Eyelid lift (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery consultation and planning

Your surgeon will perform a thorough health assessment and physical during your consultation. Your surgeon will also ask you about any current medications you are taking.

An important part of the consultation is communicating your goals and expectations. This allows your surgeon to provide treatment that fits your specific needs. The surgeon will make treatment recommendations, detail the expected outcomes, talk about potential risks, and instruct you on any preparations you need to make. Ask as many questions as you need so that you are fully comfortable with the procedure.

Eyelid surgery procedure description

The procedure is performed in our certified outpatient surgery center and may take one to two hours. The procedure begins with the application of anesthesia, which can either be IV sedation or general anesthesia. Incisions are then made on the upper eyelid (upper blepharoplasty) or lower eyelid (lower blepharoplasty). If both types of blepharoplasty are to be performed, the upper one is usually completed first. Upper lid incision is usually placed right in the eyelid crease, so it is well hidden after it heals. The lower lid incision is placed right under the lash line.

Various techniques exist to perform this procedure. The surgeon may spread the fat around, excise it, and/or remove excess skin. The surgeon will determine the right technique based on your unique situation. Eyelid incisions may be closed with absorbable sutures that do not need to be removed or permanent sutures that may need to be removed in 5 to 7 days.

An upper eyelid lift can also be performed in the office setting using only local anesthetic. Many of our clients report feeling safe and comfortable during this procedure. Our staff will guide you through everything and make this process very smooth.

Blepharoplasty Recovery

Immediately following the procedure you may experience blurry vision, light sensitivity, swelling, and bruising, all of which are normal and temporary. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled for you to check on your healing progress.

Your surgeon will provide detailed instructions about caring for your eyes. For instance, you may be given prescription eye drops to use. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication and you should not drive while taking this medication. Use cool compresses and sleep with your head on 3 to 4 pillows to help reduce swelling. Wearing dark sunglasses may help with sensitivity and help to avoid any damage from harsh sunlight.

Additional precautions during the recovery period include:

• Avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting.
• Avoid using contact lenses.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes to reduce the risk of infection.
• Avoid smoking.
• Be on the lookout for unusual and serious symptoms such as excessive eye pain, bleeding, and severe vision problems. If anything feels out of place, inform your surgeon immediately, and seek medical help.

The average recovery period for patients who have undergone blepharoplasty is 10 to 14 days. Most patients can return to work in just a few days. At 2 weeks, patients can use makeup and should be able to resume much of their normal life.

Blepharoplasty Results

You will see improvements immediately following your blepharoplasty, but the end results are not fully manifested until about 1 month after surgery, at which point all the bruising and swelling will have resolved.

After blepharoplasty, you should be able to enjoy long-lasting beautiful eyes. To keep your eyes and face looking fresh even longer, it is important to avoid excessive sun exposure. Make wearing sunglasses and using sunscreen a routine even after recovery.

You can have vibrant, stunning eyes with blepharoplasty performed by our highly skilled surgeons at Houston Dermatology and Plastic Surgery.