Blepharoplasty, also known as an eyelid lift, is a procedure aimed at correcting heavy or sagging eyelids. Eyelid surgery is one of the top five most popular cosmetic surgeries. This surgery can be performed on either the upper or lower eyelids.
Eyelid surgery patients at our Kalispell, MT, plastic surgery practice often want to know how to improve the appearance of their eyelids due to early signs of aging. In very severe cases, extra skin of the upper eyelids can lead to loss of peripheral vision. If you’re wondering, is blepharoplasty right for me, there are several considerations to explore.
What is cosmetic blepharoplasty (eyelid lift)?
Both upper and lower blepharoplasties are performed as cosmetic surgery. The procedure addresses many common signs of aging, including:
- Sagging or excess upper eyelid skin
- Sagging lower eyelid skin
- Bags under the lower eyelids
An experienced board-certified plastic surgeon will ensure you get a natural result that will concentrate on your specific cosmetic concerns.
What is functional blepharoplasty (eyelid lift)?
An upper blepharoplasty is the only eyelid lift that is considered functional. This procedure can improve your visual field by removing extra skin that obstructs the patient’s vision. It typically requires a referral from your eye doctor and specific testing to determine if you are losing vision from overhanging dkin or heavy eyelids.
Am I a good candidate for an eyelid lift?
Men and women with realistic expectations about the procedure and who are physically healthy are usually the best candidates for an eyelid lift. The procedure won’t erase wrinkles or lift your eyebrows, so having reasonable expectations for the surgery is helpful.
On the other hand, we often combine eyelid lift surgery with other rejuvenating procedures, such as a brow lift or facelift to enhance your overall results. We discuss other facial rejuvenation options in this related blog post.
Most of our patients who seek eyelid lifts are in their mid-30s or older, but younger patients with droopy or baggy eyelids may also be good candidates for this procedure.
How is eyelid lift surgery done?
This surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under local or general anesthesia. The incisions are placed in specific areas to make them very discreet and hard to notice. Patients can expect their eyelid surgery results to last for at least 10 years.
How long does it take to recover from eyelid surgery?
For the recovery period, patients can expect moderate swelling and bruising, which typically dissipates within 7 to 10 days. Stitches are left in place for a week, and once these are removed, most patients look and feel back to normal.
What do you look like after eyelid surgery?
You can expect to look younger, more refreshed, and alert after eyelid surgery. We encourage you to view real blepharoplasty patient results in our gallery of before-and-after photos.
At Mountain West Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on giving you a natural result, and our compassionate staff will help make sure your experience is comfortable and personalized. Contact us today to schedule your consultation or call us at (406) 609-0210.
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