Your eyelids are a lot more expressive than you think: They show when you’re surprised, sleepy, alert, sad — and with an occasional wink, they can even help you flirt. But if your eyelids droop and sag, they can quickly age you, and they may even cause problems with vision, eye health, and comfort. The good news: Eyelid surgery can help.
Also called blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper lids and the lower lids. At Vida Bela Plastic Surgery, Chelsea Snider, MD, uses a custom approach to eyelid problems, helping patients restore normal appearance and function of their lids. Here’s how she can help you.
Blepharoplasty basics
The basics of upper and lower lid blepharoplasty are similar: Dr. Snider uses very tiny incisions to access and remove excess fat and skin to reduce drooping and sagging. Depending on what’s causing your eyelid issues, she may use other techniques to tighten up muscles and restore the underlying tissues that support normal lid shape, position, and function.
Incisions are tiny, and Dr. Snider uses careful placement to keep them pretty much invisible. In upper lid surgery, incisions typically can be placed in the eyelid crease, while for lower eyelids, incisions are often placed on the inner surface of the lid or near the lash line.
After surgery, you may have some swelling and bruising for the first week or two, and your eyes may feel dry or gritty temporarily during the initial stage of healing. Using cool compresses can help reduce swelling, along with keeping your head elevated. You’ll also need to avoid strenuous activity during this stage.
You may be prescribed cream or ointment to apply in the very early stages of healing to prevent infection. You’ll also need to avoid eye makeup, and if you wear contacts, you’ll need to wear glasses instead for the first few days postoperatively. Most people resume their normal activities in about 7-10 days.
Benefits of blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure, and it can offer dramatic improvements, including these five major benefits.
#1: You’ll look less tired
Few things make you look more tired or worn out than droopy upper lids or saggy, baggy lower lids. Eyelid surgery tightens and tones your lids so you look more rested, refreshed, and alert.
#2: You’ll look younger
Eyelid sagging and drooping is a part of aging for pretty much everyone, and eventually, no amount of clever highlighting can hide it. Fortunately, blepharoplasty can help by restoring your eyelids to their more youthful positions and helping your whole face look more youthful.
#3: You can finally get rid of under-eye bags
Under-eye bags are typically a combination of loose skin and deposits of fatty tissue. Blepharoplasty addresses both issues, tightening up sagging lower lids for a more attractive appearance.
#4: Your vision may improve
When upper lid sagging is severe, it can interfere with your field of vision. Blepharoplasty removes extra skin while also improving underlying structures that help your lids stay open and elevated.
#5: You can reduce your risk of other problems
Lid problems aren’t just cosmetic. In addition to blocking your field of vision, sagging upper lids and drooping lower lids can increase your risk of other problems, such as lid irritation, dry eyes, and eye infections. Dr. Snider performs a thorough lid evaluation to determine if your lids are putting you at risk for these or other eye-related problems.
Most people are good candidates for eyelid surgery, but before undergoing any procedure, Dr. Snider reviews your medical history, vision health, treatment goals, and lifestyle factors, such as smoking, that might interfere with normal healing.
To learn more about eyelid surgery at our Plano, Texas, practice, call or book an appointment online and talk to Dr. Snider about all your options.