Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery (also known as an eyelid lift) can correct these signs of aging and help you look young again. If your upper eyelids droop enough to impair your vision, your surgery might even be covered by insurance.
Our eyes are arguably the most expressive feature on our face. But as we age, we lose some of that expressiveness as the upper eyelids sag or bags form underneath the eyes. Even when we aren’t tired or sad, we look like we are.
Dr. Steve Montante has many years of experience performing successful eyelid surgeries in Richmond. People who have had an eyelid lift report feeling more confident and attractive. Looking younger has even helped them in business, where ageism can be a problem.
Eyelid surgery is often combined with other facial procedures, such as a brow lift to rejuvenate the forehead and brows or a facelift to create a more youthful look on the mid to lower face as well. Others opt for laser skin resurfacing to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles or injectables to correct deeper wrinkles.
What is an Eyelid Surgery?
In our office in Richmond, eyelid surgery can be done on the upper eyelids alone, the lower eyelids alone, or on both the upper and lower lids. It can correct:
- Overhanging upper eyelids
- Bags under the eyes
- Fine wrinkles around the eyes
- Drooping lower eyelids
Dr. Montante will spend time with you during your initial consultation to hear your concerns and goals, as well as answer your questions. He will examine your eyes and recommend a surgical plan for you. He will also review your medical history to determine if you have any eye conditions. If you have chronic dry eye or glaucoma, for example, you may have to take special care after your surgery, or Dr. Montante may recommend that you not have blepharoplasty.
If your eyelids are in the way of your vision, you may need to see a physician who can perform specific tests to satisfy your insurance company’s requirements. If your eyelids do not impair vision or otherwise cause a medical problem for your eyes, the surgery will be considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance.
Dr. Montante will advise you of all preparations to take prior to your operation. If you are a smoker, for example, you will need to stop for a period of time before surgery.
What Should You Expect from Blepharoplasty?
At our office in Richmond, eyelid surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using either sedation or general anesthesia. The procedure takes approximately 2-1/2 hours depending on your particular case.
Upper Eyelid Surgery – This procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. Sometimes, muscle must also be removed, but this does not impair the movement of your lids.
When this upper eye area is tighter, your eyes will come out of hiding and look younger. Fine lines and wrinkles around the upper lids are also reduced.
The incisions are placed in the creases of the eyelid, where the scars will be hidden. Dr. Montante will measure the exact amount of skin to remove in order to tone the area so that it looks natural and not overdone. The incisions are then sutured and will be removed a few days after surgery.
Lower Eyelid Surgery – This procedure is very delicate and requires the skill and experience of a surgeon like Dr. Montante. Incisions are made either just below the lower eyelashes or on the underside of the lower eyelid. The pockets of fat that have created eye bags are removed, and if the lower lid has become lax, it will also be tightened. Sometimes, this requires tightening of the tendon that supports the eyelid.
For some patients, the fat removed from the lower lids can be treated and used to fill the tear troughs. This is the area below the lower lids where you may have dark circles. It can become sunken and saggy, losing youthful volume. Using the fat to fill that area enhances the more youthful appearance of your eyes.
Recovering from Eyelid Surgery in Richmond
Lower eyelid sutures will dissolve on their own. Upper eyelid sutures will be removed within a week. The scars are usually barely visible within 3 months.
You should be able to resume normal activities within just 2-3 days, but you might prefer to take a week off. The full results of your surgery will appear within 2-3 months.
Expect to feel some mild post-operative discomfort, but this can be managed with oral pain medication. Swelling can be reduced with cold compresses and elevating your head during sleep. Lubricating eye drops can also help.
The majority of our patients say that recovery from eyelid lift is easier than they anticipated. Look younger fast with little downtime or discomfort by receiving eyelid surgery in Richmond. Call us today to schedule a consultation to find out more about blepharoplasty.