Eyelid Surgery

Overview

Often an area of early aging, rejuvenation of the eyes can improve a tired appearance. Upper eyelid procedures focus on removing redundant skin and limited fat. Ptosis, or drooping of the lid, can be addressed at the same time. Lower eyelid treatment options include smoothing bags of protruding fat, camouflaging the tear trough, improving dark shadows, and conservatively removing excess skin. These procedures can help enhance the most beautiful facial feature.

Details

Eyelid surgery can be performed under local anesthesia, but occasionally sedation is desired. Upper eyelids are improved through an incision that is hidden in the eyelid crease. This allows for improvement in skin redundancy and eyelid position (ptosis). Position alone can be improved with an internal eyelid incision. For improvement of the lower lids, both internal and external incisions are possible. External incisions are typically best to treat excess skin, fat, and correcting lower lid malposition/laxity. Internal incisions are best when fat herniation is the sole problem. Tear trough correction is performed by fat transposition or fat grafting as needed. Our technique focuses on precision, symmetry, and maximizing results without compromising function such as dry eye or closing difficulties. Once both sides are completed, ointment and cool gel packs are applied. After awakening from anesthesia and confirming your comfort you will be able to go home in the care of a responsible adult.

Recovery

The morning after the procedure, the eyes are checked to make sure healing is progressing as desired. A single suture is removed and after care is reviewed. Swelling is normal and responds well to a cool compress, head elevation, and light activity. Pain is not part of the recovery. Lubrication is imperative and a combination of drops and ointment is utilized. After 1 week, all sutures have been removed and most bruising and swelling is gone from the face. Eye makeup can be worn at 10 days after the procedure. With the exception of heavy lifting, normal activities can be restarted after 2 weeks. Unless lower eyelid position was corrected, contact lens wear can also be restarted at this point. Patients flying in for their operation should make arrangements to stay in-town for a week. Swelling continues to improve over the first month.