Blepharoplasty, also known as Eyelid Lift or Cosmetic Eye Surgery, refers to the procedures that tighten drooping skin of the upper eyelids, and remove the "puffiness" or "bags" beneath the eyes. This surgery is a boon for those who wish to "freshen" up a fatigued looking face, without undergoing a full Face Lift.

What Compells Eyelid Surgery?

I look tired but I am not! This is what I hear from patients who come to me for eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty. Most of them tell me that with age their upper eyelids have gotten heavy and droopy. This not only makes them look tired but also blocks their peripheral vision, especially during driving. While most people develop loose eyelid skin, bags, circles, and lines with age, there are those that are born with baggy or puffy lower eyelids. Their friends or coworkers often asked them if they did not sleep well the night before, or if they were working all night? This can not only be frustrating, but also affects self-esteem and social confidence.

How is Eyelid Surgery performed?

Blepharoplasty can be safely performed either under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia. It is very important to apply cold compresses to the eyes after surgery in order to lessen the bruising and the swelling. Sutures will usually be removed in a few days. It is not unusual to get some dryness of eyes after surgery. If this occurs, you can use natural tears to replenish your eye's moisture. There are people that usually do not close their eyes completely during sleep. If this is your case you should let your doctor know so s/he can plan for it with surgery and give you protective ointments. You should not wear contact lenses for two weeks after surgery, and you should protect your eyes from direct sun and harsh wind with sunglasses. It takes several months (6-10) for the eyes to reach their final shape and form; therefore you should be patient and have realistic expectations.

Every surgery carries potential risks and complications. The most common complication is lower eyelid retraction or malposition. Depending on its severity, this will either correct itself with massage and time or will need surgically correction. There is usually minimal blood loss with this procedure, but if bleeding continues after surgery it can potentially put pressure on the eye. Therefore, after surgery it is important to check ones vision intermittently for the first eight hours. If there is any change in your vision or light perception you should immediately notify your surgeon. Blindness is a very rare possibility with an incidence of about 4 in 10,000. There is risk of damage to other structures in and around the eye socket, but fortunately these are also rare.

How does Eyelid Surgery Help?

Upper eyelid surgery removes excess hanging skin and bulging fat. The incision falls in the natural eyelid fold and usually becomes inconspicuous after it has healed. Lower eyelid surgery incision is either placed under the lash lines or on the inner side of the eyelid, depending on whether extra skin needs to be removed or just fat.

Because eyelid surgery is delicate and medical conditions can affect its outcome, you need to be thoroughly evaluated by your surgeon. S/he will assess you for dryness of eyes, visual disturbances, diabetes, thyroid disease, loss of lower eyelid tightness, and inability to fully raise upper eyelids (ptosis). If needed you will also be evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Depending on your condition adjunctive procedures may need to be done along with your blepharoplasty. Please note that blepharoplasty does not address the sagginess of the eyebrows and if that is your main concern you might need a brow lift.

In the following sections Dr. Younai reviews your treatment options for Eyelid Rejuvenation Surgery or Blepharoplasty, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of Facial Plastic Surgery and Eyelid Surgery available in our photo gallery.

Dr. Younai is a board certified plastic surgeon who receives patients at the California Center for Plastic Surgery from the Northern as well as the Southern California region. Some of these cities include Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Pasadena, Glendale, Valencia, Palmdale, Fresno, and Oxnard.