What is eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery improves the eyelids’ appearance for either cosmetic or functional reasons. During this procedure, the surgeon will make an incision on the upper or lower eyelids. Then they can reposition fat deposits, tighten muscles, or remove excess skin.
During the aging process, muscles that support the eyelids gradually weaken, resulting in droopy upper lids or undereye bags. Removing excess skin from the eyelids counters the effects of aging. Not only does eyelid surgery address cosmetic concerns, but it can also enhance your peripheral vision and improve various aspects of your visual field.
If you want to learn more about eyelid reshaping, or schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon in the greater Lehigh Valley region who does eyelid reshaping, contact St. Luke’s Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Our team can provide you with the necessary guidance and expertise to achieve your aesthetic goals.
Overview
Cosmetic eyelid surgery candidates typically include adults with:
- Puffy upper eyelids
- Sagging skin that impairs vision
- Loose skin that affects natural contours
- Fine wrinkles under lower eyelids
- Under-eye bags
Cosmetic eyelid surgery enhances your features and can correct issues impacting your vision. So whether you want to rejuvenate your eyelids' appearance or correct functional problems, eyelid surgery offers tailored solutions to meet your needs.
Schedule a consultation with a St. Luke’s blepharoplasty surgeon in the greater Lehigh Valley region to determine if eyelid surgery is right for you.
Getting eyelid surgery can positively impact your well-being and self-confidence. Here are several of the most commonly report benefits:
- More youthful, refreshed features
- Improved vision (reduced sagging or excessive eyelid skin)
- Enhanced ability to convey accurate facial expressions
In addition to these benefits, eyelid surgery offers additional advantages by improving peripheral vision and reducing eye fatigue. As a result, cosmetic eyelid surgery can improve your body image and give you a more balanced appearance.
As with all surgeries, eyelid surgery has risks, including:
- Dry or irritated eyes
- Difficulty closing your eyes
- Scarring
- Damage to your eye muscles
- Temporarily blurred vision
Your surgeon will review a complete list of risks before getting your consent.
Before the procedure
In the time leading up to your eyelid surgery at St. Luke’s Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, you can take steps to make your procedure as safe as possible. These include discussing the following topics at your surgical consultation:
- Goals and expectations
- Surgical options
- Results
- Recovery
As part of your consultation, your surgeon will also do a complete evaluation, including:
- Ordering lab work
- Taking “before” photos
- Assessing medical conditions, allergies, and medical limitations
- Reviewing medications, supplements, alcohol, tobacco, or drug use
A week before the procedure, you can prepare at home by:
- Filling prescriptions
- Purchasing necessary medical supplies
- Coordinating transportation and meals
- Staying hydrated
You should arrive early on the day of your procedure to avoid travel delays.
During the procedure
Upper eyelid surgery
In upper eyelid surgery, the surgeon will make small incisions above the eyes, targeting puffy skin or excess fat on the upper eyelids. This procedure is best for individuals with upper eyelids that are loose, wrinkled, or puffy. Upper eyelid surgery can even improve vision by addressing drooping in front of the eyes.Lower eyelid surgery
In lower eyelid surgery, the surgeon will make small incisions below the eyes, targeting puffy skin or excess fat on the lower eyelids. This procedure is best for individuals with lower eyelids that sag, wrinkle, or have under-eye bags. While under-eye bags can create a tired appearance, it's important to consider that bone structure may also be a contributing factor.Double eyelid surgery
In double eyelid surgery, also known as an eye lift and eye-bag surgery, the surgeon will make small incisions above and below the eyes, targeting puffy skin and excess fat on the entire eye area. This procedure is best for individuals who aren’t happy with their upper or lower eyelids.After the procedure
Though eyelid surgery isn’t typically painful, you may experience swelling or bruising. As you heal and your eyelids settle, your results will become increasingly apparent. While some creasing may occur due to aging, the skin and tissue removed during your surgery shouldn’t grow back.
After the procedure, you may spend several hours in a recovery room for monitoring by your surgeon. As you progress through the recovery process, there are several key milestones to anticipate:
- Day of surgery: You’ll likely experience blurry vision and have gauze on your eyes, so make sure you have a friend or family member assist you. When you get home, use ice packs on your eyes for 10 minutes every hour to minimize swelling.
- 1 to 5 days after surgery: Use ice packs on your eyes 4 to 5 times daily to continue minimizing swelling. You may experience numbness for several days, but it will gradually subside. And if you’re exposed to sunlight, it’s important to wear sunglasses.
- 1 to 2 weeks after surgery: You may resume regular activities as your pain and swelling allows. However, you should avoid situations that dry out your eyes, such as excessive TV, computer, and smartphone use. At approximately 2 weeks post-surgery, you can introduce light makeup into your routine.
- 2 weeks after surgery: You can reintroduce light makeup and, if applicable, resume wearing contacts lenses. However, you should still wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from sun and wind.
- 6 weeks after surgery: Your eyes should be fully healed, revealing your final results.