Eyelid surgery, medically referred to as blepharoplasty, can be an ideal way of enhancing the areas around your eyes for a more youthful, refreshed appearance. Normal aging of the area around the eyes begins in the third decade of life. Excess skin and bags under the eyes often gives an individual a tired and sad look. Eyelid surgery can address the extra skin in both the upper and lower eyelids, as well as the fat protrusion that causes the shadowing and circles under the eyes. In women, applying makeup typically becomes much easier after the excess skin is removed from the upper eyelids, and most women notice that they no longer get the double eyeliner lines on their upper lids. In men, it can be a great method of rejuvenating that tired look in a very subtle way. Our Newport Beach plastic surgeon can help you attain your goals with natural-looking results.
Quick Facts About Eyelid Surgery
- Eyelid surgery is the general term utilized to describe “blepharoplasty.” This procedure is also commonly called an “eyelid lift.
- The results of eyelid surgery can have an effect on the entire facial aesthetic for many patients, ultimately producing a more rested, refreshed, and youthful look.
- One of the many potential advantages of eyelid surgery is its ability to produce effective, long-lasting outcomes with virtually undetectable scarring.
- Most individuals are able to resume work and other normal daily routines within a week to 10 days following eyelid surgery.
- Dr. Semira Bayati is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has successfully performed many eyelid surgery procedures. She customizes all treatments to each patient’s unique needs and concerns in order to provide the best results possible.
- What Is Eyelid Surgery?
- Eyelid Surgery Benefits
- Eyelid Surgery Candidates
- Eyelid Surgery Procedure
- Eyelid Surgery Recovery
- Eyelid Surgery Results
- Eyelid Lift Surgery Scars
- Best Age for Eyelid Surgery
- Eyelid Lift Without Surgery
- Eyelid Surgery Cost
Email UsWhat Is Eyelid Surgery?
One of the first facial areas to show prominent signs of aging is around the eyes. Eyelid surgery, also known as an “eyelid lift,” is designed to address a number of common concerns that can affect both the upper and lower eyelid regions. This procedure is one of the most popular surgical cosmetic enhancement options in the U.S., and has helped both women and men effectively renew their appearance. Eyelid surgery can also serve a functional benefit for individuals who have limited visibility due to excess skin hanging over their eyes.
What Can Eyelid Surgery Do?
Eyelid surgery offers a number of benefits – particularly when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Bayati, who is committed to creating results that look natural and not “overdone.” The potential advantages of eyelid surgery include:
- Reduction of wrinkles surrounding the eyes
- Removal of excess skin and the tightening of remaining skin for a smoother appearance
- Reduction or repositioning of excess fat
- Improvement of puffiness, under-eye bags, or dark circles in the lower eyelid regions
- Reduction of excess skin in the upper eyelids to improve the field of vision
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
The most ideal candidates for eyelid surgery are typically those who are in reasonably good overall health and have realistic expectations for the potential outcome of the procedure. Those who are experiencing excess skin and fat deposits around the eyes, wrinkles and signs of aging and exhaustion, a “hooding” effect over the eyes due to excess skin, bagginess or puffiness, and hollowed tear troughs are often good candidates for eyelid surgery.
Occasionally, when there is low positioning of the eyebrows, blepharoplasty alone will not correct the crowded appearance of the upper eyelid. In these cases, an endoscopic browlift might be necessary to obtain the full cosmetic benefit in the peri-orbital area. This is usually the first operation that is performed for facial rejuvenation in a person’s late thirties or early forties. Occasionally, some people have congenital bags under their eyes that are present even in their early twenties.
During your initial consultation with Dr. Bayati, she will perform a thorough evaluation and determine whether eyelid surgery is the best option for you. If so, Dr. Bayati will create a customized treatment plan designed to meet your goals with natural-looking results.
How Is the Eyelid Surgery Procedure Performed?
Eyelid surgery can be performed utilizing a variety of techniques, depending on the best approach for your unique needs. Fortunately, both upper and lower eyelid surgery involve very discreet incisions and typically result in virtually undetectable scarring. The procedures are usually completed on an outpatient basis. Dr. Bayati can perform upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both in a combined procedure.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
In most cases, upper eyelid surgery requires very small incisions placed in natural creases around the eyelid. Depending on your individual needs, Dr. Bayati can remove excess, inelastic skin, reduce or reposition excess fat, tighten underlying muscles, and pull the remaining skin taut for a smoother, more youthful aesthetic.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery usually involves an incision made along the inside of the lower eyelash line. Dr. Bayati can then reposition or remove excess fat pockets, address dark circles or puffiness, eliminate excess skin, and give the region a smoother, more rested look.
What Is Eyelid Surgery Recovery Like?
While the exact nature of the recovery process will vary based on each individual’s needs and overall treatment plan, there is usually only minimal downtime after this surgery. There will likely be some swelling and bruising around the eyes after the procedure; however, these effects typically resolve significantly in about one week, and can often be minimized with herbal medications provided to you before surgery, as well as icing after the procedure. Discomfort during recovery can also be alleviated with medication. Dr. Bayati will thoroughly go over what you can expect from the recovery process and provide you with detailed post-operative instructions.
Most individuals are able to resume normal daily activities within 7 to 10 days after eyelid surgery. The initial effects of the procedure should be immediately apparent and continue to improve after swelling subsides. The rejuvenative effects of eyelid surgery can last for many years as long as patients continue to protect their skin from ultraviolet rays and maintain healthy skin care regimens.
How Long Do Eyelid Surgery Results Last?
The results of eyelid surgery can last many years into the future as long as proper skin care and healthy lifestyle habits are maintained. Daily use of sunscreen, the avoidance of smoking, routine skin moisturization, and getting an appropriate amount of rest can all help maximize the chances that eyelid surgery outcomes last for as long as possible.
How Noticeable Are Eyelid Lift Surgery Scars?
One of the major benefits of eyelid lift procedures is the potential for virtually unnoticeable scarring. Upper blepharoplasty procedures typically involve incisions placed in natural creases in the skin, while lower blepharoplasty often utilizes incisions placed inside the lower eyelid. Therefore, scars are usually barely detectable (if detectable at all).
What Is the Best Age for Eyelid Surgery?
Dr. Bayati sees patients from across a relatively wide spectrum of ages who are interested in eyelid rejuvenation. In general, eyelid surgery seems to be more popular in patients aged 40 or above. While signs of aging around the eyes is certainly one of the more prominent reasons individuals consider eyelid surgery, there are other factors that may cause patients concern as well, regardless of their age. Dr. Bayati will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the skin surrounding your eyes during the consultation and make recommendations based on your unique needs and goals.
Is an Eyelid Lift Without Surgery Possible?
Eyelid surgery is designed to accomplish a variety of specific goals and produce long-term results that cannot be matched by a non-surgical eyelid rejuvenation procedure. With that in mind, there are certain non-surgical treatment options that can effectively address some of the common aesthetic concerns that affect the eyelid areas, at least temporarily. For instance, BOTOX® injections can be useful for minimizing signs of crow’s feet. Some types of injectable dermal fillers can also help fill hollows and signs of wrinkles in areas around the eyes. Depending on the particular concerns and their severity, some patients may find that their goals can be achieved by those non-surgical alternatives.
During your initial consultation with Dr. Bayati, she will explore your options with you and help you determine whether eyelid surgery or an alternative treatment is ideal for your cosmetic enhancement goals.
How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?
The overall price of eyelid surgery is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors, including:
- Whether the treatment is performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both of these areas
- Surgeon’s fee
- Operating facility and anesthesia fees
- The geographic location of the practice
- Whether the treatment is performed as part of a more comprehensive aesthetic enhancement makeover that includes other procedures, such as facelift, brow lift, injectable fillers, or other treatments
During your initial consultation, Dr. Bayati will create a customized treatment plan and a member of our team will produce a total cost estimate. Our practice accepts a variety of payment methods, and we work with reputable plastic surgery financing companies that offer monthly payment plans to qualified applicants. While medical insurance does not typically cover cosmetic procedures, some policies may offer coverage for individuals who undergo eyelid surgery to correct a vision obstruction.
Eyelid surgery has helped both women and men enhance their appearance and feel great about the way they look. If you have questions about eyelid surgery, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Semira Bayati, please contact us today.
