Am I a Candidate for a Blepharoplasty?
If you are experiencing drooping or loose skin that makes you look older than you feel, have bags under your eyes, have developed fatty deposits in the eyelids or have fine lines and wrinkles throughout your eye area, then you are likely a candidate for a blepharoplasty procedure.
While this treatment can be performed on patients with all skin types and complexions, the best candidates are healthy individuals who do not smoke, who are free from conditions that impair healing or affect the eyes, and who have realistic expectations about what blepharoplasty can achieve.
How Should I Prepare for Blepharoplasty?
Before any surgery is performed, you will go through an initial consultation process with either Dr. Jeffrey or William Umansky. During this first step, Dr. Umansky will examine your unique anatomy and conditions, review your medical history and listen to you as you explain your goals for the procedure. We will then work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that will best address your concerns.
It is generally a good idea to bring along a list of questions and concerns to this appointment so that you don’t have to rely on memory alone during the exciting process. The initial consultation is the perfect opportunity to spend some time with Dr. Umansky and get the information you need.
Once surgery is scheduled, you will have a pre-operative appointment when you will be given a list of pre-operative instructions. It is important to follow these as closely as possible in order to ensure the safest and best results possible. Our staff is always available if you have any questions.
What Should I Expect from a Blepharoplasty Procedure?
Your procedure steps will always depend on the extent of your correction and the technique being performed. Regardless of the method or extend, however, the first step will be administering intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Which one you undergo is determined prior to your surgery day.
When the upper eyelid is the targeted area, the incision is made in the natural crease of the upper eyelid. This location provides full access for your surgeon to remove pockets of fat and excess skin. This incision usually heals with a barely visible scar.
When the lower eyelid is being corrected, there are two possible incision locations. The first is right below the lower lash line, allowing the scar to blend into a natural line. The second incision, called a transconjunctival incision, is made inside the lower eyelid. The transconjunctival approach does not allow for skin tightening.
What Should I Expect During Blepharoplasty Recovery?
It is normal to experience minor pain or discomfort immediately after your surgery. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication in case it is needed. Often, patients only require over the counter medication. Your eyelids will likely swell, and cold compresses are commonly used to minimize swelling.
You will be given a specific set of post-operative instructions to follow. By adhering to these guidelines, you give yourself the best chance to have excellent blepharoplasty results and a speedy surgical recovery. In most cases, our patients feel well enough to head back to work after seven to 10 days of recovery. Full recovery usually takes a few weeks to months.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect from a Blepharoplasty?
After undergoing an eyelid lift, you can expect a dramatic improvement to sagging skin and bags around the eyes. These results are permanent and long-lasting.
While no procedure or treatment can prevent additional sagging and wrinkling from developing, your appearance will always be better than it would have been without the surgery.
