What Does an Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty) Entail?

An eyelid lift is optimal for someone with excessive and wrinkly skin on the upper or lower eyelids. Excessive overhanging eyelid skin is usually due to a combination of loss of skin elasticity with aging, prominence of the fat pads around the eyes, and settling of the eyebrows. An eyelid lift can be used to eliminate the sagging and puffy skin around the eyes which can give off a tired and aged impression. The outcome is a youthful and well rested appearance. Additional benefits include a widened range of vision as often the excessive skin causes a partial impediment to sight lines.

As the upper eyelid skin is the thinnest skin in the body, the incision, which hides in the eyelid crease, heals in a matter of days. On occasion, a brow lift may be required to raise the brows and accentuate the appearance of the eyes. During a consultation, Dr. Zimmerman performs a careful analysis of the facial anatomy along with a detailed discussion of the treatment options and expected outcomes from surgery.

There are various surgical approaches to the lower eyelids depending upon ones anatomy and the cause of their eyelid complaints. An incision directly beneath the lower eyelashes (subciliary incision) can be used to excise excess skin and fat and achieve a smoother more youthful appearance. If a preponderance of fat exists, without skin laxity, the incision may be hidden within the lower eyelid (Transconjunctival approach). Another approach to moderately wrinkled lower eyelid skin in individuals who do not have excess fat or bags beneath their eyes, is to achieve smoother skin using a technique of laser skin resurfacing.

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What is the recovery like?

An eyelid lift is an outpatient procedure with reasonable recovery time, generally light desk work can be resumed within 2-3 days. There is some bruising that develops as a normal step in the healing process. The bruising is often concealed by eye shadow and it is not uncommon to return to work within 7-10 days of surgery. Eyelid surgery offers a dramatic way of enabling you to look as young as you feel.