An Upper Or Lower Blepharoplasty Could Give Your Eyes A Rested, Youthful Look

The skin around your eyes changes as you get older. Your skin can get thin and saggy. Your upper eyelids may droop and give your eyes a hooded appearance. Your lower eyelids may have changes in fat distribution. You could develop hollows under your eyes or your eyelids could get puffy. 

Cosmetic treatments don't always help with significant drooping around your eyes. Instead, blepharoplasty might be needed. This is eyelid surgery, and it can be done on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. Here's a look at the blepharoplasty procedure.

The Procedure For Upper Eyelids

Your cosmetic surgeon needs to evaluate your upper lids to determine why they're sagging. This determines the type of surgery you need. For instance, if your brows are sagging and pushing against your upper lids, you might need a brow lift.

If your doctor determines you need an upper blepharoplasty, they'll make an incision along the upper lid where your new crease will be so the incision is hidden. They can remove or reposition fat through the incision and remove excess skin to tighten the lid.

The Procedure For Lower Eyelids

The incision for a lower blepharoplasty may be along the lash line so it's hidden from view. Just like with the upper eyelid, fat and skin can be repositioned or removed to treat bags or hollows under your eyes. The doctor may also anchor the skin at the corner of your eye to help prevent future sagging.

A Blepharoplasty Procedure Is Outpatient Surgery

You'll probably have eyelid surgery done as an outpatient, so you won't need to stay in the hospital. You may not need general anesthesia since the doctor can use a local anesthetic and IV sedation. You may have blurry or double vision after the procedure, so you'll need to have someone help you home.

The Recovery Phase Is Fairly Fast

Recovery from blepharoplasty surgery is fairly fast when compared with other types of surgery. You'll probably need to take off work for a few days due to swelling, bruising, and blurry vision, but you might be able to go back to many of your usual activities in several days, depending on how you progress. However, you'll want to wait until your doctor clears you for strenuous activity and exercise.

You'll need to avoid wearing contacts for several days, and you may want to wear sunglasses for eye protection. Your doctor might want you to apply ice to your eyes a few times a day to help with the swelling and pain, but you may not even need pain medication. However, you may need to use prescription eyedrops during your recovery.