Eyelid lift (Blepharoplasty)

Who should consider an upper or lower eyelid lift?
What happens during the procedure?
What is the expected outcome of the procedure?
Initial consultation and testing
Preparing for surgery
Day of surgery
Follow-up care

Who should consider an upper or lower eyelid lift?
Anyone who has

• Excess skin on the upper lid that sags and could interfere with vision
  
• Excess skin on the upper lid that hides the eyelid skin above the lashes
  
• Excessive wrinkling on the upper lid that gives the appearance of aging or fatigue
  
• Puffiness or bags under the lower lid that give the appearance of aging or fatigue
  
• Excess skin and wrinkles on the lower lids
  

What happens during the procedure?
During blepharoplasty, excess skin is removed from the upper and/or lower lids. Fat also can be contoured or removed from these areas. This skin and fat accumulate as part of the natural aging process and can cause a tired or aged appearance. Your surgeon may use advanced laser techniques to perform the surgery. Incisions will be hidden in the fine skin creases of the upper eyelids and/or beneath the eyelashes of the lower lid. In certain cases, the lower eyelid fat may be removed or contoured through an incision inside the eyelid so that no scar is visible. In some cases, laser resurfacing can be used to treat excessive wrinkled skin.

What is the expected outcome of the procedure?
This surgery results in a more youthful and rested appearance of the eyes and the softening of eyelid wrinkles. If vision was obstructed due to excess sagging of the skin, there should be an increase in peripheral vision.

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Initial consultation and testing
Plan to spend approximately two hours at the Facial Cosmetic Surgery Clinic during your first visit. This will allow you to have a comprehensive discussion with the surgeon.

• This is the time for you to get answers to your questions and for the surgeon to describe the procedures that may be available to you.
  
• An examination of the face, eyelids, and the surface of the eyes will be performed at this initial visit. This is necessary because so many facial cosmetic surgeries influence eyelid position and its function of protecting the eye. The information gathered during these tests will allow the surgeon to take whatever precautions are necessary to avoid complications that may result from cosmetic surgery of the face, especially in individuals with dry eyes.
  
• After these tests, your surgeon will be able to give you a clear-cut assessment as to whether this procedure is a good option for you.
  
• This also is the time to discuss the limitations and potential risks of the procedure. You should be prepared to discuss all major and minor medical conditions and provide a complete list of the medicines you take and their dosages. At this time, your surgeon will review exactly what will happen on the day of surgery.
  
• This is the time to establish realistic expectations of what the surgery will accomplish.

Preparing for surgery
Please refrain from taking any blood thinners like aspirin, ibuprofen and Vitamin E for 10 days prior to surgery. In addition, there should be no smoking two weeks prior to and two weeks following surgery, as smoking affects blood flow and healing.

Day of surgery
You should plan to spend 4–6 hours at the Kellogg Eye Center on the day of surgery. It is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day. Before going into surgery, your medications and recent health history will be reviewed. A family member or friend can be with you until you are brought to the operating room. As part of your preparation for surgery, you will be given either local or general anesthesia. Normally the procedure takes approximately 1–2 hours, depending on how many eyelids are being operated on. Before going home, you will be given complete postoperative instructions.

Follow-up care
Depending on the details of your surgical procedure, you will be seen either one day or one week after surgery, and then again as determined by your surgeon. You should be able to resume normal activities after one week. Should you have questions or concerns during your recovery period, please call the Facial Cosmetic Surgery Clinic at 734.763.9142.