Eyelid surgery

How does Eyelid Surgery work?

Eyelid surgery is versatile, and needs to be catered to your specific needs. It is one of our most commonly performed and rewarding surgical procedures. Few procedures can make such a huge change in your appearance with just a short, same-day surgery.

By addressing the skin, muscle and fat pockets above and below the eye, eyelid surgery can give tired-looking eyes a fresh, new look. Upper eyelid incisions are hidden in the eyelid crease, and lower eyelid incisions are often made on the inside of the eyelid so they can’t be seen.

Although eyelid surgery typically involves removal of extra skin and reshaping or repositioning of the normal fat pockets around the eye, there are many variations that can be utilized. The methods used in your surgery will depend upon what you most need to address.

To give you the best result, adjunct procedures may be performed with your eyelid surgery such as fat grafting, laser resurfacing, and/or brow lifting.

Eye Lift: What It Addresses

Why is eyelid surgery necessary?

The skin around the eyes is very delicate. Our eyelids are constantly moving and as a result, the eyes show signs of aging earlier than other parts of the face. Over time, the muscles and ligaments responsible for opening and closing the eyelid become stretched which causes sagging. Drooping upper eyelids project tiredness and old age and can even hinder vision.

Eyelid Surgery and the Business World

If you feel your eyes make you look older than you are, the remedy is blepharoplasty. In a world with highly competitive job markets, sometimes the difference between getting the dream job is a matter of projecting youth and vigor. Many people suffer from premature aging in the eyes which can affect how people see them.

Upper eyelid lift

With an upper eyelid lift, the muscles responsible for opening the eyelids may be shortened to restore proper function if this is the cause of eyelid droop. In some patients, the underlying muscle is fine; it is sagging skin that is causing unwanted drooping. Another issue with aging in the eyes is fat deposits in the upper lids.

Why choose Dr. Farhood for an Eye Lift?

Restoring a youthful, alert appearance in the eye area requires finesse as well as surgical skill. Dr. Farhood is a respected facial plastic surgeon with a passion for perfection. His goal is to provide world class eye lift surgery for his patients, restoring self confidence in their personal and professional lives. Dr. Farhood is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon w

Functional Eyelid Surgery

If loose skin in the upper lid drops below the iris it can partially obstruct vision. Patients who have their vision obstructed by loose skin will need functional blepharoplasty to restore full peripheral vision. This surgery is not designed to improve appearance but rather to improve vision or to make it possible to wear glasses or contact lenses. Even if improving appearance isn’t the primary goal, the result will still be a refreshed more youthful appearance.

Other reasons for functional eye lift surgery are skin irritation in the upper lids from skin folds rubbing together as well as muscle fatigue in the forehead caused by straining to elevate sagging lids.

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Patients with pronounced pockets of fatty tissue under the eyes look tired no matter how much sleep they have had. The pockets can become more pronounced when patients are under stress or retaining water. No topical solution is effective in remedying this problem. Dr. Farhood routinely helps his patients rid themselves of embarrassing under eye pouches.

Some patients have a second area of edema just over the cheekbones giving the impression of a double row of bags. These are called festoons and require a coordinated surgical plan that addresses both issues separately. Only addressing the area directly under the eye can actually focus attention on festoons.

If the lower lid has become stretched and does not rest snugly against the eye it will expose the white under the iris. Surgery will tighten these muscles restoring proper function of the lower lid which is in part to keep the area free of debris.

Recovering From Blepharoplasty

Most patients are delighted to find that recovering from blepharoplasty is easier than expected. They report that they feel mild discomfort after the procedure and easily manage what little there is with over the counter pain medication.

Performed as an outpatient procedure

Eyelid lift surgery is an outpatient procedure, so you will be able to recover in the comfort of your own home, following your surgery. You should rest as much as possible for the first few days, concentrating on allowing your body to heal. It is important to keep your head elevated while sleeping or laying down to avoid increasing swelling. Patients who can do this experience faster healing.

First day post-surgery

The use of cold packs is recommended to minimize swelling and bruising. On the first day , the packs should be applied every hour you are awake for 10 or 15 minutes. This schedule can be reduced to every few hours on the second day and third day.

Days following surgery

During the first few days you will see bruising, swelling and possibly redness in the whites of your eyes. This will diminish over the next week and by the end of the second or third week, about 90% of the exterior healing should be complete.

Returning to work

The speed at which you can return to work or social activities depends on several factors. Healing will be faster for patients simply having skin removed than for patients also having fat removed with muscle adjustment.

What about scarring?

Incisions for lower lid surgery are usually made from inside the lid so there will be no visible scar. Patients having upper lid surgery will have visible incisions that will eventually become virtually indistinguishable. Most patients can return to work and social activities after about 10 days on average.

What if I have an upcoming event?

If you have a big event coming up, plan your surgery for a few months before the event to ensure you will be camera ready on the big day.

Frequently asked questions

  • You will have to be careful to protect your eyes from the sun after your eyelid lift surgery, critical in the first few days. Wear sunglasses when outdoors.

  • You must completely avoid swimming or other strenuous physical activities for at least three weeks following your blepharoplasty surgery.

  • While the incisions are hidden in the eyelid crease, the final result is not typically achieved until about two months have passed.

  • The incision must heal properly, so you should wear your glasses (if you need them) and wear sunglasses when venturing out. No contacts.

  • As with any surgery, you want the most meticulous plastic surgeon you can find. Dr. Farhood is known for natural-looking results.

  • You can discover much about a plastic surgeon by investigating his or her qualifications and certifications and reading online reviews from real patients.

  • You need to wait until give the okay by our plastic surgeon – but typically, you will need about two weeks before engaging in any vigorous exercise.

  • In general, it is best to wait six weeks between eyelid and Lasik surgery. Consultant with your ophthalmologist for formal recommendations.