If You’re Considering Eyelid Surgery…
Like all the features of your face, the area surrounding your eyes changes as you age. As you grow older, the supportive tissue and the muscle below the eyelids weaken. The tissues begin to droop, and the fat layer behind the weakened tissue prolapses forward, causing puffiness. Collagen and elastin in the skin weaken with age as well, which causes sagging.
You may feel that you look much older, more tired or less lively because of these eyelid changes. Eyelid surgery restores youthful firmness by lifting and defining the eye area. To learn more about this facial procedure, please call the Leawood, KS, plastic surgery practice of Dr. J. Douglas Cusick at 913-661-0202.
What does Eyelid Surgery do?
Also called blepharoplasty, the procedure rejuvenates your eyelids. It corrects:
- Drooping upper eyelids
- Puffy upper eyelid skin
- Puffy bags below the eyes
The technique can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. It does not soften crow’s feet, dark circles, or a sagging forehead or brow. It is a highly popular cosmetic procedure with a relatively rapid recovery and a long-standing record of effectiveness.
Eyelid Surgery Procedure, Recovery and Results
The upper eyelid procedure: An incision is made in the crease of the upper eyelid. The scar left behind by the incision will be well-hidden in this fold of skin. Through this incision, Dr. Cusick removes a strip of excess skin and a strip of the excess muscle. He will redistribute and/or remove some of the fat deposits. The incision is closed with sutures.
The contour of the eye and the natural fold of the eyelid are much more defined after this procedure. You will be able to apply eye cosmetics easily, whereas puffy upper eyelids often make this a messy process. Your upper eyelids will no longer bulge out over the eyelashes. You may even be able to see better, if your upper eyelids were interfering with your vision.
The lower eyelid procedure: An incision is made along A) the exterior of the eyelid, along the lower lash line, or B) on the interior of the lower eyelid. The right incision depends on whether excess skin is being removed in addition to excess fat. If skin does not need to be removed, then the interior eyelid incision is an option. Through these incisions, fat is repositioned and some fat may be removed to eliminate under-eye bags. A strip of excess skin may be removed as well. The incisions are closed with sutures.
The blepharoplasty recovery: How you feel after the procedure depends in part on whether general or local anesthesia is used. With general anesthesia, you are completely asleep and you may need a little more time to recover from grogginess. Local anesthetic numbs the area surrounding the eyes and allows you to feel deeply relaxed, but you may not fall asleep.
Pain, bruising and swelling around the eyes and eyelids are all normal aspects of recovery. We will advise you on using a cold compress to keep swelling and bruising down. We will have prescribed pain medications prior to the procedure, which you will have already filled. Aftercare instructions will include downtime from strenuous activity and heavy lifting. The bruising and swelling will go away over the following 7-10 days.
Results: Many patients get blepharoplasty just once and are happy with the results for years. Of course, this procedure cannot stop the aging process and the effects of time, but it will turn back the clock on the signs of aging. It is possible to perform another eyelid procedure in the future, although many patients do not find this necessary.
Combining an Eyelid Lift with other Facial Rejuvenation
It is possible that your upper eyelids are being pushed down from a sagging brow, causing the eyelids to look aged. A brow lift may be the right way to lift the entire upper third of the face. It can be combined with blepharoplasty. A facelift may also be combined with blepharoplasty. Talk to Dr. Cusick about all of the options available to you.
Find Out if You are an Eyelid Surgery Candidate
To learn more about eyelid surgery in Leawood, Kansas, please call the plastic surgery practice of Dr. J. Douglas Cusick at 913-661-0202, or use the contact form to email us. Dr. Cusick will examine your eyelids to determine if you are a good candidate for blepharoplasty. He takes all the time that is necessary to answer your questions and make sure you have the information you need.