What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery or an eyelid lift, can rejuvenate puffy, sagging, or tired-looking eyes by removing excess fat and skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids. The procedure can also tighten eyelid muscles and tissue. A blepharoplasty is performed to improve a patient’s peripheral vision by lifting droopy eyelids, or strictly for cosmetic reasons.
What Can A Blepharoplasty Do?
A blepharoplasty is ideal for correction of the following:
- Loose, sagging, and/or folded upper eyelids that may interfere with vision
- Puffy fat deposits in the eyelids
- Undereye bags
- Sagging lower eyelids that may show the whites of the eyes below the irises
- Excess skin in the lower eyelids
- Fine wrinkles in the lower eyelids
Eyelid surgery cannot raise the eyebrows, or treat deep wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, or crow’s feet.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Eyelid Surgery?
The best candidate for eyelid surgery is in good overall health, does not smoke, does not have serious eye conditions, and has healthy facial tissue and muscle.
A person with eye disease, diabetes, thyroid disorder, cardiovascular disease, or high blood pressure may not be a good candidate for eyelid surgery.
It is important for a patient to have realistic expectations before undergoing a blepharoplasty. Although it can enhance the appearance and improve self-confidence, it does not radically alter the look of the face.
Can I Have Eyelid Surgery If I Had PRK Or LASIK Surgery?
Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea to correct for refractive errors in the patient’s vision. These procedures have nothing to do with the eyelids or the structures controlling the eyelids.
The one requirement is that you wait at least six months after your LASIK or PRK procedure to have eyelid surgery with Dr. Daneshrad. That gives your eyes ample time to fully heal from the laser surgery.
How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Eyelid surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure requiring local anesthesia and sedation. General anesthesia may be used for anxious patients. Patients may choose to have this procedure on their upper or lower eyelids or both. A blepharoplasty can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on whether or not both the upper and lower eyelids are treated.
If the upper eyelid is being treated, an incision is typically made along the natural crease of the eyelid. Once the incision is made, fat deposits are repositioned or removed, tissue and muscles are tightened, and excess skin is removed. For the lower eyelid, an incision is usually made just below the lash line so that excess skin can be removed.
After the procedure, the incisions are closed with sutures, tissue glue, or surgical tape, and usually loosely covered with gauze.
Will My Eyelids Look The Same After Surgery?
They will look the same as they did about a decade ago because this surgery takes about that amount of time off the age of your eyes and your entire upper face. Your eyelids will look natural and will sit just as they did before, but the sagging, loose skin will be gone. Muscles will be a little tighter, and fatty areas won’t be nearly as noticeable. These surgeries don’t make you look different — they simply make you look younger, more alert, and rejuvenated.
One cool aspect of eyelid surgery with Dr. Daneshrad is that, unless you tell them, friends and co-workers won’t have any idea that you’ve had this procedure. Results are dramatic, yet at the same time subtle.
What Is Recovery From A Blepharoplasty Like?
After blepharoplasty, patients may be advised to apply lubricating drops/ointment and cold compresses to aid in healing and minimize side effects. Most patients return to work within a few days to a week, but should avoid exercise and strenuous activities for at least 2 weeks. Stitches are usually removed 3 or 4 days after the procedure. Most of the swelling and other side effects typically subside within 2 weeks. Contact lenses and eye makeup may not be worn for 2 weeks after surgery. Patients are typically advised to wear dark sunglasses outside or in bright light for 2 weeks to protect their eyes from sun and wind.
Is Recovery Painful After Eyelid Surgery?
Obviously, you’ll feel nothing during the procedure. Recovery is not overly painful, either. As mentioned above, recovery from eyelid surgery is not overly difficult for our patients. Dr. Daneshrad will prescribe pain medication, but most people feel over-the-counter medication is sufficient. After a week your stitches come out and your recovery is pretty much over. You will have some residual swelling, but the pain will have passed.
What Are The Results Of A Blepharoplasty?
Although there may be swelling and bruising around the surgical site, they will subside on their own, and the eyelids will improve in appearance for up to a year. The scars from a blepharoplasty are well-concealed and usually fade with time until they are virtually undetectable. Although the eyelids are still subject to aging, blepharoplasty produces long-lasting results.
How Soon After My Eyelid Surgery Will I See My Results?
Your results are immediate and permanent, as you would expect. But you will have some swelling for the first few days, so you won’t be able to appreciate your final results immediately. But, after a week or so, you’ll see the difference. From there, you will have some residual swelling, but this resolves pretty quickly. At that point, you’ll enjoy your new younger eyes.
How Long Will The Results From My Eyelid Surgery Last?
While the changes made in your surgery with Dr. Daneshrad are permanent, of course, they won’t stop the march of time. Your eyes will continue to age, and tissues will sag to a degree. But they will begin aging from a much younger starting point; your eyelid skin and the skin under your eyes will never sag or age to the same degree again. The excess skin removed and the tightening of the muscles involved will deliver results that last the rest of your life.
Are There Any Visible Scars After Blepharoplasty?
Dr. Daneshrad makes the incision for the upper eyelid in the natural crease. This makes it virtually invisible. For the lower eyelid, the incision is usually made just below the eyelash or sometimes it can be made within the inside of the eyelid. Neither location leaves a noticeable scar.
What Are The Risks Of Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries every year because it delivers great results and the risks are very low. Still, there are the usual risks with any surgery: excessive bleeding, poor wound healing, reaction to anesthesia, and the like. Specific to this surgery, risks involve injury to the eye muscles, difficulty closing your eyelids, and potential dry eye. Dr. Daneshrad is a board-certified otolaryngologist. This unique dual set of training, skills, and experience ensure your risks with eyelid surgery are exceedingly low.
Will My Health Insurance Cover Blepharoplasty?
Eyelid surgery is typically deemed an “elective” procedure by health insurance companies, and they will not provide coverage.
However, if your upper eyelid is sagging to the degree that it is beginning to enter your field of vision, then the procedure is deemed to be medically necessary. In these instances, insurance will provide coverage.
How Much Does Blepharoplasty Cost?
Dr. Daneshrad can perform eyelid surgery on either your upper eyelid, your lower eyelid, or on both in a single procedure. As you would assume, this creates variables in the potential costs of your surgery. During your consultation, once Dr. Daneshrad examines your eyelids and sees the extent of your needs, we can give you an exact estimate of your costs.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
For more information on blepharoplasty or to schedule your consultation today, call Dr. Daneshrad at 310.453.6500. We proudly serve patients from Santa Monica, Torrance, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas, including Brentwood, Malibu, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and Palos Verdes.