Eyelid Lift: Blepharoplasty
Description
The Surgical Procedure
What to Expect After Surgery
Resuming Physical Activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Before/After Eyelid Lift Photos
What is an Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)?
The eyes are said to be the windows to the soul. More than any other facial feature, your eyes reveal the most about how you feel. When your eyes are bright and alert, you appear energized, well rested and in control.
If you believe that your eyes are making you look tired, sad, or older than you really feel, cosmetic eyelid surgery (also called blepharoplasty) may be the right choice for you. Eyelid surgery can remove the excess fat and drooping skin of the upper eyelids, minimize bags under the eyes and tighten the lower eyelid skin. The result is a more alert and rested appearance.
The exact cost of blepharoplasty depends on the technique and the anesthetic used. The surgery package price includes the surgeon's fee, the outpatient hospital and operating room expenses and the anesthesiologist’s fee. This can range from $3000 for upper or lower blepharoplasty under local anesthesia to $6500 for upper and lower blepharoplasty under general anesthesia.
Blepharoplasty is performed to reduce the wrinkling and/or bulging of eyelid tissue. Not all patients need to have both excess skin and excess fat (bags under the eyes) removed. In many cases only one procedure is needed. Not every wrinkle and fold of skin around the eyes can be removed. Most recently, there have been innovations in eye surgery to preserve and redistribute fat around the eyes rather than just to remove it. This results in a less hollow, "done" appearance.
The Surgical Procedure
The surgery takes approximately one and a half to three hours to complete, depending on whether either or both the upper and lower eyelids are done. The procedure is most often done under local anesthesia with intravenous conscious sedation.
What to Expect After Surgery
There is usually little pain. Bruising and swelling of the eyelids varies with each patient and is usually slight. Most importantly, patients experience blurry vision and dryness for several days. Prolonged use of the eyes, as in watching television, surfing the web or reading is to be avoided. Most of the swelling and bruising is gone within five to ten days, but it is not unusual for some discoloration to last longer.
Resuming Physical Activities
- Work and social activities - 10 days -2 weeks
- Driving - 2 weeks
- Back to work - 2 weeks
- Prolonged use of the eyes - up to 1 month
Frequently Asked Questions about Eyelid Surgery
Q: How do you get rid of the “puffiness” under the eyes?
A: A lower blepharoplasty (lower eyelid surgery) will get rid of the pockets of fat that often cause the puffiness.
Q: Is there any way to alleviate the heavy feeling that makes it difficult to hold the eyes open?
A: Yes, upper eyelid surgery can alleviate the “heaviness” that people feel around their eyes when the excess skin of the eyelid weighs them down.
Q: Where is the incision for eyelid surgery?
A: The incision for upper eyelid surgery is hidden in natural fold of the upper eyelid and extends slightly beyond the outside corner. For the lower eyelid, the incision is hidden just below the lower eyelashes.
Q: How long do I need to take off work after eyelid surgery?
A: It is suggested that you take two weeks off work after eyelid surgery and refrain from strenuous activity for up to one month.
