What Is Eyelid Surgery?
It is said that “the eyes are the windows to the soul.” They are the main focus when people are looking at you during a conversation. The eyes are also one of the major areas of facial aging. With eyelid surgery, you can “turn back the clock” and recapture a firmer, more youthful look.
The eyelid skin is very thin, approximately 1/7 as thick as cheek and forehead skin. As we age, our skin cells no longer retain water, as they did when we were younger. In addition, external forces such as cigarette smoking, pollution, and pollen aggravate the swelling of the eyelids, which further stretches the skin. The eyebrows begin to sag, the upper eyelid skin stretches, and lower eyelids become puffy. This puffiness develops with the weakening of the membrane that holds the eye socket fat in place, which causes the fat to protrude forward, creating bags.
As a Houston-area plastic surgeon for more than 25 years, Dr. Joseph M. Perlman has heard thousands of patients complain about the state of their eyelids. Men and women from Spring, The Woodlands, and surrounding areas often look to eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, as a solution. Eyelid surgery removes fat, skin, and muscle from your eyelids to improve the appearance of your eyes.
Am I a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- Excess skin obscuring the natural fold of the upper eyelids
- Loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids, perhaps impairing vision
- A puffy appearance to the upper eyelids, making the eyes look tired
- Excess skin and fine, crêpe-like wrinkles of the lower eyelids
- Bags and dark circles under the eyes, often with a depression along the bony border of the lower eyelids
- Droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye)
Dr. Perlman will be able to fully assess whether you are suitable for the procedure by giving you a thorough evaluation. He and his staff at Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre will ask you pertinent questions about your goals for eyelid surgery. They will also address any concerns you may have.
What Is the Process for Eyelid Surgery?
When Dr. Perlman started as a plastic surgeon decades ago, the treatment for the aging of the eyelids was the removal of the skin and fat. This tended to give the eyelids a hollowed look. Over the past 15 years, there have been significant innovations in blepharoplasty.
As with many facial rejuvenation procedures, we have become more conservative with the philosophy of “less is more.” We are lifting the eyebrows through endoscopic incisions behind the hairline, rather than making the classic “ear-to-ear cut,” or coronal brow lift. The endoscopic lift minimizes hair loss and numbness of the scalp and improves healing time. In eyelid surgery, the excision of upper eyelid fat is also more conservative, and in some instances, the hollow look in the upper eyelids is actually filled in with strips of skin.
The most significant changes have occurred in lower eyelid surgery. Instead of removing all the fat that “pooches out,” we’re now reinforcing the membrane and shrinking the fat with cautery. We then reposition the fat to fill the hollowed tear trough area, at the base of the eyelid along the cheek, and reposition the muscles. This technique for lower eyelid surgery elevates the cheek to a more youthful position, minimizes the downward pull of the eyelid, and retains the almond shape of the eye.
What Does Recovery Entail After Eyelid Surgery?
Once your eyelid surgery is over, your eyelids may be covered with lubricating ointment and cold compresses. You may also need to wear gauze over your eyes. It is common to experience some swelling, bruising, or dry eyes, as well as mild pain, after eyelid surgery. There may also be some irritation at the incision sites. Typically, eyelid surgery patients return to work within two weeks.
To hasten your recovery and reduce the risk of complications, it is imperative that you follow the doctor’s instructions. The medical team at Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre will give you comprehensive directions, so you can properly take care of yourself after your eyelid surgery.
Can I See Eyelid Surgery Before and After Photos?
Photos are often the most valuable resource you have when gathering information about blepharoplasty. Take some time to browse through various eyelid surgery before and after pictures before you make a decision about the procedure. You can easily inspect Dr. Perlman’s collection of eyelid surgery before and after pictures to see the work he has done on residents of Spring, The Woodlands, and other areas surrounding Houston.
What Are The Benefits?
Fewer Fine Lines — While this is not the primary goal of eyelid surgery for most patients, many see a significant improvement in those early, telltale signs of aging. Lifting both the upper and lower lid can reduce the number of lines seen around the outer corners and lower lid of the eye.
No More Bags — Bags below the eye can give you a fatigued appearance even if you are getting sufficient shut-eye. A lower eyelid lift can remove those baggy areas by eliminating excess skin and tissue below the eye.
Improved Vision — When you have significant heaviness drooping of the upper lid, it can be more than a cosmetic concern. Those Extra deposits of skin and tissue on the lid or drooping of the eyebrow can also impair your line of vision. By removing those deposits and subtly lifting the brow upper lid, we can also expand your line of sight.
What Are Eyelid Surgery Costs?
There are no blanket prices for blepharoplasty in the Houston area. But if you would like to know more about what eyelid surgery costs would be for you, speak with Dr. Perlman and his helpful staff at Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre. We will be happy to discuss all facets of the procedure, including eyelid surgery prices. Please visit our finance page if you would like to know more about payment options.
A refreshed appearance is one call away
Blepharoplasty is one of the most effective ways to give your entire face a refreshed appearance. The procedure also enhances the shape and appearance of your eyes specifically. Whether you undergo eyelid surgery alone or in combination with other surgical or cosmetic procedures, you are likely to see dramatic results after your procedure. That rejuvenated appearance can also go far in improving your self-confidence and your self-esteem.
If you decide eyelid surgery is the right choice for you, it is imperative to choose an experienced plastic surgeon to ensure the best possible results. Dr. Perlman is an experienced plastic surgeon that has performed numerous blepharoplasties throughout his 25 years of work. He will tailor your procedure to your specific needs and desired outcome. To learn more, call us to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Perlman today.
What to expect
Before the procedure
Blepharoplasty is usually done in an outpatient setting. Your surgeon injects numbing medication into your eyelids and administers intravenous medication to help you relax.
During the procedure
If you have surgery on your upper and lower eyelids, the surgeon generally works on your upper lids first. He or she cuts along the fold of the eyelid, removes some excess skin, muscle and possibly fat, and closes the cut.
On the lower lid, the surgeon makes a cut just below the lashes in your eye’s natural crease or inside the lower lid. He or she removes or redistributes excess fat, muscle and sagging skin, and closes the cut.
If your upper eyelid droops close to your pupil, your surgeon may do blepharoplasty with a procedure called ptosis (TOE-sis) that provides additional support to the eyebrow muscle.
After the procedure
After surgery you spend time in a recovery room, where you are monitored for complications. You can leave later that day to recuperate at home.
Request your consultation with Dr. Perlman now!
When you work with the Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre, you will be treated with warmth and respect. We will make sure you are well-informed about eyelid surgery so you can make the best decision for you. We are proud to offer eyelid surgery to patients in Spring, Houston, The Woodlands, Atascocita, Conroe, Pasadena, and Baytown. Please schedule a consultation and discover why we have a reputation for providing meticulous, compassionate care.
