Sagging lower eyelids and drooping upper eyelids can lead to a tired or aged appearance as the eyelids lose elasticity and firmness. For some people, this even leads to impaired vision.
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to alter or modify the eyelid area and is one of the most common facial plastic surgery procedures. It involves reshaping the skin, muscle and fat around the eyes to create smoother and more lifted eyelids. The goal of blepharoplasty is to create a more youthful appearance while cosmetically tightening sagging skin to improve the field of vision.
Your eyes look refreshed and younger. By lifting the drooping eyelids, the eyes can appear more open and the fine wrinkles around the eyes can be smoothed out.
Once healed, the scars are barely visible because they are hidden in the natural skin lines.
Every eye shape is different and so should an eyelid correction. Blepharoplasty is designed to cosmetically enhance your unique appearance. The eyes are often the first feature that stands out on a person's face, and this surgery is customized specifically for you.
When your eyes look better and brighter, you can feel more confident in your everyday life. When you have less stress about your appearance, you can feel more comfortable in your daily activities at work, at school and at home.
There are two main areas in which blepharoplasty is performed. They can be performed in conjunction with each other or as a single procedure if required.
Upper blepharoplasty is performed on the upper eyelid and involves removing the excess skin or tissue of the upper eyelid, giving the eye a "heavy" appearance.
Lower blepharoplasty targets loose skin, noticeable wrinkles and excess fat of the lower eyelids. Patients who suffer from these problems often appear tired, even if they are not, or older than they really are.
As we age, the shape of our face and the elasticity of our skin can change. One of the earliest signs in aging patients is sagging eyelids. This can occur on the upper or lower eyelids and can contribute to a tired, aged appearance that is difficult to correct even with cosmetic products. If you are bothered by aging eyelids and would like to correct them surgically, you may be good candidates for blepharoplasty.
When you come in for your blepharoplasty, PD Dr. Dr. Safi, as a facial plastic surgeon, will first analyze your eyelids and perform an under-eye examination to make a professional recommendation. Blepharoplasty can be performed under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation for your comfort. It involves an incision along the natural folds of the upper eyelids and just below the lash line of the lower eyelids.
PD Dr. Dr. Safi offers scarless eyelid surgery to treat the bulge under the eyes. Stitches are usually removed 5-7 days after surgery. Once healed, most patients have no visible scars and can easily hide bruising or incisions during their recovery.
For patients undergoing double eyelid surgery, the incision or approach may vary slightly. You can discuss all the details with PD Dr. Dr. Safi during your blepharoplasty consultation in Bellevue to ensure you are fully prepared and understand the blepharoplasty approach.
To improve the eyelids or the eye area, PD Dr. Dr. Safi removes fatty tissue or excess skin. This procedure usually takes about an hour. If you wish to combine other procedures such as brow lift or cheek lift to improve the appearance of the eyelid-cheek junction, these additional procedures may take a few more hours. It is important to remember that the surgical approach and results are customized for each individual.
Combination of blepharoplasty with other cosmetic procedures
It is common to combine blepharoplasty with other operations such as a forehead or brow lift. A sagging forehead or drooping eyebrows can also contribute to the appearance of advanced facial aging. In these cases, it may be more beneficial to lift both the brows and the eyelids to achieve a more natural and harmonious rejuvenation of the upper face.
There are many different techniques to lift the brows, and each technique has its indications depending on your aging process and anatomy. There are advantages to having multiple procedures performed at the same time, including the one-time sedation and the need for a recovery period. During your on-site consultation, we can recommend the best options for effective upper facial rejuvenation.
Some people also notice an unwanted groove between the lower eyelids and cheek as they age. Those who are stressed by this appearance of sagging midface, without jowls, lower face or neck sagging, may benefit from an isolated cheek lift. This can be done through the same incision that was made for the lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
A cheek implant procedure, which can be performed alone or in combination with a lower eyelid blepharoplasty, is another good option to improve the lower eyelid cheek area as well as the curvature of the face. This is especially important for those who have flat or sunken cheeks. The implants are typically placed through an incision in the mouth to minimize visible facial scarring.
Regeneration after blepharoplasty
You can expect swelling and bruising for one to two weeks after your eyelid surgery. If you normally wear contact lenses, we recommend that you wear glasses instead for the first week. If stitches are present, they are usually removed one week after the operation. You will be prescribed medication to take to relieve discomfort and swelling, as well as eye drops to prevent your eyes from becoming dry or itchy.
It is important to keep your head elevated during the recovery period and ice the area as needed. Your recovery is variable and is based on the extent of your procedure. In general, most people feel comfortable returning to work and public activities within one to two weeks.
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