As we age, many of us develop excess skin or fat deposits that build up around the eyelids. This often causes the skin around the eyelids to sag or droop. For many people, the procedure known as blepharoplasty may be the answer to restoring the eyelids’ youthful look and fresh appearance.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a type of cosmetic eyelid surgery that is commonly referred to as an “eye lift.” It is part of a family of surgical procedures known as oculoplastics, which contains a variety of different cosmetic or reconstructive surgeries that deal with the areas surrounding the eyes, eyelids, and cheeks.
Specifically, blepharoplasty involves surgically removing excess skin or fat from the eyelid area. As you would expect, upper blepharoplasty is performed on the upper eyelids, while lower blepharoplasty corresponds to the tissue on the lower eyelids. These two procedures may be performed in conjunction or independently of each other, depending upon the specific needs of the patient.
Blepharoplasty is a common outpatient procedure, and mild to moderate bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort are typical for the first few days following the surgery. Most patients should limit their level of activity for approximately five to seven days after the surgery.
Why do people undergo this procedure?
The tissue around the eyelids has a tendency to stretch over time, and the muscles in this area can also weaken. This often leads to undesirable effects such as droopy eyelids, bags underneath the eyes, excess fat accumulating in the area, and sagging eyebrows.
Depending upon the severity, some of these problems can lead to reduced peripheral vision. Even when these issues may not be damaging to your health or vision, many people want to remove the effects because they make them look significantly older or tired. In any case, most patients who undergo a blepharoplasty feel the procedure gives their eyelid area a more “rejuvenated” look.
How can I learn more about the specifics of cosmetic eyelid surgery?
At Florida Eye Specialists, we believe that you should not only have an experienced and well-trained team of physicians, but that you should also have the trained support staff to help guide you through this process. That is why we have a full-time Oculoplastics Consultant who will discuss your options with you and help you make an informed decision for your health and wellbeing.
Our two oculoplastics physicians both specialize in a wide range of oculoplastic surgical procedures, including blepharoplasty. Dr. Wassia Khaja Ahmed and Dr. David Kostick are both highly trained plastic surgeons as well as fellowship-trained ophthalmologists, which allows for the highest level of care for eye-related surgical procedures. Both are board-certified ophthalmologists with decades of surgical experience between them, and both have authored numerous influential research publications in their field.
If you think you may be a good candidate for blepharoplasty, or you would just like to learn more about the procedure in detail, schedule an appointment with our oculoplastic surgery consultant. Our dedicated team will walk you through the options and specifics, ensuring you know exactly what to expect from the procedure and whether it’s right for you.