Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Information, Before and After Photos, Surgery
Droopy eyelids or puffy lower eyelids often run in families, are as common in men as in women and are usually the first stigmata of facial aging. Protruding fatty tissue from your eye sockets that causes bags can be an inherited trait that shows up early in life, as well as the result of aging. Eyelid skin thins and stretches as it ages, becomes loose and with time, muscles weaken, and the fat that cushions the eyeball moves forward around the eyes. Puffiness results when a fat pad that cushions the eye begins to pull away from the bone of the lower eye and sags. Gravity has its effects on the eyes as well. Sagging upper eyelids may result in hooding where upper lids become heavier and fuller. Blepharoplasty can reduce droopy or hooded eyelids, restore the contour to the lids and eliminate the protruding fat bags under the eyes. In some cases, eyelid surgery may also correct severe hooding of the upper eyelids called ptosis, which can obstruct peripheral vision and reduce the range of upward vision.
The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation. For upper eyelid surgery, we make an elliptical incision across the eyelid crease, in the natural skin fold. We draw a line to identify the upper edge of the skin to be excised, which will eventually become the scar that remains. Excess skin and fatty tissue are removed along with a thin strip of muscle to give the eyelid crease more definition. The incision is closed with a single layer of sutures, usually hiding the scar within the natural fold of the upper eyelids.
The incision for the upper eyelid is in the natural eyelid crease and extends into the crow’s feet. Excess fat and skin is removed and the eyebrow can be positioned higher if so determined prior to the surgery. The lower eyelid incision is hidden inside the lower eyelids. Through this incision, the excess fat is trimmed. The incision is closed with self-dissolving sutures or it is left to heal on its own. If there is excess skin after re-draping of the lower eyelids, that skin is pinched with a special forceps and then excised. Tear troughs, or deep grooves that form when there is an obvious demarcation between the lower eyelid area and the cheeks can be improved by moving around fatty deposits, removing excess fat or replacing fat.
The overall result of eyelid rejuvenation is a subtle but remarkable change that produces a more youthful and less tired appearance.
New York plastic surgeon Eric Sadeh offers eyelid surgery, browlifts, facelift surgery, rhinoplasty and other facial plastic surgery procedures. Located in New York City serving Manhattan, Queens and Forest Hills.