Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that is performed to improve the appearance of the eyelids.
It can be done on both the upper and lower lids, and is used to remove excess skin and fatty deposits that may cause sagging of the upper eyelid or bags under the eyes. It can also be used to correct drooping eyelids by removing wrinkles or creases in this area.
The procedure typically takes two to three hours to complete, depending on how much work needs to be done. During the operation, an incision will be made either above the natural line of the upper lid or below the lashes of the lower lid. The surgeon then removes any excess fat and skin before suturing up the wound.
Most people who undergo an eyelid lift procedure report feeling more confident about their appearance after recovery has been completed. Recovery time varies from person to person but typically takes up to two weeks for patients undergoing blepharoplasty surgery.
In order for optimal results it’s important that you follow all instructions given by your doctor closely before and after your surgery.
How Does Eyelid Surgery Rejuvenate the Appearance Around Your Eyes?
The first signs of aging occur around the eyes. This is also the first place people look when talking to someone. Gravity and age cause the eyelid skin to droop, hood, and wrinkle. The smooth upper eyelid skin begins to disappear. Fat around the eyelids also changes. Excess fat can herniate forward from behind the eyes giving the appearance of bags. In others, the fat may shrink with age giving a hollowed appearance.
The position and health of the upper cheek will greatly influence the appearance of the lower eyelids. With age, upper cheek skin and fat begin to shrink and drop. Dark circles may develop under the lower eyelids as the cheek starts to drop with gravity. The result is a tiered and old appearance.
With eyelid surgery, known as blepharoplasty surgery, Dr. Anzarut can improve the appearance of drooping eyelids, bags around the eyes, and loss of fat. Related procedures can address the circles and drooping of the cheek. This leads to a more rested and youthful look.
Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a popular procedure for people in Vancouver who want to improve the appearance of their eyes. By removing excess skin, fat and muscle around the eyes, eyelid surgery can lead to a more alert and youthful look.
The benefits of eyelid surgery extend beyond just aesthetics; it can also reduce vision problems caused by drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes. The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis, which means it typically requires only local anesthesia.
It’s also a relatively quick process with minimal downtime after the operation. Patients should expect some bruising and swelling in the treated area that should subside within two weeks. Other potential side effects are minimal compared to other types of cosmetic surgery, so recovery time is often shorter than other procedures.
By taking advantage of these benefits, patients can enjoy improved vision along with a more rested and youthful appearance. Eyelid surgery can help people look their best while eliminating any vision problems that may have been caused by excess skin or puffiness around the eyes.
With proper care before and after surgery, patients can be sure they will get the best possible results from their procedure.
Candidates For Eyelid Surgery. Is Eyelid Surgery for me?
If you feel your eyelids are heavy or leave you with tired appearance you may be a good candidate for a blepharoplasty procedure. A consultation with Dr. Anzarut may be the best way to know. Dr. Anzarut will discusses what to expect before, during, and after the surgery.
Your safety is Dr. Anzarut’s primary concern. If you are in good physical health and do not have any medical conditions that would complicate recovery or increase the risk of surgery, you may be a candidate for eyelid surgery. Bleeding disorders, problems with dry eyes, uncontrolled hypertension, or LASIX surgery in the past 6 months may exclude you from having blepharoplasty.
In some patients drooping upper eyelids may be caused by loose skin on the forehead (brow ptosis) or stretched eyelid muscles (upper eyelid ptosis). This will be assessed during the consultation process. Dr. Anzarut can treat these conditions with either a brow ptosis or an eyelid ptosis procedure, if needed.
Contact Dr. Anzarut if you have any questions regarding your suitability and goals for eyelid surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Anzarut will discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment. Dr. Anzarut is also able to perform remote consultations.
Eyelid Surgery Procedure
Upper eyelid surgery (Upper eyelid blepharoplasty)
Dr. Anzarut will use a marking pen and calipers to mark the incisions and areas of fat excess or fat loss. Local anesthesia, freezing, is applied. Medicated eye drops are provided to reduce post-operative swelling. Some patients prefer an oral medication to help them relax during the procedure. If you think you may prefer this, let Dr. Anzarut know. To ensure the freezing has had its maximal effect your procedure will begin approximately 25 minutes after freezing.
Dr. Anzarut performs his skin incision at the level of the skin fold of the eyelids. This is usually 8 to 10 mm above the eyelashes. Excess skin, muscle and fat are removed as needed. In some patients fat is add to an area of fat loss and hollowing. If the eyelid muscles require repair, ptosis surgery, this completed. The skin incision is then stitched closed with non-dissolving sutures. Dr. Anzarut avoids dissolving on the skin because they create more scarring. The procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes and should be pain free.
Lower eyelid surgery (Lower eyelid blepharoplasty)
Similar to upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Anzarut will use a marking pen and calipers to mark the incisions, areas of fat excess, and areas of fat loss. Local anesthesia, freezing, is applied. Medicated eye drops are provided to reduce post-operative swelling. If you prefer, the procedure can also be performed with sedation or with general anesthesia (asleep). To ensure the freezing has had its maximal effect your procedure will begin 20 minutes after freezing.
If the addition of fat is required to treat hollowing, this is done first. Next, an incision is made on the inside of the eyelid or on the outside of the eyelid just below the eyelashes. Excess fat under the eyes is either removed or repositioned. If necessary, excess skin is removed and the upper check is lifted (midface lift). A stitch is placed to support the eyelid in order to avoid lower eyelid drooping. This is called a canthopexy. In some cases Dr. Anzarut will place a temporary suture between upper and lower eyelids. This is called a Frost stich. A lower lid blepharoplasty procedure takes one to two hours depending on the complexity of the individual case.
Recovery from Eyelid Surgery
The key to a fast and painless recovery is to minimize swelling and bruising. Dr. Anzarut takes special measures to shorten your recovery. If you have fat (fat grafting) added you will have significantly more swelling and bruising. It is important to follow the pre and post-procedure instructions.
2 Weeks Before Surgery
Before surgery you will be provided with a list of foods and medications to avoid (LINK). On the day of the procedure ensure you fill your prescriptions and bring them to the office with you. You may also benefit from ensuring you have ice packs ready for your journey home and the following 48 hours. You should have a pair of comfortable sunglasses to use during the week after the procedure. You should arrange a recliner or multiple pillows to allow you to sleep with your head up for the first two nights after surgery. Finally, you will need to arrange a ride to bring you home after the procedure.
The Day of Your Procedure
At the time of the procedure, medications are used to reduce bruising and swelling. After surgery it is very important to ice the area. Icing is done 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for the first 48 hours, while awake. Ice is applied indirectly with a cloth placed between the ice and the skin. Your head is kept elevated for the next 48 hours to help reduce swelling. This means you will benefit by sleeping with your head up. This can be done by sleeping in a lazy boy chair or with multiple pillows. Avoid any heavy lifting or straining for the first 3 weeks after surgery. This may increase the risk of bleeding.
The First Week After Surgery
The first week after surgery your eyelids may not close as tightly. To avoid problems with dry eyes Dr. Anzarut will advise you on the use of medications to keep the eyes clean and lubricated. You will use an ointment at night and liquid drops during the day. Your stiches are removed by Dr. Anzarut 5 to 7 days after surgery.
After The First Week
After the first week the swelling and bruising will have subsided. You can start to use makeup. At this point you can slowly resume normal activities. Heavy lifting or straining should still be avoided for 3 weeks. You can shower, however you should avoid swimming for 3 weeks.
Talk to Dr. Anzarut if you have any questions or concerns about the recovery period.
Eyelid Surgery Results
It may take several months for the final results to appear. With an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, most of the swelling and bruising is gone by the second week.
With lower eyelid blepharoplasty, the recovery period is more variable. It depends on the complexity of the procedure required. The results of eyelid surgery last a long time, however the aging process does continue.
It is important to take care of the area as it heals and sun protection will help maintain your results. Note that it may not always be possible to obtain optimal results with one procedure, and another operation may be required in a few cases. This is more common in patients requiring the addition or fat (fat grafting).
Risks and Complications of Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty, like all surgery, carries some risk. Complications are not common and usually minor when surgery is performed by a certified plastic surgeon (LINK).
Don’t be afraid to ask Dr. Anzarut any questions you may have about the procedure or recovery process.
Some of the possible side effects of Eyelid Surgery include temporary dry eyes, temporary difficulty closing the eyes, temporary sensitivity to bright light. Rarely patients can develop a cyst along the incision line. This can easily be removed under local anesthesia. Infection is very rare.
Lower eyelid surgery carries the additional risk of lower eyelid droop (ectropion). During lower eyelid surgery Dr. Anzarut places a special stitch (canthopexy) to avoid this problem.
Dr. Anzarut has published his research on the importance of this stitch in cosmetic lower eyelid blepharoplasty. It was published in the most highly regarded plastic surgery journal (the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery). This work is one of the most highly quoted research papers on the topic of lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
You can reduce the risks of complications by ensuring your surgeon is a certified plastic surgeon and by following your surgeon’s instructions closely after surgery.
Cost of Eyelid Surgery
The cost of eyelid surgery in Vancouver can vary greatly depending on the type and extent of the procedure. It is important to discuss pricing details with a board certified cosmetic surgeon prior to scheduling any treatment.
The cost of any procedure may include surgeon fees, facility costs, anesthesia costs, medications, and fees for medical tests. Purely cosmetic surgery is not usually covered by the medical services plan.
Patients should also factor in any additional expenses such as travel costs and lodging if they are travelling from out of town for their procedure. It is recommended to speak with Dr Anzarut about payment plans and insurance coverage options that may help cover some or all of these related expenses.
Cost of Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty)
If the excess skin and hooding of the upper eyelids is so severe that it blocks your peripheral vision the costs of surgery may be covered by the medical services plan (MSP). If damage or weakness of the eyelid muscles is the cause of your eyelid drooping (ptosis), the costs of surgery may be covered by the medical services plan (MSP).
If you decide to pay privately for upper eyelid blepharoplasty the cost may be between $2,000 to 3,000.
Cost of Lower Eyelid Surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty)
If the drooping of the lower lid leads to significant deformed or the tearing function of the eyes is impaired, the costs of surgery may be covered by the medical services plan (MSP).
If you decide to pay privately for lower eyelid blepharoplasty the cost ranges from $2,500 to $4,000.
Non-Surgical Alternatives To Eyelid Surgery
For those considering eyelid surgery in Vancouver, there are several non-surgical alternatives that can be explored.
One of the most popular is the use of injectables and fillers, such as Botox or Dysport, to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin around the eyes. These temporary treatments can provide an improvement in appearance that lasts for up to four months.
Another option is laser resurfacing, which uses a light-based technology to improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging around the eye area.
Finally, chemical peels can help to reduce fine lines and give skin a smoother and more even appearance. Chemical peels also help to reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.
All of these treatments are safe and effective at improving the look of eyelids without surgery.
Eyelid Surgery Before and After Photos
See Eyelid Surgery “Before and After” Photos
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Eyelid surgery, eyelid lift, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that involves removing excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. Candidates for this procedure are typically men and women who have droopy eyelids, bags under the eyes, or loose skin around the eyes that impairs vision.
Recovery times can vary from person to person, but most patients are able to return to normal activities within 7-10 days after surgery. It can take 2 weeks for bruising and swelling to subside completely.
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks associated with eyelid surgery, including bleeding, infection, scarring, and temporary or permanent vision changes. Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you before the procedure.
In most cases, eyelid surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. However, if the procedure is necessary to correct a medical issue, such as impaired vision, the medical services plan (MSP) may cover it.
The results of eyelid surgery can last for many years, but the aging process will eventually continue to affect the area around the eyes. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding sun exposure can help prolong the results of the procedure.
Eyelid surgery can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s preferences and the extent of the surgery.
The cost of eyelid surgery can vary depending on several factors, including the surgeon’s experience, the type of anesthesia used, and the extent of the surgery. On average, the cost of eyelid surgery in Vancouver can range from $2,000 to $4,000.
The incisions made during eyelid surgery are typically hidden within the natural creases of the eyelids, so any resulting scars should be minimal and easily concealed.
The length of the procedure depends on the extent of the surgery being performed. In general, upper eyelid surgery takes about 15-30 minutes, while lower eyelid surgery takes 1-2 hours.
Yes, eyelid surgery can be combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as a facelift or brow lift, to achieve a more comprehensive rejuvenation of the face. Your surgeon can discuss the best approach to achieving your desired results.
