Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Aesthetic eyelid surgery is performed on adults of all ages. Some people have eyelid surgery to correct problems that are a result of aging, while others have inherited traits that cause them to seek treatment as early as their 20's and 30's.
Any one or combination of the following conditions may indicate that you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery:
- Excess skin obscuring the natural fold of the upper eyelids
- Loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids, perhaps impairing vision
- A puffy appearance to the upper eyelids, making the eyes look tired
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelids
- Droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris
- Bags and dark circles under the eyes, often with a depression along the bony border of the lower eyelids
These problems can usually be corrected through eyelid surgery, though other treatments may also need to be considered. For example, if the upper eyelid condition is accompanied by sagging of the eyebrows, then a forehead lift may be recommended. Smoothing of crow's feet may require chemical peeling or laser resurfacing procedures. Circles beneath the eyes caused by dark pigmentation may be treated with a bleaching solution or chemical peel.
Post-operative Procedures & Recovery
Initially, you may feel a "tight" sensation around the eyes and some mild discomfort that can be controlled with oral medication. Usually patients experience varying degrees of swelling and bruising during the first 48 hours. Some patients find that mild swelling persists for several weeks, while others may see swelling resolve in as little as one week. Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days.
Aesthetic eyelid surgery has the effect of making you look more rested, refreshed and alert. Since the healing process is gradual, you should expect to wait at least several weeks to get an accurate picture of the results of your eyelid surgery. Incisions will fade over a number of months until they become barely visible.
The results of aesthetic eyelid surgery are long-lasting, but they may be affected by heredity and lifestyle factors. Removal of fat from your eyelids, which is usually the cause of puffiness and bags, is permanent, and these conditions generally will not recur. The skin continues to age, however, and skin laxity along with fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may return. Sometimes loss of tone in the forehead causes additional sagging of the drooping upper eyelids. If this happens, correction may require a forehead lift or a secondary eyelid procedure.
New Procedural Video
Click on the photo box below to view this informative, procedural presentation including an introduction, an overview with illustrations indicating incisions and how the procedure is performed, how best to prepare and what to to expect, and how to take care of yourself after the procedure.
Requires Adobe Flash Player to view. Download Flash here.
Call our office today at (757) 497-5400 for more information or to schedule your consultation with Dr. JoAnne Lopes.
Information provided by The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
