Summary. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, aims to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. Blepharoplasty cannot lift sagging eyebrows or get rid of crow's feet or dark circles.
Blepharoplasty might be an option for: Baggy or droopy upper eyelids. Excess skin of the upper eyelids that partially blocks peripheral vision. Excess skin on the lower eyelids.
If you opt for lower eyelid surgery (lower blepharoplasty), you can expect your results to last for a lifetime. If you opt for upper eyelid correction, you can expect your results to last for roughly five to seven years.
Blepharoplasty surgery has a 90-95% success rate.
Preparing for the Blepharoplasty
Persons with dry eye, diabetes, and glaucoma may not be suitable candidates for eyelid surgery. Persons with drooping and uneven eyebrows may also not make good candidates. Avoid drinking and smoking as they can interfere with the surgery outcome.
What Is the Ideal Age for Blepharoplasty? Droopy eyelids appear when you get beyond 30. This is the ideal age for blepharoplasty, though younger people can also go through it. However, most plastic surgeons recommend one to be at least 18 to undergo the procedure.
Slight Changes May Occur. For patients with hooded eyelids, a blepharoplasty can create a smoother surface area on their eyelids, which can slightly change the appearance of the eyes and make them appear less sunken.
FAQs about Brow Lift vs Blepharoplasty
In general, eyelid surgery is most effective for people with excess skin and droopy upper eyelids. Meanwhile, a brow lift works best for people with heavy, droopy eyebrows and forehead wrinkles.
The most common reason why patients undergo blepharoplasty is to treat sagging skin, puffiness, droopy or baggy eyelids, excess skin, and/or wrinkles around the eyes.
A rare complication after blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) can rob patients of something that most of us take for granted: the ability to fully close the eyes. Unfortunately, this problem, known as lagophthalmos, can make the simplest tasks like sleeping or showering extremely difficult.
Yes. Double eyelid surgery (upper and lower blepharoplasty) can make your eyes look bigger by excising excess skin around the eyes and lifting sagging skin.
Not everyone is a good candidate for blepharoplasty, but there are other ways to improve the appearance of hooded eyes, including: Botox injections can help lift the eyebrow, improving the appearance of hooded eyes. Dermal fillers can help lift the eyebrow and tighten the skin around the eye.
You should be in good health and a non-smoker. The surgery is worth it for people who want to look younger and better rested in and around the eyes. The results are subtle but dramatic, and recovery is minor with little pain reported.
This is known as a lateral canthopexy. The problem is that as the stitch loosens it can cause the eye to round a bit and look like a dog. This can also lead to functional problems of dry eye. Conversely, the canthopexy can be overtightened accidentally or in order to compensate for perceived relaxation over time.
A minimum 12 degree OR 30 percent loss of upper field of vision with upper lid skin and/ or upper lid margin in repose and elevated (by taping of the lid) to demonstrate potential correction by the proposed procedure or procedures is required.
Upper Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
Sinno often recommend combining a brow lift with an upper blepharoplasty to correct drooping above the eyes. Upper blepharoplasty incisions are hidden along natural creases in the eyelid, leaving little to no noticeable scarring.
Skin and muscle tissue could be in the process of mending, which will take time and may result in sensations of tightness while recovery continues. In rare cases, the poor formation of scar tissue from the eyelid surgery may result in problems opening or closing the eyelids.
There is no upper age window for blepharoplasty. Patients in good health can get eyelid surgery even in their 60s, 70s, or 80s.
Causes of leftover eyelid fat
Reduction of the lateral fat pad of the lower eyelid can be more technically challenging during blepharoplasty when the incision is made behind the eyelid (transconjunctival). This is one reason that leftover fat pouches are more common at the outer corner of the lower eyelids.
Eyelid surgery is among the least painful cosmetic procedures. Aside from minimal discomfort on the day, you'll have a quick recovery and see the results swiftly. So the procedure isn't very painful, but you may have other questions.
By removing excess fat and skin and restructuring the tissues around the eyes, blepharoplasty creates a natural, rejuvenated appearance, erasing five to ten years without changing the shape or overall character of your face.
Upper-eyelid surgery can last anywhere from 5 to 7 years to an entire lifetime, while lower-eyelid surgery rarely needs to be done more than once.
The vast majority of people who have had a blepharoplasty are fully satisfied with their results. Eyelid surgery can make you look years younger after a single procedure, boosting your self-esteem. While we can't fully reverse the effects of aging, blepharoplasty can immediately transform your face.