Eyelid Lift Surgery

Eyelid Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty) FAQs

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves the removal or repositioning of excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. This can improve the appearance of drooping or puffy eyelids, as well as reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines in the eye area. It can be performed for both functional and cosmetic reasons.

Blepharoplasty is a very commonly performed cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPA), in 2019, there were over 208,000 blepharoplasty procedures performed in the US. Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States. According to the ASPA, blepharoplasty ranks as the 3rd most popular facial cosmetic surgery procedure, behind rhinoplasty and facelift.

Below, the cosmetic surgeons at Aurora MediSpa in Birmingham, MI answer our patients’ most Frequently Asked Questions about of eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty).

Who typically gets Eyelid Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?

Eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) is a common procedure among both men and women, who seek to improve the appearance of their eyes and address issues such as drooping eyelids, and wrinkles and puffiness around the eyes.

The majority of eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) patients fall between the ages of 40 and 54 years old. However, it is a safe and routine surgery that can be performed on patients even as old as their eighties!

How is Eyelid Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Performed?

Eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. It can be performed under either local or general anesthesia.

The procedure for upper eyelids typically involves an incision along the natural crease of the eyelid, through which excess skin, muscle, and fat are removed. For lower eyelids, the incision is usually made just below the lower lashes or inside the lower eyelid, and the fat is repositioned or removed.

Eyelid lift surgery may take 1-3 hours depending on the individual and the extent of the surgery.

What Kind of Anesthetic is Best for Eyelid Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?

Blepharoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia. The best type of anesthesia for eyelid lift surgery will depend on the patient’s preference, the extent of the procedure, and the surgeon’s recommendation. It is important to discuss the options with your surgeon prior to the surgery.

Local anesthesia involves injecting a numbing medication into the surgical area to block pain and discomfort. This allows the patient to be awake during the procedure, but not feel any pain. The patient may also be given a sedative to help them relax.

General anesthesia is administered through an IV, which puts the patient to sleep during the procedure. This type of anesthesia is typically recommended for more extensive procedures or for patients who have a high level of anxiety about the procedure.

How Long is Recovery After Eyelid Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?

Recovery time after eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) will vary depending on the individual and the extent of the surgery. For example, younger patients typically heal more rapidly than older patients.

Common side effects include swelling, bruising, and temporary dry eyes. Patient’s eyes may be swollen and bruised, and they may experience some discomfort and tightness in the eyelid area. Cold compresses can help to reduce swelling and bruising, and pain medication can be prescribed to help manage discomfort.

Most patients can return to work and normal activities within one weeks, but it’s important to avoid strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting, for at least two weeks after the surgery. It’s also important to avoid sun exposure and to wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun and wind for several weeks after surgery.

Some patients might experience dry eyes after the surgery and artificial tears can help alleviate this. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to check the healing process and any other instructions will be given. It’s extremely important to follow your surgeon’s instructions during the recovery period to ensure proper healing and to achieve the best possible results.

Are There Visible Scars after Eyelid Lift Surgery?

Blepharoplasty typically leaves very minimal scarring as the incisions are made along the natural creases of the eyelids, where they are virtually ‘invisible.’ In the case of the lower eyelid surgery, the incision can be made inside the eyelid where the scars are not visible at all.

Some patients may develop fine, minor scarring that is visible when an incision is done just below the lower lashes rather than inside of the eyelid.

The appearance of the scars can also be affected by the patient’s healing process, skin type and genetics. In general, any scars that are red and raised immediately after the surgery will fade and flatten to be unnoticeable over time.

For the least visible scarring, it is important to keep the incisions clean and dry during the recovery period, avoid sun exposure and to follow the surgeon’s post-operative instructions. This will minimize the risk of infection and promote proper healing.

It’s also important to note that the final results of the surgery might take some time to show up, around 6 to 12 months, as the swelling subsides and the scars fade.

What are Non-Surgical Alternatives to Eyelid Lift Surgery?

Aurora MediSpa in Birmingham, MI offers several non-surgical treatments that can improve the appearance of the eye area. But while these alternatives to blepharoplasty include are less invasive and have less recovery time than eyelid lift surgery, the results are significantly less dramatic and not nearly long lasting.

Our other eye treatments include:

Dermal fillers such as hyaluronic acid which can be used to add volume to the under-eye area and smooth out wrinkles and fine lines.
Botox to temporarily relax the muscles that cause wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes.
Chemical peels & laser treatments to remove the top layer of damaged skin and promote the growth of new, smooth, tighter skin.
Radiofrequency treatments to tighten and remodel the skin around the eyes.

Eyelid Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty) | Birmingham, MI

If you are frustrated by dropping, sagging, or puffy eyelids, schedule a consult with one of the cosmetic surgeons at Aurora MediSpa in Birmingham, MI to determine the best procedure for your specific needs.

We will help you select the best treatment to improve the appearance of your eyelids and take years of your appearance, so that you love the way you look.