How Can Eyelid Surgery Help Improve My Appearance?

Aging can cause the eyes to droop and develop bags and wrinkling that can contribute to an older, tired appearance. Sometimes, drooping in the upper eyelids can even impair vision. Cosmetic surgery to the upper eyelids, or upper blepharoplasty, can tighten and reshape the contours of the eye, restructuring the upper eyelids to remove drooping, bagging skin and fatty tissue.

In the lower eyelids, bags and wrinkles can develop, also making you look older than you are. These can also be corrected through surgery to the lower eyelid, or lower blepharoplasty. In quad blepharoplasty, both the upper and lower eyelids are refined and contoured.

Upper blepharoplasty can help correct:

  • Sagging or drooping areas in the upper eyelid
  • Areas above the upper eye that obscure the natural fold of the eyelid and sometimes even impair vision
  • Puffy skin or excess fat in the upper eyelid

Lower blepharoplasty can correct:

  • Fine lines and wrinkles below the eye
  • Loose, pouchy bags under the eyes

Combining both lower and upper eyelid surgery procedures, quad blepharoplasty can address all these concerns.

Am I A Candidate For Eyelid Surgery?

Anyone concerned about any aesthetic appearance or functionality regarding their eyelids is a possible candidate for eyelid surgery. Both men and women have sought out blepharoplasty to correct issues with the structure of their eyelids. The majority of people who choose eyelid surgery are over 35, but younger patients have also benefited from these procedures. While many of the conditions that can bring about droopiness in the eyelids come about due to aging, they can also affect younger people.

Overall, if you are unhappy with the look of your eyes, and want to reap benefits like a brighter, more youthful look, eyelid surgery can be of help to you.

How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

Eyelid surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia and sedation, unless your cosmetic surgeon recommends general anesthesia or you have a preference for it. Generally, blepharoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis.

To restructure and adjust the contours of the eyelids, incisions are made in the upper crease of the eyelid, or along the lash line of the lower eyelid, or both if upper and lower eyelids are to be treated. Placing the incisions in these areas ensures the scars will be virtually invisible after healing.

What Is Involved In Recovery From Eyelid Surgery?

Your plastic surgeon will provide you with explicit instructions on how to care for your eyes after surgery. While instructions will be personalized for your specific situation, in general you’ll need to keep cold compresses on your eyes for at least seventy-two hours to minimize swelling. Any remaining swelling should subside in about a week. Sutures are usually removed within five to seven days.

Other precautions include avoiding makeup until your plastic surgeon says it is all right, and staying out of the sun for several months post-operatively to prevent permanent bruising.

Complications are rare in eyelid surgery, and are usually minor, including:

  • Changes in vision
  • Dry eyes
  • Infection

Any unusual post-operative symptoms should be brought to your plastic surgeon’s attention immediately.

If you are interested in learning more about eyelid surgery in the Kansas City or Lee’s Summit, Missouri area, please contact our eyelid surgery office to talk to Dr. Matt Chhatre at Summit Plastic Surgery and Med Spa to schedule an initial eyelid surgery consultation with Dr. Chhatre.