What You Need to Know About Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, otherwise known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that can deliver results. The natural aging process often causes eyelids to droop, leading to sagging of the eyelids that can impact the field of vision and lead to a tired appearance. 

Undergoing an eyelid lift can reverse the impact of drooping eyelids, resulting in a more youthful appearance that lasts. 

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to lift sagging eyelids or correct under eye bags. It can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids in separate operations or simultaneously. The surgery aims to reduce sagging or eliminate puffiness under the eyes. 

Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

Upper eyelid surgery candidates have visible droopiness of the skin above the eyes. They may notice that their eyelids have begun to sag over time. In some cases, fat bulges will appear near the inner eye. These may be removed during upper eyelid surgery.

Those seeking lower eyelid surgery may notice puffiness directly under the eyes, often caused by bulging fat pads in the area. Puffiness may be hereditary or caused by aging. The skin may also have a crepey texture or increased fine lines.

What Are the Benefits of an Eyelid Lift?

There are several advantages to undergoing an eyelid lift. A few include:

Appearing Less Tired

Drooping eyelids can lead to a tired-looking appearance, even for those who regularly get eight hours of sleep each night. Blepharoplasty can reduce eyelid sagging and puffiness under the eyes, resulting in a more rested appearance. Patients often comment on how much more alert they appear.

Restore the Natural Eyelid Shape

No one enjoys aging, but it is a natural process that affects us all in different ways. Eyelids often begin to droop due to collagen and skin elasticity reduction. 

Blepharoplasty can turn back the hands of time, restoring the eyelid appearance you had when you were younger. Eyelid surgery is the only proven way of eliminating sagging and puffiness under the eyes; creams and serums can assist, but they have limitations.

Improved Vision

Depending on the severity of sagging, patients may experience a limited field of vision. Loss of vision can be problematic, especially when performing activities that require good eyesight, such as driving. You may not notice how much your vision has been compromised by sagging eyelids until experiencing the results of the surgery.

May Be Combined with Other Procedures

If you’re seeing the signs of drooping eyelids, you may want to take care of other areas on the face as well. A blepharoplasty can be combined with numerous other procedures to obtain your desired results. Simply explain what you are seeking to achieve, and we can recommend some options.

Long-Term Results

While non-surgical procedures may be able to give you some relief for drooping eyelids, the results won’t last longer than a year. Blepharoplasty is different. When you undergo eyelid surgery, your results could last as long as a decade before a maintenance treatment is required.

Short Procedure

An eyelid lift will take less than an hour to perform. It is an outpatient procedure, so you will be able to return home after a brief recovery time in our office. There is no need to stay overnight.

What Can I Expect During a Blepharoplasty?

Before undergoing a blepharoplasty, you will go through a thorough consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. 

Both Dr. Kim and Dr. Wingate are Diplomat members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. You can feel confident that they have the knowledge and skills needed to ensure you have a good experience when undergoing eyelid surgery.

During the consultation, you’ll be asked for your medical history and a list of any medications you are taking. Your medical history will help us determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for blepharoplasty. 

We will also thoroughly examine your eyelids to determine the most appropriate surgical technique to meet your goals. If you have questions about the procedure, we will be happy to answer them.

On the day of your surgery, you’ll receive local anesthesia to numb the area. Markings will be made on the skin to determine the appropriate amount to remove. During the surgery, a small incision will be made in the crease of your eyelid to remove the excess skin. 

For those undergoing lower eyelid surgery, the incision will be made behind the lower lash line or on the back of the eyelid. The surgery will be performed using either a scalpel or a cutting laser. 

In some cases, we may address the supporting muscles of the eyelid. This will involve tightening them to prevent future drooping. The entire procedure should take less than an hour, but if you’re having both lower and upper eyelid surgery, it may take a little longer. 

After a brief recovery period, you’ll be able to return home. We will provide you with a complete set of aftercare instructions to enhance the recovery process. Of course, if questions arise, you may call us for assistance. During your appointment, we will discuss your expected recovery time and any complications to look out for.

Are You Ready to Try Blepharoplasty?

If you’d like to find out whether eyelid surgery is right for you, contact Legacy Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics in Exton, Pennsylvania, located just outside Philadelphia. We will schedule a consultation to discuss the procedure and determine whether you are a good candidate. To learn more, call us today!