Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

What is Eyelid Surgery (Eye Lift)?

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that is performed to improve the appearance of the eyelids and restore youth back into the face.

Eyelid surgery can be performed on either the upper or lower lids, or in other cases, both.

Ideal Candidates:

Generally, ideal candidates for eyelid surgery should be in standard good health.

• Individuals who do not have a life threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for eyelid surgery
• Individuals without serious eye conditions

Remember that the eyelids are part of the face. The appearance of a drooping upper lid may also be due to relaxation of the forehead skin and eyebrow. Sometimes, a drooping eyelid is caused by stretching of one of the upper eyelid muscles, the levator.

Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Monica Tadros, M.D., F.A.C.S will evaluate your anatomy thoroughly to determine the causes of your eyelid appearance and decide which techniques/procedures are the right options for you.

How Eyelid Surgery is Performed

Incisions are camouflaged in the natural lines of the eyelids and appear scarless – in the creases of the upper eyelids and just below the lashes in the lower lids, if skin must be removed. If it is only fat that requires basic removal rather than excess skin, then true Scarless Blepharoplasty can be performed from the undersurface of the eyelid through a ‘transconjunctival’ approach. During eyelid surgery, excess fat is repositioned or removed from the upper and lower eyelids. Excess skin and muscle may also be removed to correct drooping eyelids or bags below the eyes. Very fine sutures are used to close the incisions and a follow-up appointment is necessary for check-up and removal.

Eyelid Surgery Process Breakdown

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incision

The incision lines for eyelid surgery are strategically designed and placed so resultant scars will be well concealed within the natural structures of the eyelid region.

The upper eyelid can be corrected through an incision within the natural crease of the eyelid. This allows for removal or repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles, and removal of excess skin.

Conditions of the lower eyelid may be corrected with an incision just below the lower lash line. Through this incision, excess skin in the lower eyelid is removed. Again, the excess fat can be repositioned or removed.

A transconjunctival incision, created on the inside of the lower eyelid, is an alternate technique that is used to correct lower eyelid conditions and redistribute or remove excess fat. With this technique, no skin is removed.

Step 3 – Closing the incisions

Eyelid incisions typically are closed with:

• Removable sutures
• Skin adhesives
• Surgical tape

Dr. Tadros may suggest the use of a laser or chemical peel to reduce discoloration of the lower eyelids.

Step 4 – See the optimal results and added benefits

The results of eyelid surgery will appear gradually as swelling and bruising subside to reveal a smooth, better-defined eyelid and the surrounding region, resulting in an overall alert and rejuvenated appearance.

Scarless (Transconjunctival) Blepharoplasty

If eyelid surgery is being performed to remove only fat from the lower eyelid, the best plastic surgeon in South Jersey may make an incision inside the lower lid instead of below the lashes. Dissolvable sutures are then used to close the incision. Transconjunctival blepharoplasty is a painless, relatively quick technique that removes bags and puffiness for a naturally refreshed look.

In the lower eyelids, fat is removed with the laser through the back of the eyelid with no cutting of the skin and no visible scar. There is often minimal bruising, or the possibility of none at all, resulting in a refreshed look in just a matter of days. This can be combined with the “pinch” technique, which removes excess skin, as well as CO2 laser skin resurfacing to eliminate fine wrinkles.

These procedures are performed in our state-of-the-art office in the surgical suite using local anesthesia. A board-certified anesthesiologist gives intravenous sedation to guarantee your safety and comfort.

After the procedure, there is no visible scarring. Patients undergoing this procedure leave appearing younger, with thicker and more elastic skin.

Most patients tend to resume work and regular day to day activities in about 7 to 10 days.