What's involved with a Blepharoplasty?
A blepharoplasty (reshaping of eyelids) can be done on either the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both upper and lower eyelids to remove excess skin and fat, improve the youthfulness of the eyelids, and provide a brighter and less tired appearance to the eyes. The procedure involves making small hidden incisions in the natural folds of the upper eyelid or the inside of the lower eyelid to remove the excess skin, and reshape the eyelids. The goal with these procedures is to improve the overall appearance of the eyelids, remove the extra skin and wrinkles, adjust any excess bulging from the eyelid fat, and provide a very natural look with hidden scars so that others cannot quite tell that you have had a procedure done.
Patients may choose to have an upper or lower blepharoplasty procedure done because of natural aging with loose skin, extra wrinkles, and descent and deflation of the eyelid soft tissues over time. Sometimes the excess upper eyelid skin can interfere with one's vision, and increase tension and tone in the forehead from subconsciously raising the eyebrows to compensate for the excess heavy upper eyelids. An upper eyelid blepharoplasty can help with these issues, and is a very commonly performed procedure that can be done under local anesthetic. A lower eyelid blepharoplasty can help reduce the 'bags' under the eyelids, address the extra lower eyelid skin, and provide a more youthful appearance by removing the tear trough that results in bulging of the lower eyelid fat. A blepharoplasty can improve your self-esteem and make you feel more comfortable and confident with your appearance. Dr. Sharma will sit down with you to discuss your goals for the surgery and the look you are hoping to achieve. Most patients are interested in a natural appearance since the eyelids are so visible, and we strive to get you the look that you deserve, while minimizing the appearance of scars.
Incisions are typically placed in the upper eyelid fold such that it cannot be noticed. Eyelid scars heal up extremely well, with minimal downtime. The lower eyelid scars can be placed inside the eyelid so that there is no visible scar on the outside. Sometimes an incision may be placed below the lower eyelid lashes to remove excess skin for optimal appearance. Dr. Sharma will discuss the pros and cons of each of the procedures with you to determine what is best for your individual needs.
Patients may choose to have an upper or lower blepharoplasty procedure done because of natural aging with loose skin, extra wrinkles, and descent and deflation of the eyelid soft tissues over time. Sometimes the excess upper eyelid skin can interfere with one's vision, and increase tension and tone in the forehead from subconsciously raising the eyebrows to compensate for the excess heavy upper eyelids. An upper eyelid blepharoplasty can help with these issues, and is a very commonly performed procedure that can be done under local anesthetic. A lower eyelid blepharoplasty can help reduce the 'bags' under the eyelids, address the extra lower eyelid skin, and provide a more youthful appearance by removing the tear trough that results in bulging of the lower eyelid fat. A blepharoplasty can improve your self-esteem and make you feel more comfortable and confident with your appearance. Dr. Sharma will sit down with you to discuss your goals for the surgery and the look you are hoping to achieve. Most patients are interested in a natural appearance since the eyelids are so visible, and we strive to get you the look that you deserve, while minimizing the appearance of scars.
Incisions are typically placed in the upper eyelid fold such that it cannot be noticed. Eyelid scars heal up extremely well, with minimal downtime. The lower eyelid scars can be placed inside the eyelid so that there is no visible scar on the outside. Sometimes an incision may be placed below the lower eyelid lashes to remove excess skin for optimal appearance. Dr. Sharma will discuss the pros and cons of each of the procedures with you to determine what is best for your individual needs.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Good candidates for this procedure are men and women who:
- are self-conscious about the appearance of their eyelids, which tends to be especially noticeable in photographs
- remove the wrinkles, bulging fat, and excess skin of the eyelids
- wish to improve their vision if the upper eyelids tend to cause eyelid heaviness blocking their visual field
- want to achieve a natural more youthful appearance of the eyelids with a less tired appearance
- are physically healthy to undergo surgery and have realistic expectations
Do I do upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both?
There are a variety of factors that go into making this important decision. Dr. Sharma will discuss all of your options with you. Upper eyelid surgery is more commonly done as an isolated procedure since the excess skin of the upper lids tends to droop more causing problems with vision and a tired look. This procedure can be done under local anesthetic with minimal downtime. The lower eyelid surgery often involves redraping the lower eyelid fat compartments and removing the retaining ligament that contributes to the tear trough deformity and bulging tired appearance of the lower eyelids. Sometimes excess skin is also removed from the lower eyelids with a small incision below the eyelash line. Dr. Sharma will review which procedures are most suitable for you to give you the look you desire.