One of the first indicators of aging can be seen in the eyes. As you age, your eyelids begin to droop, making you appear tired and older than you probably are. If it progresses far enough, drooping eyelids can even impair your vision. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure that can counteract this, as well as repair unsatisfying eye traits you may have inherited. It is one of the most popular facial rejuvenation procedures because blepharoplasty produces significant results with minimal downtime. Because results are so natural and scars are hidden and very discrete, patients often enjoy compliments without mentioning they’ve had cosmetic surgery.

Tighten the skin around the eyes
Remove excess skin and under eye bags
Reduce fine lines and wrinkles

Blephoplasty “Eyelid Surgery” can be performed as upper eyelid surgery and/or lower eyelid surgery to address your individualized concerns and achieve your desired result. Often this procedure is also performed in conjunction with a face lift or brow lift for full facial rejuvenation.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery to address concerns with the top eyelid is extremely common. Many men and women are concerned with excess skin on the upper eyelid which can make a person look tired, sad or mad. In extreme cases it may also contribute vision problems. To correct this, eyelid surgery is performed by creating a thin incision along the upper fold of the eyelid – this is naturally hidden by the crease of your eye to prevent visible scarring. Excess fat, muscle and skin are removed for an appearance that is tighter and smoother, but still very natural looking. The incision is then closed with very small, thin dissolvable sutures. After surgery patients achieve a much more youthful and refreshed appearance.

Lower blepharoplasty for cosmetic eyelid surgery addresses concerns with puffiness and bags under the eyes, which can cause a tired or sad appearance. It also may make patients look much older. Performed either alone or with upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery removes and redistributes fat for a smoother, tighter appearance. First an incision is made along the lower lash line – allowing for discrete scars which are virtually un-noticeable. Then fat and tissue is redistributed, skin tightened and the excess removed. Incisions are closed with tiny sutures which will dissolve on their own. If non-dissolvable sutures are used, they will be removed in 3-5 days. If you do not have excess skin and are just looking to remove puffiness below the eyes, Dr. Smiley can perform transconjunctival blepharoplasty, which hides the incision underneath the lower eyelid. Dr. Smiley will discuss which type of lower eyelid surgery is best for you during your complimentary consultation.

Although it does not receive as much media attention as many other types of plastic surgery, eyelid surgery can help both men and women improve the appearance of their faces. If you are a healthy, stable individual with realistic expectations, you should continue reading to find out more about eyelid surgery. While eyelid surgery is most commonly performed on men and women over the age of thirty-five, if you are younger and have baggy or droopy eyelids, you can still be a potential candidate to undergo eyelid surgery. It is important to discuss the best options for you with Dr. Smiley during your complimentary consultation.