less severe eyelid problems there is the Non Surgical Eyelift. Using a combination of fillers, Botox/Dysport, and fractional laser resurfacing (Fraxel Repair), patients can achieve dramatic skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, and reduction in eye hollowness and discoloration with a simple in-office procedure. Anesthesia is topical and most patients can return to work immediately depending on the level of treatment provided. Ask Dr Frank during a consultation is a non surgical eyelift is right for you.
