Eyelid Rejuvenation

The eyes are probably the first area of the face to show the signs of aging. If your eyes are making you look tired, depressed, or angry regardless of how you feel, you may consider blepharoplasty, or eyelid rejuvenation surgery. Eyelid surgery is recommended for those patients who have excess fat deposits or bags above or below the eye. These puffy fatty deposits can make you appear tired or angry. The genes you inherit from your parents may determine the extent of your eyelid problems. If droopy eyelids impair your vision, this procedure may be covered by insurance.

(before & after)

Is there an ideal age for eyelid surgery?
Rather than an ideal age, there is an ideal timing. When the problem to be corrected is present, eyelid surgery can be performed. Usually, individuals over thirty are candidates.

Are the scars visible? Where are they placed?
Incisions are typically made in the creases of your upper eyelids and just below the lashes in your lower eyelids, making scars virtually invisible. After the underlying fat and excess skin are removed, the incisions are closed with fine sutures designed to leave nearly invisible scars. In a Transconjuctival blepharoplasty, the plastic surgeon makes the incision inside the lower eyelid. No skin is removed and the incision is closed with dissolving sutures. Eyelid surgery usually takes between one to three hours as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. Stitches are removed in about one week and you can return to work in 5-7 days.

What type of anesthesia is used?
Eyelid rejuvenation surgery is usually performed using local anesthesia.

Is the post-operative period painful?
Not usually. You may feel more sensitive, or have minor fits of pain, but common analgesics can relieve most discomfort. Your surgeon will prescribe the proper pain medication. Do not do any self-medication.

Is there much swelling of the eye area? How long does it last?
The edema (swelling) varies with the individuals. Some patients will have a quite natural look in four to five days, while others will be presentable more than one week after surgery. Eyelid swelling is at its maximum for the first three days after surgery. The use of cold compresses can minimize the swelling. Dark sunglasses can camouflage the eyes. It usually takes three months for the residual edema to go unnoticed.

When will I have the definite result?
After three months. However, an estimated twenty-five percent of the desired result will be achieved just after one week. Thereafter, significant improvement is likely to continue for 2 or 3 weeks.

Is the result really worth it?
If you have made an informed choice and the surgeon is capable of effecting the changes you desire, no doubt the result will be worth it. However, it is important to bear in mind that the eyelid surgery alone cannot rejuvenate the entire face. Many patients mistakenly expect such result – facial rejuvenation – from an eyelid rejuvenation surgery. Facial rejuvenation involves performing other surgeries in conjunction with eyelid rejuvenation surgery. Crow’s feet, however, are not completely eliminated. Even following the most successful operation, some vestiges will persist, due to the action of the orbicular muscle of the eyes and loss of elasticity of the skin.