Patients considering eyelid surgery often start off noticing a tired look that doesn’t seem to go away. Even after a vacation, long weekend, or a good night’s sleep, they see a “tired” person in the mirror. Unfortunately, as people age muscles and skin around the eyes stretches, and fat can accumulate in pockets creating a tired or stressed appearance. Looking tired is frequently associated with aging, not being “sharp,” or not being “on your game.” Patients seeking eyelid surgery often feel young, vibrant, and engaged and want their eyes to match the youthfulness they feel inside. Men and women often consider eyelid surgery as a way to maintain a competitive edge either in business or social situations.

Our West Palm Beach plastic surgeon utilizes a conservative approach to achieve the most subtle, natural-looking results possible. Being conservative ensures that our patients don’t have a “pop-eyed” look that can occur when surgeons are overly aggressive and remove too much of the lid. Read on to learn more about eyelid surgery at Pinsky Plastic Surgery.

What Is an Eyelid Lift?
Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
Types of Eyelid Surgery
Preparing For Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid Lift Recovery

What Is an Eyelid Lift?

Eyelid surgery, also known as “blepharoplasty” or an “eyelid lift,” is a procedure designed to create a more youthful, refreshed appearance by removing or relocating excess fat, muscle, and skin from the upper and lower eyelids. Most patients seeking eyelid surgery are 35 years of age or older. However, patients occasionally need correction of a hereditary predisposition or as a result of environmental effects or injury.

What Are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery can provide several benefits, including:

Removal excess skin on the upper and/or lower lids
Reduction of bagginess, puffiness, and sagging skin
Smoothing and firming of the skin of the upper and/or lower eyelids
Pontential improvement of vision for patients affected by visual obstruction caused by sagging skin over the eyes
Typically, scarring from the procedure is very minimal and virtually invisible to others
Long-lasting results

Though eyelid surgery can often produce a rejuvenated appearance, it’s not intended to remove wrinkles, eliminate dark shadows, or lift sagging eyebrows. Many patients opt for additional treatments, such as facelift or brow/forehead lift, in conjunction with eyelid surgery for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Patient Results

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What Are the Different Types of Eyelid Surgery?

The three types of eyelid surgery procedures treat different areas of concern, and there is more than one approach for each:

Upper eyelid surgery: Aligning with the natural crease of your eyelid, a small incision is made and skin is separated from muscle and fatty tissues. Excess fat is removed and sagging skin and muscle trimmed, if necessary, before closing the incision with very fine sutures. Because the incision is typically placed in the natural crease of the eyelid, scars are usually barely noticeable.

Lower eyelid surgery: An incision is made below the lashes on the lower eyelid, which is well hidden by the smile creases of your eye. The skin is separated from the muscle and fatty tissue and excess skin is removed. Some fat may be relocated to fill the deep channel in the tear trough and depression that exists below the lower eyelids. The incisions are generally closed with dissolvable sutures.

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty: Deep fat pockets under the eye, commonly called bags, can occur without developing excess skin. In this case, skin does not need to be removed, and the incision is made inside the lower eyelid. This technique can completely avoid visible scars.

A consultation will determine which eyelid procedures are most suited to your eyelids and your aesthetic goals.

How Should I Prepare for Eyelid Surgery?

During the initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss which procedures are best suited to achieve your goals. Your consultation should be a comfortable exchange where you speak freely, ask questions, and clearly describe your desired outcome. The doctor will examine you and ask questions related to goals, desired outcomes, and medical and surgical history. Prior to surgery, patients will be asked to:

Avoid ibuprofen or aspirin for at least two weeks
Avoid consuming alcohol for at least two weeks
Abstain from smoking for at least six weeks
Avoid taking vitamins and herbs for two weeks
Limit salt intake
Remain hydrated
Avoid sunbathing, facials, steaming, masks, and other skin irritants for one week

Our office will provide complete instructions for follow-up care and any necessary prescriptions before surgery.

What Can I Expect in My Eyelid Lift Recovery?

Some temporary bruising and swelling at the corner of the eyelids is to be expected, and medication will be provided to manage discomfort. Patients should keep their head elevated for several days following surgery while applying cold compresses or small ice packs. Stitches are removed approximately five to seven days after surgery. Bruising may last from two weeks to a month; however, this varies from person to person. In the event small whiteheads appear, your surgeon can clear them with a very fine needle. Eyes must be cleaned regularly, and eye drops and ointment will be used to keep the eyes moist. Contact lenses can be worn one to two weeks after surgery or when comfortable, and makeup may be applied approximately one week after the procedure.

Most patients can return to work in seven to ten days, though they should plan to take it easy for the first week post-surgery. Physical exertion and heavy lifting are best avoided for several weeks after eyelid surgery. Patients awakening from blepharoplasty may experience dry, tight, or itchy eyes or excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and even temporary changes in eyesight (blurry vision). This is normal. The level of discomfort varies by individual; however, if you experience any severe or sudden pain, notify us immediately. *Optimal results are often noticeable several weeks after surgery and are typically long-lasting.

*Individual Results May Vary

How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?

At Pinsky Plastic Surgery, the cost of blepharoplasty vary based on each patient’s needs and the final price of surgery is contingent upon a number of factors, including:

Techniques utilized
The extent of fat, skin, and tissue being reduced or removed
Additional procedures incorporated (such as facelift or brow/forehead lift)
Anesthesiology costs
Postoperative care

Following your initial consultation, Dr. Pinsky will provide you with a personalized quote for your surgery. Meanwhile, please explore our plastic surgery financing options, which include programs through PatientFi^{^®}, CareCredit^{^®}, and ALPHAEON^{^®} CREDIT to help eligible patients pay for their care through installments. A member of our dedicated team will gladly answer any of your financial questions.

For more information about blepharoplasty or our other advanced cosmetic procedures, feel free to contact Pinsky Plastic Surgery today.