Blepharoplasty or eyelid rejuvenation surgery (also called eyelid lift) is an operation designed to correct drooping skin around the eyes as well as bulges that may appear with age or due to heredity. Drooping skin is often most evident in the upper eyelids, where it can hide the normal skin crease above the eyelashes and even impair vision.
“Bulging” seen in the upper or lower eyelids is actually due to normal pockets of fat which have become more pronounced with age. Together, these factors may combine to give the eyes a tired, aged look, which may be out of proportion to the rest of the face. An eyelid lift can produce dramatic improvement in appearance, restoring a more youthful and energetic look. Good candidates for eyelid lift are patients with normal tear production and good eyelid tone and function. Contact lens wearers may be asked to refrain from lenses for one to two weeks.
Upper eyelid surgery or upper blepharoplasty is often done at the same time as lower eyelid surgery, although either procedure may be done alone, or in combination with other facial cosmetic procedures such as facelift or rhinoplasty.
Upper eyelid surgery is commonly performed using local anesthetic and a mild oral (by mouth) sedative for patient comfort. Gentle intravenous sedation is also an option in our clinic. The excess skin is carefully marked for removal, usually in an oval shape just above the natural eyelid crease. The final scar will actually lie within the crease, making it very difficult to notice once healing is complete. Following marking of the skin, the upper eyelid is injected with anesthetic solution. The skin is then carefully excised, exposing the underlying muscle and fat of the upper eyelid. A variable amount of muscle and fat is then removed from the upper eyelid to create and shape an optimal aesthetic balance. The skin is then closed with suture that will be removed in approximately one week. The entire eyelid lift procedure can take 20 minutes to one half hour to perform.
Upper eyelid ptosis or droopiness is a common condition and can be hereditary or age-related. Ptosis repair can be performed at the same time as an upper eyelid lift to achieve a fresher, more alert appearance.
Recovery from upper eyelid lift is generally rapid, with patients resuming regular activities in several days to one week. Bruising is either absent or very mild. The incision line may remain slightly red while healing, but due to its location in a natural crease is often hard to notice after suture removal at seven days.
Dave Stringham, the President of LookingYourBest.com offers information on plastic surgery in San Diego, California and plastic surgery procedures such as san diego eyelid lift, brachioplasty, breast augmentation, facelift, and tummy tuck.