Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Boca Raton Eyelid Surgeon

Eyelid Surgery, medically referred to as Blepharoplasty, is a surgical technique done to repair sagging, drooping eyelids by removing excess skin and fat around the eye, and sometimes tightening supporting muscles.

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age. You may also be a candidate for blepharoplasty if your drooping eyelids keep you from completely opening your eyes or if drooping skin pulls down your lower eyelids.

Video About Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery

View all blepharoplasty surgery before and after photos.

Is it time to consider eyelid surgery

As you age, you may notice friends asking if you’re tired or if everything is okay. These statements can be a red flag that you’re looking a little rundown. Most likely, they are noticing your eyes first. When you begin to hit your mid-30s, your upper and lower eyelids may begin to look tired, puffy or begin to droop. You can blame it on the fact that as we age, our eyelids begin to stretch and the supporting muscles beneath tend to grow weaker with time. 

Unfortunately, as we age, eyelids can stretch and supporting muscles can weaken. Thankfully, a procedure called a blepharoplasty may help repair your eyelids and have you looking brighter and younger in no time.

Candidates for eyelid surgery include:

How Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty) works

Having eyelid surgery can help remove sagging drooping eyelids. It works by removing extra skin or fat around the eye. During eyelid surgery, your doctor will tighten supporting muscles to create a refreshed look. For people of Asian heritage, a blepharoplasty can add an upper eyelid crease, without erasing evidence of your beautiful and natural heritage

To learn about eyelid surgery, please read the guide below or contact Ennis Plastic Surgery at 561-405-9020 to book a consultation or ask us a question. We are here to help you get the look you desire.

View all eyelid surgery before and after photos.

Why eyelids sag and lids droop

Your reasons for needing eyelid surgery are personal and can be different case by case. What’s usually going on is that stretched eyelids happen because excess fat collects above or below the eyelids. This excess fat collection causes the eyebrows to sag and contributes to drooping lids and heavy bags under the eyes.

Sometimes, the saggy skin can actually impede your vision, particularly your peripheral vision. This happens when the hooded upper eyelid restricts the vision out of the upper and outer corner of your eye. This can greatly impact your vision and make it unsafe to do certain tasks, including driving.

Get to know Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Ennis

Lower and Upper Eyelid Surgery

You may need a surgical eyelid procedure for either your lower or upper eyelid depending on what’s going on. Many patients choose to have surgery on both to get a balanced look to the top and bottom. 

To successfully look younger, lighter and less droopy, there are two types of eyelid surgery: upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty.

1. Upper Blepharoplasty

During an upper blepharoplasty, your doctor will address the appearance of the upper eyelid. The incision is made in the natural crease line that occurs 1 cm above the eyelashes. The incision might extend into the crow’s feet or laughter lines at the outer corners of your eyes. Your surgeon will separate the skin from the subcutaneous layers and remove excess fat and trim the sagging muscle and skin. The incisions will be closed with very fine sutures or with surgical glue.

2. Lower Blepharoplasty

The lower blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure addressing the appearance of the lower eyelid. This incision usually starts at the outer margin of the eyelashes. The skin is then lifted upwards and outwards, gently tensioning the area while the overlapping skin is removed. Your incisions will be closed with very fine sutures. In older patients, laser resurfacing is recommended on the lower lid to erase fine lines and resurface the delicate area of the lower lid.

What To Expect From Eyelid Surgery

During your eyelid surgery, you’ll be in the hands of the talented and internationally-recognized surgeon, Dr. Scott Ennis. But before your surgery is even an option, you’ll meet for a consultation to talk about the goals and expected outcomes of your surgery. You’ll have a complete physical exam and eyelid photography during your appointment. Your medical team will then meet to discuss the best approach to your surgery. If your eyelids are blocking your vision in any way, you’ll also have a vision exam before surgery. 

Day of Eyelid Surgery Procedure

When surgery day arrives, you’ll have a special numbing medication injected in your eyelids to keep you from feeling anything during the procedure. You’ll then be given IV medication to help you relax and stay comfortable during surgery. You will be groggy and sedated. Dr. Ennis will cut along the eyelid fold, remove the necessary skin, muscle and fat and then close the incision. The surgery typically lasts less than two hours for most clients.

The Recovery Process

After your blepharoplasty, you’ll notice that you may have blurred vision (due to the necessary ointment applied to your eyes during surgery), watering eyes, light sensitivity and some pain that will begin to subside. You may also have bruising around the eyes similar to a black eye. Before leaving, you’ll be instructed how to fully care for your healing incisions.

You’ll apply cool compresses to the eyes to reduce swelling and discomfort. A few days after surgery, you will return to Ennis Plastic Surgery for follow-up with the medical team to ensure optimal healing and recovery. You should continue to protect the delicate skin around your eyelids from too much sun exposure on an ongoing basis. 

For some clients, the results of the blepharoplasty will last the rest of their lives, but for others drooping eyelids may reappear. This is typically a result of heredity, environmental sun damage and skin care practices.

View all eyelid surgery before and after photos.

Complimentary Procedures with Blepharoplasty

There are some things that eyelid surgery just can’t do. These include removing superficial wrinkles, lifting sagging eyebrows, or lightening dark circles under the eyes. For these issues, there are other surgical or regenerative medicine procedures available at Ennis Plastic Surgery that can complement the blepharoplasty. For example, if you are concerned about correcting for sagging eyelids but also improving fine lines and wrinkles, you may benefit from a blepharoplasty followed by a series of regenerative medicine treatments such as skin resurfacing. 

If you are concerned about sagging eyelids or sagging eyebrows, you may consider a blepharoplasty with a brow lift. Share all of your concerns with Dr. Ennis and he will educate you on the options and procedures available to most perfectly suit your needs. You’ll be amazed at the results you get by adding just a little more work to the equation. 

Dr. Scott Ennis, A Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. L. Scott Ennis at Ennis Plastic Surgery understands how important your eyes are to your confidence and self-esteem. That’s why he makes it a point to provide healing and help to the whole self. Dr. Ennis is highly-renowned and has been named one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, one of the Ten Best plastic Surgeons in Florida based on patient reviews and Realself’s Top 100 cosmetic surgeons in the country. Dr. Ennis and the Ennis Plastic Surgery team are ready to help you look younger and brighter with an exciting eyelid procedure. Contact us today!