Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, as it’s officially known in cosmetic surgery, is used to enhance the appearance of the eyelids. Dr. Jason Swerdloff, our Board-Certified facial plastic surgeon at Bay Dermatology in Tampa, is trained in blepharoplasty for a range of cosmetic needs. Here, we’ll review the basics of eyelid surgery as a cosmetic procedure.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a form of cosmetic surgery that may be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery may be used to benefit the appearance of the face or to address functional issues with the eyelids.
Common cosmetic eyelid concerns include:
- Skin sagging that results in eyelid folds or changes the configuration of the upper eyelid
- In severe cases, this may cause vision impairment
- Under-eye bags
- Wrinkles in the lower eyelid
- Puffy eyelids resulting from stored fat
- Sagging of the skin underneath the eyelids, which may cause white underneath the iris to be visible
- Excess skin in the eyelids
What Are the Benefits of Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty may provide multiple benefits for individuals with aesthetic or functional concerns about their eyelids. Key benefits include:
- Restore skin’s youthful appearance by addressing sagging skin
- Fix vision concerns relating to sagging eyelids, such as impaired peripheral vision
- Give the eyes an awake, alert appearance
- Create symmetry between the two eyes
- Lessen sagging skin in the eye area resulting from aging skin
What Can I Expect From Eyelid Surgery?
Before you set a date for your blepharoplasty, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with an experienced cosmetic surgeon with experience in eye procedures, such as Dr. Swerdloff at Bay Dermatology. He will perform a medical evaluation and discuss your cosmetic goals. The doctor will let you know whether you’re a good candidate for blepharoplasty and advise you of potential risks. You’ll also likely have a physical and vision exam, and photos of your eyelids will be taken to help plan the procedure.
Before blepharoplasty, you’ll be required to stop taking certain medications and stop smoking. Your doctor will inform you of all precautions that must be taken prior to surgery to minimize bleeding and ensure the best possible success for the procedure.
An eyelid lift will be performed in your surgeon’s office, a hospital, or a surgical facility. This procedure is typically done under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Skin glue or sutures will be used to close the incisions, and sutures can typically be removed after one week.
To reduce discomfort after eyelid surgery, you may be recommended to use medication, cold therapy, and creams or ointments. It’s essential to wear dark sunglasses outside after eyelid surgery to prevent skin irritation from sun exposure.
Typically, swelling and bruising from blepharoplasty will go down within two weeks or less. At this time patients can resume their regular schedules.
Dr. Swerdloff at Bay Dermatology in Tampa is an expert in cosmetic surgery of the eyes, including blepharoplasty. To learn more about eyelid surgery and how it make work for you, contact us today to schedule an appointment.