Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty) at Plastic + Hand
When you’re sick and tired of looking older than you feel, consider an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty). By restoring your bright, alert-looking eyes, eyelid surgery can transform your whole face, minimizing other signs of facial aging. Eyelid surgery not only makes you look more youthful and refreshed, it also keeps sagging lids from interfering with your vision.
Eyelid surgery produces dramatic, long-lasting results. The procedure has very minimal discomfort and offers a quick recovery time. No wonder it’s one of the top 5 cosmetic surgeries performed in the U.S. today.
Trained at some of the top medical centers, Plastic + Hand surgeons have the depth of experience and skills necessary to perform your eyelid surgery safely and successfully…all right here in Maine.
What does eyelid surgery involve?
Cosmetic eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids (or both), and the surrounding area of your eyes. We use this procedure to correct:
- Loose, sagging eyelids
- Wrinkles around the eyes
- Fatty deposits on the lids
- Bags under the eyes
We perform this procedure using either local or general anesthesia in the comfort of the accredited, state-of-the-art Plastic + Hand Surgery Center.
Upper eyelid surgery
When performing upper eyelid surgery, we make an incision within the natural fold of the lid, extending it slightly beyond the outside corner of the eye. Through this incision, we remove excess skin and fatty tissue.
Upper Eyelid Surgery 3-D Animation
Lower eyelid surgery
For lower eyelid surgery, we make an incision just below the lower lashes, removing excess skin and fat or redistributing fat to eliminate puffiness. In some cases, the incision can be made on the inside of the lower lid. With both upper and lower eyelid surgery, we place incisions where they will heal inconspicuously.
Lower Eyelid Surgery 3-D Animation
Eyelid surgery can improve the look of dark circles caused by excess skin casting a shadow. Your Plastic + Hand surgeon may recommend combining eyelid surgery with other procedures such as laser skin resurfacing, a brow lift or a facelift. This is something we can determine in your initial consultation.
What should I expect after eyelid surgery?
After your eyelid surgery, we’ll take you to our recovery area where you will be closely monitored. Your eyes won’t be bandaged, and your pain level should be quite low. You will experience blurry vision from post-surgery swelling and the ointment used to protect your eyes during surgery. Within a few hours, a friend or relative can drive you home.
Upon arriving home, you should rest quietly with your head elevated. Your vision may stay blurry for a few days and your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to light with some dryness or excess tearing. During the first couple of days, you may have slight discomfort and some swelling or bruising. Swelling may take from one to several weeks to resolve completely; bruising usually lasts from one to two weeks. We’ll remove your stitches within a week of surgery.
While results vary, there are very few complications associated with eyelid surgery. You can expect to return to work and normal activities in a week to ten days. During that time, you can resume using makeup and wearing your contact lenses. We recommend wearing sunglasses for a couple of weeks and using sunblock for at least a month.
What are the results of eyelid surgery?
The healing process is gradual, so it may be several weeks before you see the final result of your eyelid surgery. Incision lines will fade, becoming barely visible over the course of several months. Your mirror will reveal alert, youthful-looking eyes, an image you will enjoy for many years to come.
Who are the best candidates for eyelid surgery?
Healthy women and men between the ages of 40 and 70 are usually the best candidates for eyelid surgery. Your Plastic + Hand surgeon will need to know your medical history, particularly whether you have allergies affecting the eyes or have been diagnosed with any eye conditions including “dry eye.” If you are a smoker, we highly recommend that you quit before having surgery. A consultation at Plastic + Hand Surgical Associates will determine if eyelid surgery is right for you.
With a Plastic + Hand surgeon, you’ll get the results you want with the respect you deserve…all right here in Maine.
Schedule time to talk with us
Each and every patient is unique. It’s important to us that we listen to our patients from the outset, so a phone consultation with our Patient Care Coordinator is the first step in determining whether eyelid surgery is appropriate for you.
