Our eyes are often the first feature people notice and engage with. Eyes that are tired or aged in appearance will often portray a different attitude than the one we want to express. This is not always due to chronological age and can simply be a symptom of heredity and anatomy. A blepharoplasty (commonly referred to as an eye lift) is a facial surgical procedure that contours the skin and fat of the upper eyelids and smooths and tightens the area around the lower eyelids.
What is a Blepharoplasty?
A blepharoplasty, also known as an eyelid lift or eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure that is designed to remove excess skin, tissue, muscle, and fat around the upper and/or lower eyelids restoring the fine, natural contours of this delicate area. This heaviness or puffiness of the upper and/or lower lids is often the result of genetics, age, or lifestyle and can be one of the first areas of the body to truly age one’s appearance.
- Upper Blepharoplasty
- An upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin, fat, and tissue on the upper lids that leads to a heavy or drooping appearance of the eyes interferes with your ability to wear eye makeup, and can also interrupt your field of vision. The incisions for an upper blepharoplasty rest in the natural crease of your upper lids, so even postoperatively these incisions, that typically heal quite nicely, should be very well hidden.
- Lower Blepharoplasty
- A lower blepharoplasty smooths bags and/or hollows underneath the eyes by way of removing or redistributing fat around the lower eyelids and tightening and removing any excess skin if necessary. For a lower blepharoplasty, one of two incision types can be utilized, subciliary or transconjunctival, depending upon whether or not excess skin is to be removed. A transconjunctival incision is an incision on the inside of the lower lid that is often ideal for those patients who simply have some excess fat, or hypertrophy of these lower lid fat pads, requiring removal or redistribution. These incisions are technically ‘internal’ and therefore there is no risk for any visible or external scarring, does not require the use of sutures to close, and does not allow for excess skin removal. A subciliary incision, also commonly referred to as a ‘lash line’ incision, is one that rests just below the lower lash line. This incision allows for removal and redistribution of the fat around the lower lids but also permits excess skin in this region to be removed.
While an upper and lower blepharoplasty can be performed independently of one another, performing a blepharoplasty to both the upper and lower eyelids together is the most common and complete eyelid rejuvenation surgery.
Who are the Best Candidates for a Blepharoplasty?
An ideal candidate for a blepharoplasty surgery is a patient who is unhappy with the cosmetic appearance of their eyes, is in good overall medical health, and who is a non-smoker. Candidates are typically those patients looking to address:
- Heavy or tired appearing eyes
- Hooding of the upper eyelids
- Puffiness of the upper and/or lower eyes
- Bags of the under eyes
- Excess skin of the lower eyelids
What to Expect?
A more rested, youthful appearance and a permanent correction to heavy, aged, or tired appearing eyes is the ultimate goal of this very popular and very common cosmetic plastic surgery procedure.
Most commonly performed as an outpatient procedure, a blepharoplasty is a fairly quick surgical procedure with long-lasting benefits. While swelling and bruising following a blepharoplasty are common and to be expected, every effort is made to ensure that recovery is both quick and seamless. We do recommend practicing head elevation, even while sleeping, for the first week or so after surgery and also encourage the use of cold compresses for the first 24 hours. Most patients will take roughly 5-7 days off from work following their eyelid lift, but our patients are generally up and about within 24 hours with sunglasses on! We do ask that patients avoid exercising, heavy lifting, and any activities that can cause facial strain or trauma for the first 4 weeks after surgery, but normal daily activities are not typically interrupted and as with most surgical procedures final results are seen once all postoperative swelling has subsided.
Schedule a Blepharoplasty Consultation Today
Dr. Christine Blaine is a female Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with offices in Huntington, Staten Island, and New York, New York. Dr. Blaine looks forward to discussing your aesthetic goals and concerns with you during your consultation and ensuring you are comfortable with your treatment plan. Please contact us today to learn more about the benefits of a blepharoplasty procedure and to schedule your consultation!
