EYELID SURGERY – Best Facial Rejuvenation Value for most Patients
Although eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) treats only a small area of the face, it has a dramatic impact on facial appearance. Dollar for dollar, blepharoplasty surgery has the best value of almost any facial plastic surgery due to the way we humans interact, eye to eye contact. Everything about our eyes is seen by others. The eyes do create a perception of how we look and feel to others….and there is very little we can do to hide their appearance. The eyes show age more than any other body part due to smiling, squinting, frowning, sun damage , and heredity.
As we age, we lose the crisp upper eyelid crease that conveys an open, welcoming appearance. As the eyelid skin loses its elasticity, the eyelid begins to fall, eventually even resting on the lashes. With the excess droopy skin, some fat is also lost creating a deflated appearance in some. Upper eyelid surgery helps restore a natural, youthful appearance by removing skin through an incision in the eyelid crease. In some cases, fat may also be removed or redistributed. Since the incision is carefully placed, it is practically undetectable once healed.
The lower eyelids are one of the first areas of the face to show age-related changes. Loose skin and muscle create a droopy appearance and excess fat becomes more prominent. An incision is hidden either inside the eyelid (if fat only needs to be removed) or just below the lashline. (when all tissues need to be treated) The muscle, tendon, and skin are reshaped and resuspended and fat is either removed, tucked back in, or repositioned over the bone, dependent upon the patient’s needs. In some patients, chemical peels or laser resurfacing can be done at the same time (only when incisions on the inside of the eyelid) to improve wrinkles and loose skin on the lower eyelid and crow’s feet area.
Many patients say the most surprising thing about eyelid surgery is the lack of pain during recovery. Most eyelid recovery is ‘social’, meaning you look swollen and bruised but feel fine.
Dr Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana