Eyelid Surgery / Blepharoplasty
Are You Searching For Eyelid Surgery In The Fort Myers or Naples Area?
Hereditary factors and the signs of aging can greatly impact the appearance of our eyes so that what they reflect is not how we feel. As we age, the eyelids and surrounding skin can give the impression of being sad or angry even when we feel fine.
Many people develop puffiness or bags under their eyes that make them look tired. Eyelid surgery, technically called blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both.
The goal of blepharoplasty is to diminish the amount of excess or sagging skin, muscle, and fat. Our blepharoplasty can apply to upper and lower lid eyelid cosmetic blepharoplasty. Frantz Cosmetic Center also offers services for ptosis repair and brow ptosis repair.
What Causes These Changes?
As we age, our skin loses its elasticity. The lack of elasticity coupled with the constant pull of gravity causes excess skin to accumulate around the upper and lower eyelids. Sometimes fatty deposits can appear as puffiness around the eyelids.
What Can I Do About Droopy Upper Eyelids?
Mild drooping that impacts appearance but does not interfere with vision can be addressed with cosmetic eyelid surgery. This is also known as blepharoplasty.
What is Ptosis?
Ptosis is a condition in which the eyelids droop over the eye, sometimes covering the black pupil. Ptosis can interfere with or block vision.
In adults, it is usually caused by the lifting muscles separating from the eyelid due to aging or trauma. This is a medical condition that surgery can repair.
Sometimes, droopy eyelids are caused by Bell’s Palsy or other medical conditions that need treatment.
What Does an Upper Blepharoplasty Involve?
Our surgeon will discuss how to keep you comfortable during the procedure. At the beginning of the procedure, she will inject a numbing medication into the eyelids while the eyes are closed. Some people also need a mild sedative to calm their nerves.
To correct the upper eyelid, your surgeon will make an incision within the natural crease on the eyelid. This allows for removal or repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles, and removal of excess skin.
The incisions are closed with sutures, which are generally removed after 14 days.
What Can I Expect After Surgery?
Most patients experience some swelling or occasionally bruising, which may last 10-14 days. Applying ice packs or cold compresses for the first day or two can help reduce the swelling.
Some people also feel discomfort, irritation, or dryness in the eyes. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about how to care for your eyes.
They will also recommend any medications or ointments, and let you know when to follow-up. If you need a mild painkiller, a non-aspirin product such as Tylenol is recommended.
Aspirin, non-steroidal inflammatory drugs, and blood thinners could cause bleeding. As a result, they should not be used. Your eyelids should look normal within 3-4 weeks.
Plan to stay home from work and limit your activities for several days following your procedure. It is best to avoid vigorous exercise or any strenuous activity that would put pressure on the eyelids while they are healing.
Sun protection of the eyes is also critical during this time.
Before & After
Will My Insurance Cover An Upper Cosmetic Blepharoplasty?
If your eyelids droop enough that they are interfering with your vision, your insurance may cover the cost of an upper cosmetic blepharoplasty procedure. You will need to get a vision test and submit the results for prior approval of the surgery.
The office staff at Frantz Cosmetic Center can assist you with this process.
What Causes Droopy Eyebrows?
There are many causes of droopy eyebrows or brow ptosis. One common cause is aging and sagging of the soft tissue and skin above the brow.
Brow ptosis can put pressure on the upper eyelids. It can cause difficulty with activities such as reading or driving.
Droopy eyebrows can be remedied with several types of surgical brow lifts. Correction of mild to moderate brow ptosis may be accomplished through the same incision as an upper eyelid blepharoplasty.
Mild to moderate brow ptosis is also treatable with injections into the brow area using a hyaluronic acid product or your own fat.
When the droopy eyelids are more severe, surgery directly above the brow, in the forehead creases, or at the hairline can be performed.
What Causes the Dark Circles Under My Eyes?
As we age, the tissue structure and muscles around the eyes begin to weaken. Fat tissue that once surrounded the eye can begin to migrate to the area below the eye.
Three separate fat pads exist in the lower eyelid, and they become more visible with age. At the same time, fluid can accumulate in the area below the eyes, so that they appear puffy and swollen.
How Can I Get Rid of Baggy Eyelids and Dark Circles Under My Eyes?
Our Frantz Cosmetic Center specialists can assess your unique situation and make recommendations. This may include cosmetic treatments or lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).
What Happens During a Lower Blepharoplasty?
Lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is an outpatient surgical procedure. It can be performed from an incision hidden on the inside of the eyelid.
It may also be done through an incision in the skin right under the eyelashes. During the procedure, the surgeon removes excess fat or skin through an incision inside the lower lid.
In most cases, the goal of lower eyelid surgery is to get rid of the depression between the eyelid fat and the cheek fat. Soft tissue or fat bulges in the lower eyelid can be repositioned beneath that depression.
Repositioning the tissue or fat allows the surgeon to create a smooth convex contour between the cheek and the eyelashes. The surgeon will then rejoin the skin with tiny dissolving stitches to give a more youthful, rested appearance.
Are there Risks or Complications with Blepharoplasty?
Every surgical procedure involves the possibility of complications. Most of the complications below are minor and temporary:
- Dry Eyes
- Watery Eyes
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Blurred Vision
- Abnormal coloring of the eyelids
More serious, but very rare complications include:
- Eyelid skin that folds in or out abnormally
- Visual loss
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to eye muscles
- Corneal abrasion
- Drooping of an eyelid.
Our team will explain the possible side effects and complications of eyelid surgery so you can make an informed decision.
If you are bothered by upper eyelids with excess, drooping skin that makes you appear sad or angry, or by eyes that look tired due to puffiness or bags, eyelid surgery may be right for you. Insurance often covers upper eyelid surgery.
Eyelid Surgery Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, FL.
Make an appointment with Frantz Cosmetic Center, your eyelid surgery specialists.
