Blepharoplasty
What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery or an eyelid lift, is a surgical procedure that can rejuvenate upper and/or lower eyelids. Cosmetic eyelid surgery addresses excess skin, puffiness, bags, and other signs of age and exhaustion for a more refreshed and youthful look. This procedure can also be performed to improve impaired vision caused by drooping eyelids.
The delicate skin around the eyes is often the first area to reveal signs of aging. With blepharoplasty, our plastic surgeon—Kevin Cook, MD—can eliminate excess skin and fat deposits, as well as tighten lax musculature, to give the area around your eyes a smoother, more rested appearance. Each eyelid surgery is customized to suit the unique needs of the patient for results that look natural and balanced. If you are considering eyelid surgery, we invite you to explore the informative sections below, or contact our practice today.
- Eyelid Surgery Benefits
- Asian Eyelid Surgery
- Eyelid Surgery Procedure
- Eyelid Surgery Recovery & Results
- Eyelid Surgery Cost
- Complementary Procedures
Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids, and can provide benefits such as:
- Removal of excess skin and fat
- Smoother, firmer appearance to the eyelids
- Reduced appearance of under-eye bags
- Refreshed, energized appearance
- Unobstructed vision
Dr. Cook customizes each blepharoplasty surgery to achieve your goals and address your cosmetic concerns. Blepharoplasty is commonly performed on both men and women, and Dr. Cook’s experience with facial aesthetics can provide you with youthful and natural results. To discover how blepharoplasty can help rejuvenate the areas around your eyes, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Cook today.
During the consultation process, Dr. Cook will analyze your medical history, perform a thorough physical exam, and determine whether you are an ideal candidate for eyelid surgery. One-on-one conversations such as these give Dr. Cook an opportunity to carefully listen to your individual expectations and desires. By focusing on patient education, Dr. Cook can help you to make well-informed choices about your health and your body. If Dr. Cook determines that you are a good candidate for blepharoplasty, he can then design a customized surgical approach to meet your needs.
Asian Eyelid Surgery
For individuals who lack a prominent upper eyelid crease—which is considered a common feature of asian eyelids—Dr. Cook can use a specialized type of blepharoplasty called double eyelid surgery to create a fold and expose a portion of the concealed lid. While a traditional blepharoplasty primarily addresses signs of aging through the removal of excess skin and fat, double eyelid surgery aims to contour the eyelid with minimal skin removal and unique suturing techniques for a look the patient finds more aesthetically pleasing. It is important to choose an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Cook for double eyelid surgery, as it is a delicate procedure that must be performed with precision to maintain a balanced, natural-looking end result. If you are curious about how double eyelid surgery can enhance your appearance, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cook to discuss your options.
Eyelid Surgery Procedure
Depending on your needs and goals, blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. With upper eyelid surgery, an incision is made in the crease of the eyelid, excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is smoothed and tightened; with lower eyelid surgery, an incision is made below the lower eyelashes, excess skin and fat is removed, and the area is sculpted for a smoother, firmer look. In either case, the location of the incisions are in very inconspicuous areas, which should render any residual scarring virtually invisible. Dr. Cook will help you decide which blepharoplasty technique can best suit your needs during the consultation process. In most cases, blepharoplasty is performed as an outpatient surgery, utilizes local or general anesthesia, and takes about one to three hours to complete.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery and Results
Immediately following your blepharoplasty you can expect some mild bruising and swelling. Dr. Cook typically lubricates the eyes to increase your comfort and can prescribe oral medication to ease soreness. In the days following surgery, some patients may experience temporary light sensitivity, blurry vision, tearing, or double vision. Most blepharoplasty patients return to work or their daily activities within three to five days. Dr. Cook recommends you avoid strenuous exercise and activity for two to three weeks during the healing process. With eyelid surgery, you can experience long-lasting results that give your eyes a much more refreshed and youthful appearance.
Eyelid Surgery Cost
The exact pricing for eyelid surgery is unique to each patient, based on the specific details of his or her treatment plan. If you would like to find out how much your blepharoplasty would cost, it is important to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cook. During this appointment, he can assess your needs, develop a customized approach, and provide an accurate quote for surgery. Your total cost for blepharoplasty is determined by:
- The complexity of the procedure performed on each eye
- Postoperative medications
- Anesthesiology and hospital fees
- Surgeon’s fees
- Use of any dermal fillers
If you are planning to compare prices between plastic surgeons, you should note that more experienced plastic surgeons typically charge higher fees. Additionally, the geographic location of each practice can also affect the pricing of surgery.
For patients who are interested in plastic surgery financing, we conveniently accept payment through CareCredit®. For approved applicants, CareCredit® offers affordable loans and flexible payment plans that can make treatment more fiscally accessible.
Combining Eyelid Surgery with Complementary Procedures
Many of our patients at Midland Plastic Surgery Center who are interested in achieving comprehensive facial rejuvenation choose to combine blepharoplasty with additional surgical procedures and cosmetic treatments. Most commonly, eyelid surgery is performed along with:
- Facelift surgery (with or without a neck lift) to rejuvenate the lower two-thirds of the face, jawline, and neck.
- Brow lift surgery to renew the appearance of the top third of the face by elevating a drooping brow line, smoothing horizontal creasing, and reducing vertical furrows between the brows. A brow lift can also treat hooding of the upper eyelids, which can further improve the outcome of a blepharoplasty.
- BOTOX® Cosmetic injections to relax the muscles that create facial wrinkles and creases.
- Dermal fillers (i.e. JUVÉDERM®) to add volume to the cheeks, plump the lips, and/or smooth wrinkles and creases. Cosmetic fillers can also be used to fill hollows around the eyes.
- Laser skin resurfacing treatments to improve skin quality, tone, texture, and elasticity.
During your consultation, Dr. Cook can discuss which additional cosmetic options could help you achieve the greatest degree of aesthetic improvement. His focus is always on creating results that appear natural and not overly “done.”
Contact Us
To learn more about blepharoplasty and how this surgery can help you achieve your cosmetic goals, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cook, please contact our office today.