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| Eyelid Surgery: At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Preparation | None Required |
| Procedure | For the upper eye, incisions are made in the crease above the eye and a thin crescent off excess skin and muscle is taken out. For fatty deposit removal under the eyes, a small incision is made just inside the lower eyelid and the fat is taken out. |
| Length of Procedure | Approximately one hour |
| Recovery or Downtime | Keep head elevated to reduce swelling and bruising, as well as using cold compresses. Antibiotic ointment will be prescribed as well. |
| Pain | Mild discomfort; some swelling at the treatment area |
| Results | More visible, brighter, youthful eyes |
Muscles naturally weaken as the human body ages and those muscles that make up the eyelids are no exception. Over time, a noticeable drooping effect commonly occurs around the eyes as muscle, skin, and fat succumb to the normal pull of gravity. While individuals with this condition are often unhappy with the physical appearance of this change, it can also be a cause for concern when weakened eyelids begin to interfere with peripheral lines of vision. A frequently recommended solution for cosmetically altering droopy eyelid is a procedure known as blepharoplasty, which is often referred to as an eyelid lift.
Droopy eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a common cosmetic procedure for those looking to keep or regain their youthful appearance. Blepharoplasty takes out excess skin and fat, corrects sagging eyelids, reduces fatty pouches below the eyes, and takes out excess skin from the upper eyelids. Often, an eyebrow lift is performed at the same time as a facelift or laser skin resurfacing.
Prior to undergoing the procedure, a patient will undergo a full medical exam including an eye exam to determine overall health. Photographs are taken of the eyes before the procedure to aid in technique and planning as well as provide a foundation from which to compare long-term results.
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed in the comfort of the attending physician’s office with the use of a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area.
Once a patient is comfortable, the physician will make a small incision along the fold of the eyelid and carefully remove a predetermined amount of muscle tissue, fat and skin as needed.
The incision is then closed with fine sutures. Patients who are having the procedure done on both the upper and lower lid will have the upper lid treated first followed by an incision just inside the lower lid utilizing the same technique.
Patients that elect to undergo blepharoplasty experience the benefit of being able to return home shortly after the procedure has been completed. At most, patients report minimal side effects associated with this treatment which may include minimal swelling, bruising and puffiness at the incision point alongside the potential for temporarily blurry or watery eyes. To learn about possible complications, click here.
Many of these symptoms are easily treated with over-the-counter pain medications and most physicians recommend applying a cold compress to the eyes for about 10-minutes daily for a week or two following the procedure. Incision scars fade over time and are often reduced in appearance by their placement within the crease of the eyelid.
Many patients see immediate and lasting results after undergoing blepharoplasty while those with more severe drooping eyelid may prefer to undergo the treatment multiple times to achieve the desired results. As an added benefit to improved vision, the lifting of the eyelids generally leads to a more youthful appearance for many patients.
Prospective patients considering blepharoplasty to improve the lift of eyelids are encouraged to schedule a no-cost consultation at our Michigan center for cosmetic surgery, the Skin and Vein Center. It’s important that patients check with their insurance providers prior to undergoing treatment as the cost of blepharoplasty that improves an individual’s vision may potentially be covered.
If you’re interested in Blepharoplasty eyelid surgery in Michigan, call the Skin and Vein Center today!
*Individual Results May Vary
*Individual Results May Vary