Person being prepared for blepharoplasty surgery

There is sometimes a stigma that goes along with cosmetic surgery. However, many people do not realize that a lot of cosmetic procedures are also used to improve function and can be medically necessary. That can certainly be the case when it comes to eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty.

As you age, the muscles and skin around your eyes begin to weaken and stretch, resulting in tired, droopy looking eyelids. Fat may gather above or below your eyes,

Whether you’re looking to see better or to look more youthful, we are here to recommend the best surgery for you. If you are experiencing saggy, tired looking eyes, a blepharoplasty may be right for you.

What Is a Blepharoplasty?

A blepharoplasty is performed to correct saggy, droopy eyelids. A blepharoplasty can be done on the upper or lower eyelids. Blepharoplasties are performed for both cosmetic and functional reasons. Saggy eyelids not only make you look tired, but they can obstruct your vision, causing difficulty seeing.

Who Is a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, a blepharoplasty may be for you:

  • Baggy, droopy upper or lower eyelids
  • Excess skin on your upper eyelids that interferes with peripheral or central vision
  • Bags or excess fat under your eyes
  • Excess skin on your lower eyelids

Blepharoplasty can restore your face to a more youthful, awake appearance. Blepharoplasty may not be right for everybody, however. Sometimes, other procedures such as brow or facelift may be a better choice to suit your needs.

How Is a Blepharoplasty Done?

The blepharoplasty procedure is an outpatient procedure that generally takes anywhere from one to three hours to complete. Before beginning, your surgeon will inject your eyelids with numbing medication and administer intravenous sedatives to help you relax.

Your procedure will be a little different depending on whether you have surgery on your upper or lower eyelids. If you are having both done, the doctor will typically start on the upper eyelids.

Upper Blepharoplasty Procedure

The doctor will make an incision along the natural crease of your upper eyelid. This helps conceal the scar after healing. After the incision, the doctor will remove some excess skin, muscle, and fat. Once the necessary adjustments are made, the doctor will close the incision using sutures.

Lower Lid Blepharoplasty Procedure

On the lower eyelids, the doctor will either make an incision just below the lashes or inside the lower eyelid. Through the incision, Dr. the doctor will remove any excess skin, fat, and muscle. The incision is then closed using sutures.

Recovering After Blepharoplasty

After your blepharoplasty, you will take a little while to rest at the surgery center before going home. This will allow the anesthesia to wear off slightly, and the doctor will go over proper after-care procedures with you. Before you go home, the doctor will examine you for any immediate post-op complications. Be sure to bring someone along to drive you home!

Once home, you will follow a series of after-care instructions and get some rest. You should be sure to use all of your medications as directed for the amount of time recommended. This will help in the healing process and stave off infection.

Bruising and swelling generally subside within 14 days. Scars from surgical incisions can take months to fade, and during this time it’s important to protect eyelid skin from sun exposure. It can take a few months to see full results, so be patient and make sure to bring up concerns to the doctor.

Interested in getting a blepharoplasty? Be sure to contact us in Annandale, VA for your blepharoplasty consultation as soon as possible!