Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, improves the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids, resulting in a younger, more refreshed face. It’s a minor surgery that can dramatically improve the aesthetic balance of facial muscles and lend additional self-confidence.

Enhancements Through Blepharoplasty

The aesthetic benefits of blepharoplasty include:

• Eliminating bags under the eyes
• Picking up droopy, lower eyelids
• Removing pockets of fat tissue that cause an appearance of puffiness in the upper eyelids
• Correcting loose or sagging skin along the upper eyelid, which can make eyelid contours appear unnatural or impair vision
• Ridding facial wrinkles that have developed around the lower eyelid

Candidacy for Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery is for adult men and women who are in good physical and mental health. Like all facial cosmetic surgery procedures, it is important to have realistic expectations and goals.

Prior to surgery, patients have a personal consultation with Dr. Daria Hamrah where surgical goals will be discussed. After the discussion, it’s possible that another procedure, such as facial liposuction, is the best route for achieving aesthetic expectations.

Certain conditions can exclude a patient from being suitable for eyelid surgery. These include:

• Patients suffering from a serious eye condition, such as glaucoma, dry eye or a detached retina
• Patients with thyroid disorders
• Patients afflicted with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or other circulatory disorders

Eyelid Surgery Procedure

The eyelid surgery procedure can take anywhere from one to three hours. It’s vital to prepare transportation to and from the surgical site, as anesthesia is administered for pain minimization and swelling will begin immediately.

Dr. Hamrah takes extra care in determining an indiscriminate location for the incision line so that the scars are concealed within the eyelids natural ridges. Location for the incision site is dependent on the surgery’s goals:

• Lower eyelid surgery is performed with an incision below the lower eyelash line, from which excess skin is removed.
• Lower eyelid fat is typically removed from an incision within the inner side of your eyelid (“invisible incision”).
• Upper eyelid surgery involves an incision within the upper eyelid’s natural lines. This is suitable for tightening eyelid muscles, removing unwanted skin, and adjusting the location of fat deposits

Eyelid incisions are often closed with absorbable or removable sutures.

Blepharoplasty Recovery

Recovering from blepharoplasty involves swelling and bruising, incision site irritation and dry eyes. These conditions will subside after a few weeks. During the healing process, it’s vital to wear protective sunglasses and limit physical activity.

While the initial results will be visibly corrected after a few weeks, it can take upwards of a year for the contours to be fully defined.

To learn more about eyelid surgery, please visit our Blepharoplasty Questions page.

If you live in the Washington, D.C. or Northern Virginia areas and believe you are a candidate for eyelid surgery, please contact Dr. Hamrah today to schedule your personal blepharoplasty consultation.