Eyelid Surgery Questions
Serving Fort Collins, Northern Colorado & Cheyenne, Wyoming
Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
A good candidate for eyelid surgery is a person with:
- A perpetually tired or sad look due to eyelid appearance
- Extra upper eyelid skin that droops or sags, or has an extra fold
- Puffiness or "bags" under the eyes
- Peripheral vision impaired by extra eyelid skin
- A hollow look or dark circles under the eyes
You should also be prepared to discuss full medical history, including
- Thyroid disease
- High blood pressure
- Dry eyes
- Other conditions that may affect the eyelid surgery
What results can I expect from eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery can correct droopiness of the upper eyelids and improve puffiness of the lower eyelids. "Bags" under the eyes can be removed, and in some cases the hollows under the eyes can be filled. Eyelid surgery does not correct crow's feet or wrinkles around the eyes, per se, but those can be addressed at the same time.
How is eyelid surgery performed?
Eyelid surgery is performed by removing excess skin and fat from the eyelids. Incisions are placed in the crease of the upper lid or just under the lashes in the lower lid. To correct hollows under the eyes, sometimes fat is transplanted from the lower lids into the hollows. Eyelid muscles might also be repaired to help them hold the eyelids appropriately open.
Does eyelid surgery affect vision?
If you suffered from extreme droopiness of the eyelids, blepharoplasty can improve the scope of your vision. There may be a slight, temporary effect on your vision, characterized by difficulty focusing or light sensitivity.
Can I have both my upper and lower eyelids done at the same time?
If you'd like improvement of both upper and lower lids, it is recommended that you have both sets of eyelids done at the same time to consolidate your healing time.
How long does eyelid surgery take?
Eyelid surgery takes from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the level of correction necessary.
Will I be awake for the procedure?
Upper eyelid surgery is generally done with local anesthetic and a mild sedative, so you will be conscious, but relaxed and you may not remember the procedure. If the surgery is more complicated or is combined with other facial procedures, we recommend a light general anesthetic.
What is the recovery period for eyelid surgery?
Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Duncan strongly recommends an intense 3-day recovery where your attention is focused solely on healing. You should be able to return to work and normal routines within a week. By this time, most of the bruising and swelling and discomfort will be gone. You may need to use eye drops to keep your eyes moist, and may benefit from periodically reclining with ice packs on your eyes.
Will there be scars after blepharoplasty?
Anytime you have an incision, you will have scars, but blepharoplasty incisions are placed in regions that hide them well. After about six weeks the lines fade considerably and after a year are almost invisible.
If you desire more information about eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), call or email our cosmetic surgeon at the Plastic Surgery Associates in Fort Collins, Colorado to schedule your initial eye surgery consultation today.
970.493.7445
1701 E. Prospect Rd.
Fort Collins, CO 80525
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