Eyelid Surgery / Blepharoplasty

Plastic Surgery in Charleston, SC

Do people ask if you are tired even when you feel well-rested? Do people often ask "what's wrong?" or assume you are angry even when you're happy? And when you look in the mirror, do you see why? Upper eyelids that are puffy or droop down, wrinkled, puffy, or sagging lower lids, bags under the eyes, and permanent dark circles under your eyes are common features of age. They can also be remedied by eyelid surgery, which can give your eyes a brighter and more youthful appearance.

If you would like to learn how eyelid surgery can help you achieve a more youthful appearance, please call or email Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse at Port City Plastic Surgery today.

A Common Procedure

Our eyes are one of the first places to show our age. Many people feel their eyes make them look prematurely old. And for many people, eyelid surgery is a good solution to reduce a perpetually tired appearance. This makes eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) one of the most common surgical procedures for men and women in the United States.

Eyelid surgery can be performed on either the upper or lower eyelids. Both upper and lower eyelids can be operated on during the same procedure.

The Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Eyelid surgery can be performed with local anesthesia or IV sedation. For upper eyelid surgery, incisions are made in the folds of the upper lids that allow excess skin to be removed along with any fat if necessary.

During lower eyelid surgery, fat from puffy lower lids can be removed or sometimes redistributed to reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes caused by localized loss of facial fat. If you do not have a good amount of donor fat, sometimes fat can be taken from other areas, or injectable fillers can be used.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery and Results

After your eyelid surgery, your eyes will be swollen and tender. You will be unable to drive. You may experience skin irritation and dry eyes. These should be controllable with medication. You may experience significant bruising. To help get the best possible cosmetic result, avoid sun exposure to your eyelids until recovery is complete. Although you may not experience much discomfort, it may be a week before you feel comfortable returning to work.

Full recovery takes about a month or longer, but the initial results should be evident well before then. The sagging, puffiness, and excessive wrinkling of your eyelids will be gone, leaving you with a much younger, more vibrant appearance. For more information about recovery and risks, please see our Questions about Blepharoplasty page.

Complementary Procedures

Sometimes saggy, puffy, or wrinkled eyelids are only part of the reason why your eyes look old, tired, or stern. If your brow also hangs low, a forehead lift might be advised to help achieve a youthful appearance. If crow's feet are a problem, BOTOX® Cosmetic injections can help reduce their appearance. And numerous fine lines around the eyes can be reduced with fractional laser skin resurfacing. During your consultation, plastic surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse will discuss your options and what might be best for you.

If you would like to learn whether eyelid surgery can help you look more vibrant, please schedule a consultation at Port City Plastic Surgery in Charleston, South Carolina today.