Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is procedure that treats the wrinkles and droopiness of the of the upper eyelid or puffy under eye bags.
The procedure will remove excess fat, skin, and muscle or can add volume through fat transfers.
During a blepharoplasty consultation, prospective patients will meet with Dr. Edwin Williams to discuss their goals and expectations and take a thorough medical history.
Dr. Williams will explain all details of the surgery including the technique, the anesthesia, the facility, the costs, and the risks.
This will ensure all patients feel comfortable with the procedure as well as knowledgeable about what happens before, during, and after.
Blepharoplasty may be performed in a surgeon’s office-based facility, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital.
At The Williams Center, blepharoplasty procedures are performed at the New England Laser & Cosmetic Surgery Center in Latham, New York, just outside of Albany.
Blepharoplasty may be performed with either local anesthesia and sedation or with general anesthesia.
It is the specific surgeons’ decision on what type of anesthesia to use for the procedure.
First, incisions are made, either in the fold of the upper eyelid or in the inside of the lower eyelid.
Excess fat is then removed, and skin and muscles may be trimmed. Unless the patient wants to improve volume in their eyelids, in which case fat transfer is conducted.
Finally, very fine sutures are then used to close the incisions.
Blepharoplasty typically takes between one and two hours to complete.
Patients will be able to return home shortly after the procedure.
The incisions made during blepharoplasty will result in scars, though they tend to be well-concealed.
They are made in the fold of the upper eyelid or in the inside of the lower eyelid.
While the scars may appear slightly pink at first, they will fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line within six or more months.
Some tightness and soreness of the eyelids can occur, causing possible discomfort.
However, pain medication can be prescribed to help control any discomfort that patients experience.
Patients may experience some tightness or soreness of the eyelids right after surgery which can be controlled with prescription medication.
In addition, some dryness, itchiness, burning, excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and blurred or double vision can occur during the first week.
To help reduce swelling and bruising, it is best to keep the head elevated as much as possible and use cold compresses during the first few days.
Bruising may take anywhere from ten days to two weeks to fully fade. Stitches are usually removed within six days, while reading may be resumed within two to three days. Patients who wear contact lenses may do so after two or more weeks.
Patients can typically return to work within seven to 10 days, though more strenuous activities and alcohol consumption should be avoided for about three weeks.
It’s best to prepare for someone to drive you home after your surgery and help you for the first day or two after surgery.
Most patients find that they can return to work and most other normal activities within seven to 10 days.
However, every case is different, and some patients may need more time than others.
Vigorous exercise and strenuous activities should be postponed for about three weeks after your surgery.
It is important for your body to properly recovery from the procedure before any kind of exertion.
Potential complications that may occur after eyelid surgery are:
bleeding, difficulty in completely closing the eyes, dry eyes, infection, pulling down of the lower lids, slight asymmetry in healing or scarring, swelling at the corners of the eyelids, temporary blurred or double vision, and whiteheads.
Dr. Williams will discuss any potential complications during the initial consultation.
Blepharoplasty procedure is performed solely for cosmetic purposes are typically not covered by insurance.
However, some degree of coverage may be available in cases where drooping of the upper lids interferes with vision.
The cost of eyelid surgery will depend on whether or not the procedure is covered by insurance.
Financing is available for many plastic surgery procedures. For more information about financing or Blepharoplasty please give us a call at 1-800-742-2797 or contact us today.
Not all surgeons are board-certified.
Surgeons who are board-certified are highly specialized in a specialty area or surgery type.
They are exceptionally committed to professionalism, quality patient care, and lifelong learning through a neutral, third-party entity that represents top-tier surgeons.
Board-certified surgeons prove their expertise through extensive specialty-specific training and passing rigorous testing.
All surgeons at The Williams Center are board certified by the American Board of Surgery.
A blepharoplasty consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is an optimal time to have your plastic surgery questions answered.
To schedule a blepharoplasty consultation with Dr. Williams, contact us today.