Imagine looking younger, feeling revitalized, and seeing your whole world anew. It’s possible with blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure designed to improve the appearance or function of the eyelids. Learn more about eyelid surgery and how the highly trained experts at Apex Cosmetic Surgery Center can help you achieve your wellness goals.
Benefits of Blepharoplasty
At Apex Cosmetic Surgery Center, eyelid surgery is the most frequently performed procedure. It can both improve your eyesight and make you look younger. Extra skin of the upper eyelid can restrict your vision and make your eyes feel heavy and tired. Upper eyelid skin is thin and always exposed to the sun. With age, skin laxity gets worse such that some people will use tape to lift the skin to improve their vision. Surgery can eliminate eye fatigue and visual blockage. It can also erase years from your face, as your eyes are what most people pay attention to and use to judge your age.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Eyelid surgery is routinely done under local anesthesia. For more anxious patients, oral sedation is also an option. In rare cases — and when paired with procedures such a face-lift — eyelid surgery can be done under general anesthesia. At Apex Cosmetic Surgery Center, we pride ourselves on creating the most comfortable and worry-free environment for our patients.
What to Expect During Recovery?
Recovery after eyelid surgery is usually fast and painless. People aren’t encouraged to sleep on their back for 3-4 days. Tylenol is usually adequate for management of mild discomfort, and less than 10% of patients have bruising associated with surgery. Most patients can work from home the next day. We recommend not wearing contact lenses for 5-7 days.
Your exciting journey toward feeling, looking, and seeing your best starts with a consultation. To learn more about eyelid surgery and how it may support your wellness goals, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with the expert team at Apex Cosmetic Surgery Center today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a blepharoplasty procedure take?
Upper eyelid eye surgery takes about 1.5 hours, however this depends on the extent of surgery — for example, whether only the skin or both the muscle and fat will also require removal. Lower eyelid surgery takes approximately the same time. On average, a combination procedure — both upper and lower eyelids — can take 3-4 hours.
Are you awake for eyelid surgery?
We recommend local anesthesia, which is safer and well tolerated. General anesthesia is used when eyelid surgery is performed for highly anxious patients or when other procedures such as face-lift are performed at the same time.
How should I sleep after blepharoplasty?
We instruct patients to spend 3 or 4 nights sleeping on their back at 30-degree elevation (a few pillows under the back). This facilitates resolution of the swelling and improves healing.
How long do results of a blepharoplasty last?
Eyelid surgery has durable results that will serve you for many years to come. Occasionally however, with aging and genetic propensity, a secondary revision may be needed. This is not common.
Is blepharoplasty covered by insurance?
Functional blepharoplasty to remove excess skin from the upper eyelids to improve vision may be covered by insurance. To meet criteria for insurance coverage, visual field test results as well as a picture of your eyelids may need to be submitted to insurance. Lower eyelid surgery to remove “bags,” considered strictly cosmetic, is never covered by insurance.
Can blepharoplasty change the shape of eyes?
Blepharoplasty can change the shape of your eyes — usually only when patients request such change to meet current cosmetic trends.
At what age should I consider blepharoplasty?
Requests for cosmetic blepharoplasty usually start in the 30s but are most common between 45 and 55. Functional blepharoplasty to improve vision is usually requested between 60 and 75. For patients of Asian descent, cosmetic procedures to change eyelid appearance may occasionally occur in their 20s. The best way to explore your options is to schedule a consultation with our experienced team at Apex Cosmetic Surgery Center.
Will blepharoplasty get rid of wrinkles?
Blepharoplasty can get rid of some wrinkles. Botox, however, is a better route. During surgery, if appropriate, our surgeon will address excess orbicularis muscle to minimize wrinkles.
Will blepharoplasty get rid of dark circles?
There are procedures to resect/reposition lower eyelid skin to minimize dark circles. Other procedures, however, can achieve similar results without surgery. Our expert team can discuss potential alternatives to surgery if dark circles are your primary concern.
When can I wear makeup after blepharoplasty?
You can potentially wear some makeup about 5 days after surgery. More specific instructions will depend on your postoperative healing. The makeup will need to be applied in a specific way to minimize scarring. No makeup should be applied without talking to our surgical and nursing staff.
When is blepharoplasty medically necessary?
Eyelid surgery is necessary when your vision is impaired by extra skin of your upper eyelids and interferes with your vision. Blocked vision can keep you from seeing changing streetlights, side traffic, or someone walking into your path. A visual field test is a great way to assess your function and will be required for submission to insurance before surgery.