The Facts on Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery

Sagging eyelids are often interpreted as a sign of age or fatigue. As time goes on, the bags around our eyes tend to increase, perhaps giving others a different impression than how we actually feel. Some patients therefore choose upper or lower eyelid surgery as a way to enhance one of the most expressive parts of the human body. 

To better understand what eyelid surgery can achieve and what the procedure involves, consider the following information by Dallas plastic surgeon Ken Smart.

Reasons for Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery, also called a blepharoplasty or eye lift, is a way to remove excess skin and fat from below or above an eye. This cosmetic procedure allows patients to restore their eyelids to a more energized, youthful look. Here are common problems that an eye lift can solve:

• Puffiness above the eye: Upper eyelid puffiness is a natural effect of the aging process. For patients who wish to revitalize their appearance, an eye lift can remove fat above the eye and tighten the skin.
• Upper eyelid hooding: Hooding is when the eyelid’s skin begins to droop over the eye. This can make someone appear older as well as interfere with his or her vision. By lifting and tightening the skin, an eye lift can reverse the negative effects of hooding.
• Lower bags: Having bags under the eyes is a common complaint. This can be alleviated through lower eye surgery, whereby those deposits of fat are redistributed or removed. This procedure also tends to be effective at reducing wrinkles in the vicinity.

Upper or Lower Eyelid Surgery?

The procedure for an upper or lower eye lift is essentially the same: First, an incision is made along the eyelid’s naturally contours. Unwanted fatty tissue is then removed from beneath the skin. Sagging skin or muscle is also sometimes discarded. Thin sutures are used to close the incisions, which often dissolve on their own after the healing process.

The biggest deciding factor between upper eyelid and lower eyelid surgery is where you’d like to see results. If you are considering surgery above and below your eyes, it may benefit you to have both procedures performed at once. This allows for only one recovery period, while also possibly lowering expenses.

Candidates for Surgery

Scheduling an appointment with your plastic surgeon is the best way to learn about your specific candidacy for an eye lift. However, the following guidelines are good indicators of who will benefit most from this procedure.

• Healthy patients who can easily recover from surgery are the best candidates. Patients with diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease, and disorders that inhibit healing have a greater risk of complications.  
• Healthy eyes make for successful eyelid surgeries. On the other hand, patients who suffer from relatively dry eyes may have a difficult time recovering from an eye lift.
• Non-smokers tend to have an easier recovery process than smokers. If you do smoke, you may be asked to abstain for a number of weeks before and after the operation.
• Have realistic expectations of what an eye lift can accomplish. Many patients see their results last for up to ten years. However, it cannot stop the aging process all together. Talk with your doctor about the possible results of eyelid surgery.

Set Up an Appointment to Learn More

To better understand what upper or lower eyelid surgery can accomplish for you, call our office today. Speak with Dr. Ken Smart about the risks and benefits of an eye lift, and what you can personally expect from this and other cosmetic procedures.