Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery or the eyelid lift, corrects fat deposits around the eyelids that make a person appear tired, stressed out, and possibly older than he or she really is. Puffy bags under the eyes and heavy upper eyelids are often hereditary and may show up at a very early age; however, they grow worse with time as gravity pulls them downward. If these conditions are severe, a person’s field of vision can be impaired.
How Eyelid Surgery is Performed
Blepharoplasty is a relatively minor procedure, which involves the removal of excess fat, skin, and sometimes muscle. In upper eyelid surgery, an incision is made in the natural fold or crease of each eyelid in order to make the scar as invisible as possible. Through this incision, excess fat and loose skin are removed as needed, and the area is closed with very fine, dissolvable sutures.
In lower eyelid surgery, an incision is made either inside the lid (trans-conjunctival), where only fatty material can be removed, or outside along the lower lash line, when fat, skin, and/or muscle can be removed. Both incisions are very inconspicuous. After the excess fat, skin, and muscle are trimmed away as needed, the incision is closed with fine, dissolvable sutures.
This outpatient procedure requires 1-2 hours and is performed under local anesthesia in our fully accredited AAAHC surgery facility.
After Eyelid Surgery
Immediately after the surgery, an ice pack is applied to the eye area. The patient is instructed to leave cold packs on the area for approximately 48 hours following surgery to help with any swelling or bruising. Elevating the head when lying down will enhance healing and relieve discomfort. An ointment and eye drops will also be prescribed for a few days to several weeks following surgery, as needed. Mild pain and rest medication also alleviate any discomfort.
Healing usually occurs within five days to one week; however, it is possible to have continued dryness, itchiness, blurriness, or sun sensitivity for several more weeks.
Insurance
Eyelid surgery is generally considered an elective procedure for cosmetic purposes. Some policies will cover upper eyelid surgery if it is deemed essential to improve vision. Patients may want to check with their insurance provider to determine if coverage is available.
Concurrent Procedures
Although blepharoplasty is usually performed alone, Dr. Frenzel may recommend a browlift to get the best results. Sometimes, low brows are the main culprit involved with heavy looking upper eyelids, and a browlift may be all that is necessary to correct cosmetic issues of the eyelids. A blepharoplasty may also be performed in conjunction with a full facelift or other facial procedures. Since blepharoplasty does not help dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles around the eyes, a skin treatment, such as a laser resurfacing or chemical peel, may be performed along with the eyelid lift for a more complete facial renewal.
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