Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure that removes excess skin, fat, and wrinkles from the upper and/or lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty has two major benefits. First, it can restore a more rested and youthful appearance to the eye area. Second, it can correct vision impairments caused by drooping eyelids. Patients may undergo upper blepharoplasty for their upper eyelids, lower blepharoplasty for their lower eyelids, or both procedures together for full rejuvenation of the eye area. Often an eyelid tightening procedure will performed in conjunction with the procedure. See Dr. Graham’s eyelid surgery before and after pictures.
Blepharoplasty is one of the most powerful operations in a plastic surgeon’s armamentarium. The eyestruly are “a window to the soul” and rejuvenating the eyes can change a person’s entire face.
Emphasize your eyes: The eyes can attract a lot of attention. In many cultures, the appearance of the eyes is a critical determiner of facial attractiveness. If the eyes are hidden beneath saggy eyelids or if they are disguised by wrinkles, it can detract from your appearance. Eyelid surgery removes excess tissue and smooths and tightens the remaining tissues so that your eyes stand out and draw more attention to their natural beauty
Rejuvenate your appearance: If you have wrinkles around your eyes, saggy eyelids, hollows around your eyes, or puffy bags under your eyes, you may look older than you feel. Eyelid surgery can treat all these issues and restore a more youthful appearance to your face. Blepharoplasty can also help you look more rested and approachable.
Restore your sight: For some individuals, the upper eyelids develop so much excess skin and tissue laxity that eyelid hooding occurs and limits the full range of vision. Upper blepharoplasty can restore your field of vision by removing this excess tissue so that the upper eyelids do not impair your vision.
Eyelid Surgery Candidates
An ideal candidate for eyelid surgery does not smoke and is physically and psychologically healthy but wishes to rejuvenate the appearance of their eyelids and eye area for cosmetic and/or functional reasons. It is rare for patients under age 35 to undergo eyelid surgery, but an exception may be a patient with a genetic predisposition for droopy eyelids. Candidates should have healthy facial tissues and realistic cosmetic goals. Most importantly, candidates should not have glaucoma, a detached retina, or other serious eye conditions.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Many patients present with complaints of heavy eyes or always looking tired. Most of these patients simply have excessive skin, and sometimes muscle, in their upper eyelids. This skin and muscle gradually descends with age. It can weigh down the lid and add years to one’s appearance. Excising this skin and muscle can reverse this tired look and dramatically improve one’s appearance.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Many patients also complain of loose skin and bagginess in their lower eyelids. This bagginess is a result of fat from the lower eyelid gradually bulging out from the orbit. To accentuate this orbital fat herniation, the fat from the cheek also descends, this creates a depression at the orbital rim called a “tear trough” deformity. Lower blepharoplasty improves the skin redundancy by direct excision. The surgery then improves the bagginess by excising or relocating the lower lid fat over the orbital rim, thus correcting the tear trough.
Eyelid Surgery Procedure
Upper blepharoplasty
Dr. Graham will make incisions in the natural creases of the upper eyelids. Depending on your needs, these incisions may extend just beyond the outside corner of the eyes. Through the incisions, Dr. Graham will remove excess skin, remove or reposition fat deposits, and tighten the tissues around the eyes. Dr. Graham will then close the eyelid surgery incisions with surgical tape, skin adhesives, or removable or absorbable sutures.
Lower blepharoplasty
Dr. Graham will make incisions below the lower lash lines. If you need excess fat removed from your lower eyelid area, he may also make incisions inside the lower eyelids. Depending on your needs and incision locations, Dr. Graham may remove excess skin, remove or reposition fat deposits, and tighten the tissues of the lower eyelids. He may use a laser or chemical peel to tighten the skin of the lower eyelids. Dr. Graham will close the eyelid surgery incisions with surgical tape, skin adhesives, or removable or absorbable sutures.
Upper blepharoplasty can be performed as an in office procedure, which results in significant cost savings. Although the surgery can be performed in the hospital if desired. Lower blepharoplasty is more complex and would require surgery in the hospital.
If needed, blepharoplasty can be combined with laser resurfacing, chemical peels, fillers, BOTOX® Cosmetic, a forehead lift, or other facial procedures to more fully rejuvenate and refresh the eyes.
Dr. Graham is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in eyelid surgery. He performs an array of eyelid procedures for reconstruction and cosmetic indications.
What are the risks associated with eyelid surgery?
Please refer to the following form published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons(ASPS)
What is the recovery time following eyelid surgery?
Average blepharoplasty recovery typically is a few days to a week. This depends on whether a lower blepharoplasty is performed. You can drive within a few days as long as you’re not on narcotics. You can return to work in a few days to a week, depending on your profession.
What results can I expect from eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery creates a more refreshed and rested appearance. Your eyelids will appear smoother and well-defined, and your overall face may appear more youthful and inviting. The results will be long lasting but can be affected by aging, heredity, and lifestyle. For example, some skin laxity may eventually recur as the skin ages, and wrinkles may develop from sun overexposure. Wear sunglasses and use sunscreen to protect your eyes from the sun and maintain long-lasting results after eyelid surgery.
How much does eyelid surgery cost?
The national average price for blepharoplasty is $2-6000 dollars. Asian Eyelid surgery or Asian Blepharoplasty takes more time and the price can vary for each patient. You can see Dr. Graham’s pricing here.