It can be frustrating when you’re well-rested and happy, but people keep asking if you feel well or are upset. The problem may be your eyes looking tired, puffy, or wrinkled. At Longwood Plastic Surgery, an eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, may be just the refresher you need.
*individual results may vary.
How Does Blepharoplasty Work?
Having an eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is a fairly simple procedure that removes or repositions fat pads, remodels tissue structures, and removes excess skin to give the eyes a more open, alert appearance.
The upper blepharoplasty concentrates on the upper lid, where the incision is made within the crease for maximum camouflage. By removing excess fat, repositioning underlying tissues, and removing lax skin, your LPS surgeon can quite literally open the appearance of your eyes so you appear youthful and refreshed. This procedure can even solve vision obstructions in severe cases.
The lower blepharoplasty focuses below the lower lashes, where puffiness and shifting tissues create under-eye bags, hollows, and dark circles. By removing and repositioning tissues through an incision made below the lashes, your LPS surgeon tightens the skin and makes your eyes look smooth and youthful.
Am I a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
Eyelid surgery does not change the shape or position of your eye openings, so you won’t look like someone else after your procedure. You will, however, have a more awake and refreshed appearance with the removal of lax skin and bags surrounding your eyes. Some candidates can improve their peripheral vision if the lax upper eyelid skin was blocking their eyesight. If your vision is impaired by this excess skin, some insurances may cover your procedure, once the problem is documented by an ophthalmologist. Certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism and Graves’ disease, or some circulatory or cardiovascular concerns, make blepharoplasty riskier.
A consultation with an LPS specialist can determine your candidacy for one or both procedures.
What are the Differences Between Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty?
While the aim of upper and lower blepharoplasty is the same—to open up the appearance of the eyes—the techniques used between the two are different. Both procedures are performed in the Longwood Plastic Surgery accredited surgical suite with a local anesthetic on an outpatient basis.
The upper eyelid lift may be beneficial for more than aesthetic concerns. Skin drooping far enough over the eyes can impede peripheral vision. Blepharoplasty can correct this while also achieving cosmetic enhancement. The focus is to lift the tissues, and it can be performed alongside a forehead lift for more complete results.
Lower blepharoplasty is typically done for cosmetic reasons to reduce under eye puffiness, bags, and excess skin. The incision is made under the lower lashes to access shifted tissues under the eyes.
Your LPS surgeon may recommend both procedures at the same time for maximum improvement and one recovery period.
What Results Can I Expect?
Immediately following blepharoplasty, you may experience some swelling and bruising. This will subside within a few days.
Recovery from blepharoplasty is surprisingly short, around 1 week. Afterward, you’ll seem less tired-looking and more youthful. Some patients even report feeling less fatigued at the end of the day without excess skin weighing down their eyes.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning about blepharoplasty? Schedule your consultation with Longwood Plastic Surgery today by calling our Brookline office at (617) 383-6250. We serve the Brookline and Greater Boston area with distinction.