It can be hard to feel alive and vibrant when you see those drooping eyes looking back at you from the mirror! The loose skin and fat bags under your eyes can make you look more tired and older than you feel inside. An eyelid lift could be your answer to this problem.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that can correct sagging eyelids, remove excess skin from the upper eyelids, and remove fatty pouches beneath the eyes. A lower eyelid lift for eye bag removal can be accomplished without any skin incisions, which eliminates the risk of scarring and facilitates the healing process.
Eyelid surgery is one of the most commonly performed facial plastic surgery procedures. The popularity of this procedure reflects the importance of the eyes in perfecting overall appearance. Patients may want to consider lower eyelid blepharoplasty to improve their look and boost their confidence through a safe procedure with minimal downtime.
Candidates for Eyelid Surgery
The best candidates for eyelid surgery fit the following criteria:
- Are in good health
- Do not smoke
- Have healthy facial tissue and muscle
- Do not have any serious eye conditions
On the other hand, a person who suffers from diabetes, eye disease, thyroid disorder, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disorder may not be a good candidate for blepharoplasty.
Patients should have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery. While eyelid surgery can enhance the appearance of the eyes, it does not radically change the overall look of the face.
Patient Testimonial
What Are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty can help many conditions by:
- Removing loose or sagging skin that disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision
- Removing fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids
- Clearing bags under the eyes
- Reducing excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid
- Providing a fresh appearance
The Blepharoplasty Procedure
Dr. Serebrakian performs blepharoplasty either on the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid. The procedure typically takes from 45 minutes to an hour to complete. The surgery could be done either under local anesthesia, with sedation or general anesthesia.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
The upper eyelid procedure involves an incision within the natural crease on the eyelid. This allows for removal or repositioning of fat deposits this help tighten the muscles and removal of excess skin.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid procedure is meant to also remove or reposition the fat deposits to help tighten the muscles. This procedure involves an incision just below the lower lash line. Dr. Armen Serebrakian understands that every patient is unique, which may make each procedure process and technique used different.
Blepharoplasty Before and After
Recovery From Eyelid Surgery
After surgery, the doctor may recommend applying lubricating drops or ointment and cold compresses to aid in the healing process and minimize side effects. Possible side effects include swelling, bruising, irritation, and dry eyes. Patients can usually return to work within a few days after the procedure but should avoid exercise and strenuous activity for at least two weeks. Dr. Serebrakian will give the patient specific instructions on how to care for his/her eyes after the procedure.
How Can I Prepare for My Eyelid Surgery?
Properly preparing for your eyelid surgery before it occurs can optimize your results and help avoid complications during the procedure and recovery. To prepare for your surgery, we recommend doing the following:
- Consult with your primary doctor to determine whether stopping prescription medications is necessary before beginning this procedure.
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory or blood thinning medications such as Aspiring and Ibuprofen.
- Quit smoking.
- Do not eat or drink anything on the morning of your surgery.
- Wear comfortable clothing on the day of your surgery.
- Avoid wearing jewelry and makeup on the day of your surgery.
- Do not wear contact lenses on the day of your surgery. Wearing glasses is okay.
- You may continue to wear your dentures.
- Avoid taking herbal supplements before your procedure.
- Arrange transportation plans with a loved one.
- Prepare your home for recovery by creating an environment that is comfortable and easy to move around in.
Is Eyelid Surgery Painful?
As a board-certified surgeon with years of experience serving patients in the Bay Area, Dr. Armen Serebrakian prioritizes patient comfort and safety during every procedure. With the blepharoplasty procedure, most patients have a painless experience during surgery and only have minimal discomfort during their recovery period. Depending on a patient's comfort level, local or general anesthesia can be given to minimize any discomfort and pain that may occur during the surgery. Overall, the surgery which only requires a simple skin excision to the eyelid area typically does not cause overwhelming pain.
Things to Avoid After Eyelid Surgery
Taking care of your face and eyelid area post-surgery is a crucial part of the recovery process. If done properly, patients will experience an easy recovery and begin to see results swiftly. However, if not handled with care, patients may run into complications as their body heals from surgery. To achieve a pain-free recovery, we recommend patients do the following:
- Try to avoid sneezing, coughing, and vomiting if you can. These actions may increase facial pressure and encourage bleeding in the treated area.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and activities such as lifting heavy objects.
- Avoid driving.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes or touching your face.
- Avoid eating pickled foods to avoid bacteria that can increase inflammation and infection.
Recovery From Eyelid Surgery
After surgery, the doctor may recommend applying lubricating drops or ointment and cold compresses to aid in the healing process and minimize side effects. Possible side effects include swelling, bruising, irritation, and dry eyes. Patients can usually return to work within a few days after the procedure. Dr. Serebrakian will give the patient specific instructions on how to care for his/her eyes after the procedure.
How Long Do the Results of Eyelid Surgery Last?
The effects of eyelid surgery will last a lifetime. However, this does not mean that the natural progression of age will not affect the appearance of the face. The face will continue to age as appropriate, but the results of the blepharoplasty will make continue to make patients look younger than if they had not had the procedure. Results of the surgery can also be maintained through follow up procedures and non-surgical treatments, such as Botox.
Combining Blepharoplasty With Other Procedures
We are able to perform blepharoplasty alone or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures. We are able to combine eyelid surgery with any of the following:
- Facelift
- Brow lift
- Laser skin resurfacing for total facial rejuvenation.
Risks of Eyelid Surgery
Understanding what risks are involved in any surgical procedure is an important part of deciding whether or not a surgery is right for you. Just as with any surgical procedure, eyelid surgery comes with potential risks. These risks include:
- Permanent scarring
- Dry eyes
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blurred vision
- Injury to eye
If you are considering getting eyelid surgery, be sure to talk to Dr. Serebrakian about the potential risks.
Schedule A Consultation
At Bay Area Cosmetic Laser Surgery Center, we look forward to helping you diminish the signs of aging and restore a youthful and rejuvenated appearance to your face. To schedule a consultation or to learn more about blepharoplasty, please call us at our Larkspur Office at 415-461-5755 or our Pinole Office at 510-724-8282. You can also fill out the consultation request form below and our staff will get back to you at the earliest convenience. Dr. Armen Serebrakian serves San Francisco, Larkspur, Pinole and surrounding areas in California.