Blepharoplasty
Located in Kirkland, WA to serve the Eastside Seattle area
Am I a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
The eyes are oftentimes the first feature that people notice. Over time, the eyelids may develop excess, sagging skin, wrinkles, and puffiness – all of which give a tired appearance. The natural aging process and genetics may contribute to these changes. Beyond aesthetics, there can be a functional reason for removing redundant upper eyelid skin, which occasionally can obstruct the upper portion of the visual field. Optimizing skin care or minimally invasive procedures such as laser treatment can be helpful, but if you are seeking a brighter, more youthful appearance of the eyelids, surgical management may be a desirable option.
Understanding Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to eliminate excess skin or protruding fat of the eyelids. This results in a refreshed, more youthful appearance. For the upper eyelid, an incision is made in a natural skin fold to remove skin and underlying fat, which can cause fullness at the area closer to the nose. For the lower eyelid, an incision can be made either on the inside or the outside of the lid, depending on if just fat or both skin and fat need to be removed. Depending on the elasticity of your lower lid, a lateral canthopexy suture may be recommended to strengthen the lid during the healing process. It is important to only remove the appropriate amount of tissue to have a beautiful, natural result.
Surgical Details
Every upper or lower lid blepharoplasty is designed differently, based on your anatomy. The procedure can be performed under intravenous sedation with local anesthesia or general anesthesia. Skin and fat are removed as needed from the eyelids – it is critical to not remove too much tissue to give a “hollowed out” look, which can become more apparent as one ages. The fat is conservatively removed and accessed through the orbicularis oculi muscle. If the lower lid needs to be strengthened, a reinforcing suture can be placed at the outer corner of the eyelid. The external incisions are closed with sutures under the skin. The procedure typically lasts between 1 and 2 hours.
Consultation Process
When you meet Dr. Remington, you will discuss your areas of concern. Your medical history will be reviewed and a physical examination will be performed. It is important to analyze the entire face, as brow position and changes to the midface can affect the appearance of the eyelids as well. A customized treatment plan will be developed and illustrated for you. The potential risks, recovery time, and cost of the procedure will be discussed. Around the time of your surgery, certain medications may need to be stopped to optimize your recovery.
Recovery and Results
Most patients experience swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort. Keeping the head elevated and using ice for several days will help to minimize swelling and bruising. A recovery of two weeks is typical, with no strenuous activity or heavy lifting. The sutures will be removed in one week. The scars on the eyelids generally heal very well.