Eyelid Enhancement
What is an "eyelid enhancement" procedure or "blepharoplasty"?
Eyelid enhancement, eyelid lift and blepharoplasty are all terms to explain removal of skin, fat and tissue from either the upper eyelid area or the lower eyelid area. This is considered cosmetic eyelid surgery.
How is an eyelid enhancement procedure performed?
There are a variety of different ways that your plastic surgeon may perform eyelid surgery. Classically for the upper eyelid area, the incision is in the upper eyelid crease, and it heals quite nicely. On the lower eyelid area there are really two types of procedures. There's the external or subciliary incision, which involves an incision on the lower eyelid area. The other procedure is what's called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, or inner eye eyelid surgery, where the incision is actually on the conjunctiva, and that may lead to less scarring.
Who can get an eyelid enhancement?
You really need to see a board certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or ocular plastic surgeon before determining whether or not you're a good candidate for eyelid surgery. Most patients that have extra skin and fat in either the lower eyelid or upper eyelid area are good candidates for eyelid surgery. However, there are certain patients who have a lid that doesn't snap back, who might really not benefit from eyelid surgery. You really need to check with your doctor before undergoing eyelid surgery.
Is an eyelid enhancement painful?
Compared to some of the other plastic surgery procedures, eyelid surgery is really not painful. In fact, because it involves removing only a small amount of skin and fat, it's really not that painful. The recovery time after eyelid surgery is rather minimal: one day of pain and a couple of days of bruising. Compared to some of the other procedures it is relatively painless.
What are the risks and complications of an eyelid enhancement procedure?
The major concern regarding eyelid surgery is failure: a lack of improvement of the eyelid area, such as remaining skin or fat, or just not giving you that general healthy rejuvenated appearance that you choose. One of the other concerns - and a major concern - is what we call ectropion, where the eyelid itself is pulled down amongst the scar tissue and this is something that needs to be fixed, otherwise it can lead to dry eye syndrome or other ophthalmogic issues.
What incisions or scarring should I expect with an eyelid enhancement procedure?
For upper eyelid surgery, the incision site is usually in the upper eyelid crease, so the incision heals quite well and is unperceivable. In the lower eyelid area there's two types of incisions. One is called the subciliary incision where the incision is right underneath the eyelid area, and the skin is removed, and the scar is just underneath the eyelid. That procedure is usually performed for patients that have excess skin and fat. The other type of eyelid surgery procedure is what's called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, where the incision is made on the inside of the eye and fat is removed from that. If in fact you have extra skin, a transconjunctival procedure is probably not a good option.
What should I expect after an eyelid enhancement procedure?
You're going to be pretty bruised, black and blue and swollen in the eyelid area after eyelid surgery. Generally, it's not that painful, but there will be significant bruising and swelling. This is an area where ice really works quite well, or frozen peas are also a good option to put on your eye area. In general, eyelid surgery mostly causes just swelling but not a lot of pain.
Will I have to take time off from work for eyelid enhancement surgery?
I would suggest taking at least a week off of work after eyelid enhancement. It's really not an issue of visual problems or being tired, but more of a concern of being black and blue in the eyelid area. If you don't need to see patients or customers, you can certainly go back to work in a day or two after eyelid surgery, but you're most likely going to have to wear sunglasses or something to hide those areas for a while.
What post procedures should I follow after an eyelid enhancement?
There's really not a lot of post procedure regimen that's required after an eyelid surgery. Most of it will be using ice or cool soaks to keep the area clean, moist and to help decrease the swelling. The other thing would be to keep your head elevated as much as possible, and to take pain medication as needed. Otherwise, there are really not a lot of post-op requirements for eyelid enhancements.
What are the costs associated with an eyelid enhancement procedure?
Unless you have significant upper eyelid skin that's blocking your vision, and an ophthalmologist determines that you cannot see, eyelid surgery is primarily considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore medical insurance will not pay for it. Costs of eyelid surgery depend on whether or not you are going to have both upper and lower eyelids performed, and the range can be anywhere from $3,000 up to $10,000.
Can I get other plastic surgery procedures at the same time as receiving eyelid enhancement?
It's very common to have other procedures done at the same time as eyelid surgery. For example, often a brow lift, a face lift and an eyelid surgery are all performed at the same. Also, for many patients, they may have complaints of just the upper or lower eyelid area, but they figure if we're there at the same time, we might as well take care of all of the lids. This is what we call a quad blepharopasty or quad bleph for short.
