Blepharoplasty 101

While puffy eyes and a tired look may have once been reserved for the occasional late night out, over time they can become a daily obstacle to looking as young as you feel. Blepharoplasty is the optimal surgical procedure performed to remove excess sagging skin and puffy tissue surrounding the eyes, commonly referred to as the Eye Lid Lift. The results? Restoring you to a more youthful, refreshed, and rested appearance. This procedure is performed on the upper and/or lower lids.

Upper.

In the upper eyelids, a hidden incision is made in the natural crease of the eyelid. The excess skin and muscle is then removed.  Any excess fatty tissue is also removed at the same time, and sutures are used to repair the incision.

*Actual patient before (left) and after (right) of an upper blepharoplasty.

Lower.

For the lower lids, there are two possible procedures I can perform based on the type of tissue surrounding the eyes.

The first is transconjunctival blepharoplasty. This is an internal incision in the lower eyelids. I choose to perform this procedure if puffiness is the only problem without much excess skin present. An incision is made inside the lower eyelid to remove or reposition the bulging areas.  This avoids the traditional skin incision used on the second option, external blepharoplasty.

An external blepharoplasty is the traditional incision just below the eyelashes. This is performed to remove the excess skin in addition to the tissue causing puffiness.

*Actual patient before (left) and after (right) image of an upper and lower blepharoplasty.

Laser  >  Scalpel

Laser blepharoplasty was first performed in 1981 by Dr.Sterling Baker. The second generation of laser had been developed and improved by the mid 80’s I was privileged to study and train hands on with Dr.Baker to learn this advanced and evolving technique. I have been performing this procedure with lasers exclusively since 1987 and now have had the privilege of training over 3,000 surgeons in advanced laser blepharoplasty techniques. I am also a certified instructor for 3 laser companies and feel that training and passing on professional knowledge I have gained to other doctors is an important aspect of my profession.

I prefer using a laser as the incision tool, rather than a scalpel, for a number of reasons. The laser seals the small blood vessels as it opens the skin, providing a nearly bloodless incision. This allows clear visualization while performing the surgery as well as less bruising and swelling post-surgery, minimizing patients’ recovery time. As part of the surgery packages at Oculus Plastic Surgery, I incorporate oral supplements to prepare and aid in recovery from procedures.

Because of my extensive experience with this procedure and background in ophthalmic surgery, I pride myself on the ability to create a natural appearance for my patients while maximizing both their functional and cosmetic enhancement.

Expiration… a decade away.

In general, the beneficial results from a blepharoplasty procedure last 10-15 years. This can vary for each individual patient, which is why we offer a number of skin care and lifestyle suggestions that patients can incorporate to facilitate the longest lasting results possible. For more details on daily maintenance, check out my lifestyle blog.

We haven’t figured out how to entirely stop you from aging, but with a blephoraplasty, you will look and feel younger for many years to come!