Eyelid Lift Pensacola, FL
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Drooping eyelids tend to make patients look older than they are. Usually done in the office, an upper eyelid blepharoplasty is very common with both women and men. Often times, patients find that this relatively simple surgery is all they need to take years off the look of their face.
Eyelid Lift
Typical Timing/Age
For patients between the ages of 51 and 64 years old, blepharoplasty was the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedure.*
Problem
Excess upper eyelid skin, atrophy of tissue around the eye and deflation of the upper eyelid sulcus.
Procedure
Excess upper eyelid skin is removed from the upper eyelid leaving a scar hidden in the upper eyelid crease. The scar is generally not visible when the eyes are open. Moreover, thin skin under minimal tension creates the finest scars. Since eyelid skin is the thinnest in the body and will be under minimal tension – scars after blepharoplasty are usually inconspicuous. Excess orbital fat may or may not be removed. Historically, superior orbital fat was aggressively removed during an upper eyelid blepharoplasty; however, this often left patients looking “hollowed out” and “cadaveric.” For that reason, contemporary techniques are more judicious with orbital fat removal. Some patients may benefit from fat grafting, the addition of fat to the orbital rim region to treat an atrophic, “hollowed out” appearance. If fat grafting is not performed, the procedure typically takes approximately 1 hour.
Goal
To improve the function and appearance of the eyes by removing excess upper eyelid skin.
Facility
Office/Clinic, Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Patients should wait at least 6 months after LASIK vision surgery. Patients should also have any dry eye symptoms treated prior to undergoing elective cosmetic eyelid surgery.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia in the office/clinic. Or if you prefer we can also perform the procedure under IV sedation at a Surgery Center or Hospital; or general anesthesia at a surgery center or hospital.
Recovery
Hospital stay
Most patients go home after surgery and do not require a night in the hospital.
Positioning
After a blepharoplasty you should sleep with your head elevated above your heart for a few days to help reduce the swelling.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to drive or care for others.
Walking
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
You may shower immediately following surgery.
Exercise
1 week for light exercise. 2 weeks for regular exercise.
Sex
Wait 1 week because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.
Work
You may be bruised for 1-2 weeks. If you have a desk job you can return to work as soon as you are comfortable doing so. Most people take 1-2 weeks off of work.
Swelling
Usually greatest around 3 days after surgery from which time it starts to subside. Some patients remain a little swollen for 2 months.
Bruising
Usually subsides by 1 week.
Follow-up Appointments
1-3 days after surgery, 7-10 days, 3 weeks, 6 months, 1 year.
Risks & Complications
Dry eyes, Lagophthalmos (inability to fully close your eye), asymmetry, bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling, need for revision, complications related to anesthesia.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque
LOWER EYELID BLEPHAROPLASTY (EYELID LIFT)
Typical Timing/Age
For patients between the ages of 51 and 64 years old, blepharoplasty was the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedure in 2013.*
Problem
The primary deformity in most patients seeking lower eyelid blepharoplasty is the presence of a “tear trough” or “orbital-malar sulcus” which creates the appearance of lower eyelid bags and a tired appearance. This is usually caused by a ligament that tethers the skin to the bone of the inferior orbital rim (see image below). Skin laxity, wrinkles and pigment changes are other reasons patients seek lower eyelid rejuvenation.
Procedure
The “tear trough” or “orbital-malar sulcus” is usually treated by lysing (disrupting) the orbital-malar (tear-trough) ligament and draping the orbital fat down into that area to smooth out the sulcus. This technique “takes” from the fullness above and “gives” to the emptiness below. This may be done through an incision inside your lower eyelid or through an incision on your lower eyelid millimeters below your eyelashes. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty takes approximately 2 hours. Some less severe “tear trough” or “orbital-malar” creases can be temporarily masked with dermal fillers.
Goal
To improve the appearance of the eyes by effacing the orbital-malar sulcus and smoothing out the lower eyelid skin.
Facility
Office, Surgery Center or Hospital
Preparation
Patients should wait at least 6 months after LASIK vision surgery. Patients should also have any dry eye symptoms treated prior to undergoing elective cosmetic eyelid surgery.
Anesthesia
IV sedation and local anesthesia in a surgery center or hospital; or general anesthesia in a surgery center or hospital. If only excess skin is being addressed, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia in the office.
Recovery
Hospital stay
Most patients go home after surgery and do not require a night in the hospital.
Positioning
After a blepharoplasty you should sleep with your head elevated above your heart for a few days to help reduce the swelling.
Assistance
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to drive or care for others.
Walking
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
You may shower immediately following surgery.
Exercise
1 week for light exercise. 2 weeks for regular exercise.
Sex
Wait 1 week because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.
Work
You may be bruised for 1-2 weeks. If you have a desk job you can return to work as soon as you are comfortable doing so. Most people take 1-2 weeks off of work.
Swelling
Usually greatest around 3 days after surgery from which time it starts to subside. Some patients remain a little swollen for 2 months.
Bruising
Usually subsides by 1 week.
Follow-up Appointments
1-3 days after surgery, 7-10 days, 3 weeks, 6 months, 1 year.
Risks & Complications
Lower eyelid malposition, dry eyes, chemosis, asymmetry, bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling, need for revision, complications related to anesthesia.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque
*Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank: Statistics 2013. (2014). Aesthetic Surgery Journal / the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 34(1 suppl), 1S-22S.doi:10.1177/1090820X14542571
