An increasing number of men and women who contend with droopy upper eyelids and lower lid bags are achieving the refreshed look they desire from eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty. Omaha, Nebraska-based Aesthetic Surgical Images has used this safe, effective procedure to help hundreds of patients transform their appearance from tired and weary to youthful and energetic.
Blepharoplasty: Who needs it?
Call 800-331-5001 or Request a complimentary cosmetic consultation with one of our highly-qualified plastic surgeons at Aesthetic Surgical Images to discuss how blepharoplasty can help you look years younger.
*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Understanding Blepharoplasty
In Omaha, blepharoplasty removes excess skin of the upper eyelids and bags of the lower eyelids, resulting in a refreshed, more alert appearance. Specifically, it treats:
- Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or impairs vision
- Fatty deposits that cause puffiness
- Bags and dark circles under the eyes
During your consultation, your doctor will perform a full examination to determine if you are a good candidate for a surgery eyelid. You’ll also be able to visualize realistic surgical results using our state-of-the-art computer imaging system. Although images are no assurance of results, this will give you a good idea of what eyelid surgery can do for you. Sometimes, our doctors discover that patients are better suited for less-invasive procedures like injectables that smooth out wrinkles and plump up the skin. But, for individuals with more advanced signs of aging, eyelid surgery is the most effective way to recapture a more youthful look.
Your Blepharoplasty Procedure
Blepharoplasty in Omaha, Nebraska is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. For the upper eyelids, an incision is placed in the crease of the lid to remove excess fat and tighten the skin. For the lower eyelids, the incision is placed underneath the eyelashes or on the inside of the eyelid. Placing the incisions within the natural structure of the lids allows our surgeons to conceal scarring.
Many of our patients add complementary procedures to their eyelid surgery including facelift to tighten the jaw line and neck or brow lift to smooth deep furrows and frown lines of the forehead. Combining procedures is an effective way to optimize facial rejuvenation.
To better understand what to expect from eyelid surgery, take some time to read through answers to our patients’ most Frequently Asked Questions. We think you’ll find it to be a valuable resource as you research your options.
Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed through a lower eyelid incision or through a transconjunctival approach. Both of these incisions are associated with advantages and disadvantages when performing blepharoplasty.
The lower eyelid incision is placed just below the eye lashes where it’s easily hidden. This approach can be utilized to remove both excess lower eyelid skin and fat deposits. The procedure is associated with excellent results and high levels of safety, but must be used with caution when patients have laxity of the lower eyelid.
The transconjunctival approach utilizes an incision that’s made on the inside of the eyelid where it’s not visible. This is an excellent approach when the patient has lower eyelid fat deposits with relatively tight skin. Under these circumstances, the fat can be removed without making a visible incision on the lower eyelid. It’s also an excellent choice when lower eyelid laxity is present.
When performing blepharoplasty surgery the choice of incision is dependent upon a variety of factors. Careful analysis of the patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals are necessary to determine which incision is best for any particular patient. The best way to accomplish these goals is to consult a board certified plastic surgeon with experience performing eyelid surgery.
Blepharoplasty: Recovery
It’s not unusual for patients to be worried about recovery times following blepharoplasty surgery. Delayed recovery is almost always related to prolonged swelling and bruising. For this reason, every effort should be made to minimize the potential for these complications.
It’s, therefore, important to avoid the use of drugs that inhibit platelet function before and after surgery. Drugs in this category include Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Aleve and Motrin.
In the immediate post-operative period, patients should utilize iced saline compresses and maintain elevation of the head. It’s also important to maintain a low salt diet, high protein diet following surgery. Although no scientific data is available, many surgeons recommend Arnica Montana to minimize bruising in the post-operative period.
When these steps are taken, recovery times following blepharoplasty surgery are optimized. Despite this, the vast majority of patients need seven to ten days to fully recover.
Enjoying Your Results
Blepharoplasty recovery is relatively painless, and bruising and swelling are usually minimal. One week after surgery, you will have a follow-up appointment to check on your healing and remove any stitches. At that time, most patients can return to normal activities, although vigorous exercise should be delayed for a month. Most patients enjoy full results within three to five weeks. See the difference eyelid surgery can make when you visit our before & after photo gallery.
“I looked tired and puffy for the past 10 years so I decided to have the upper and lower eyelid surgery. While initially afraid, I am now happy I had this done. My advice to anyone considering it is to follow all of the after-care rules and lay low for a couple of weeks. Also, Google ‘Ali unpacks her bags’ for videos on another person’s experience These videos helped me.”
5 Starsomamom
Blepharoplasty FAQs
Facial aging affects the entire face, but nowhere is it more noticeable than in the area around the eyes. The eyes are truly the window to our souls and tell everyone how we are feeling. Aging of the soft tissue in this area, not only makes us look older, but can change how we are perceived. Excess eyelid skin can make us look tired and less energetic, when associated with brow descent it can even make us look angry. For these reasons, blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic surgery procedures.
When aging occurs, patients develop excess eyelid skin with prominent fat pads. This is typically one of the earliest signs of facial aging and with time it becomes progressively more noticeable.
This problem is most appropriately treated with blepharoplasty surgery. The procedure removes excess skin from the upper and lower eyelids. In addition, it also removes or repositions bulging fat pockets.
The procedure has high satisfaction rates with a low potential for complications. If you’re considering blepharoplasty surgery, consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon would be appropriate.
Blepharoplasty recovery varies from patient to patient and depends upon a large number of variables. Most patients feel pretty good in about two to three days following surgery, but their primary concern is when they will look good enough to go out in public. Recovery following blepharoplasty surgery may last for months, but most patients feel they can go out in public in about a week.
It’s important to emphasize that recovery periods are variable and depend not only on the patient’s wound healing characteristics and the surgical techniques utilized, but also the patient’s tolerance for changes that may occur following blepharoplasty surgery.
A blepharoplasty carries with it the same risks of any surgery, which include scarring and possibly infection. Postoperative bleeding is a possibility with a blepharoplasty. This can be very serious and can lead to visual impairment. For that reason, conditions that may predispose a patient to bleeding are carefully considered before the operation. This includes making sure the patient has a normal blood pressure and is not taking any type of drugs or food substances that can lead to thinning of the blood and postoperative bleeding. A condition known as ectropion can develop in the lower eyelids. In this case, the lower eyelid is pulled downward. This is very unusual and there are techniques your surgeon can employ to help prevent this.
If your surgeon believes that excess skin of your upper eyelids or your sagging brow can result in visual field impairment, he or she will order visual field testing to be done by your optometrist or your ophthalmologist. If there is sufficient documentation to make the diagnosis of visual field impairment, insurance may cover the procedure.
Many patients who complain of dark circles under their eyes have pigmentation in the lower eyelids that cannot be removed. Sometimes, the dark circles are the result of shadowing underneath bulging in the lower eyelids. If the dark circle is due to this shadow effect, removal of the bulges may help with the dark circles.
Anytime an incision is made, scarring will occur to some degree. The eyelid is an area where scarring is usually minimal and the scars are well hidden in this location. It usually takes about twelve months for scars to reach maximum recovery.
Local wound care can minimize the potential for adverse scarring following surgery. In the immediate post-operative period, removing sutures in a timely manner can minimize adverse scarring. Avoiding crusting and scabbing of the eyelids by keeping them lubricated with ointment can minimize indentations in the scar. Avoidance of infections can minimize hypertrophic scarring and spread of the scars.
Patient Testimonial: Denise
Taking The Next Step
Request a complimentary cosmetic consultation online or call (402) 390-0100 or (800) 331-5001 today to decide if eyelid surgery is right for you. Everyone on staff from our patient care coordinators to our highly-credentialed plastic surgeons and anesthesiologists are dedicated to treating you with respect, privacy and the best care available.