Your eyes are one of the first things others notice about you. They’re also one of the first facial features to reveal signs of aging. If your eyes make you look older or more tired than your years, you may be a good candidate for eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) at our Charlotte, NC, practice.
Read on to learn whether you qualify for eyelid surgery, what the procedure and recovery entails, and if upper eyelid vs. lower eyelid surgery (or a combined approach) is right for you. Also, be sure to view our eyelid lift surgery before and after photo gallery at the end of this post featuring real Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery patients.
Upper Vs. Lower Blepharoplasty
An upper eyelid lift addresses drooping upper eyelids, while a lower eyelid lift targets puffy bags and dark circles underneath the eyes. Upper blepharoplasty can also improve your field of vision if it has been impacted by drooping—and may even be covered by insurance if it is functionally (as opposed to cosmetically) motivated.
During upper eyelid lift surgery, we make small incisions in the eyelid’s crease to remove excess skin and fat that causes sagging, drooping, and bunching. The remaining skin is lifted and tightened to make you look more youthful and alert.
For lower eyelid surgery, we make incisions along the lower eyelash to remove and redistribute pockets of fat that have accumulated under the eye.
During your consultation, we will assess the condition of your eyelids to determine if you need an upper vs. lower eyelid lift—or perhaps both.
Do You Qualify For Eyelid Surgery?
Now that you understand what upper and lower eyelid surgery entails, let’s explore common signs that indicate whether you may or may not be a good candidate for upper or lower blepharoplasty:
You may be a good candidate for eyelid lift surgery if:
- You have drooping or sagging eyelid skin that may also impair your vision
- You have puffiness, bags, or dark circles under your eyes
- Your eyes show signs of aging (n.b., drooping can be hereditary and may occur in younger patients)
- You are a non-smoker and in overall good health
- You have realistic expectations about your recovery and results
You may not be a good candidate for eyelid lift surgery if:
- You are primarily concerned about crow’s feet and wrinkles vs. sagging and drooping
- You have a chronic eye condition such as dry eye
- You smoke and are not in good health
- You cannot allow a few weeks for post-surgery rest and recovery
During your blepharoplasty consultation, we will assess the condition of your eyelid skin and discuss your goals to determine the best surgical approach. Depending on your desired results, we may also recommend combining your eyelid surgery with a brow lift.
Preparing Yourself For Eyelid Surgery
Preparing for your procedure is an integral part of the process. The healthier you are heading into your surgery, the smoother your recovery will likely be. Here are more recommendations to help you prepare for successful eyelid surgery:
- Stop smoking and limit alcohol in the weeks leading up to your procedure
- Adjust or modify current medications, including aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Be extra vigilant about applying SPF 30 or higher (this goes for after surgery as well)
- Stock your house with groceries and arrange for caregivers before surgery so that you can focus solely on rest and recovery once you get home
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
Good news! Most eyelid surgery patients experience very mild discomfort during recovery compared to other surgical procedures. We send you home with a detailed protocol and prescribe pain medications to help you heal comfortably. After a few weeks, bruising and swelling subside, and you will begin to look more refreshed.
Most patients enjoy noticeable results about one month following surgery. It’s also important to note that we can perform upper and lower eyelid lift procedures simultaneously to achieve your desired results without increasing your recovery time. Here’s a more detailed eyelid lift surgery recovery timeline for your reference.
Eyelid Surgery Before and After Results
More good news! Upper eyelid surgery can last 5-7 years, while lower eyelid surgery results can last indefinitely—especially if you wear sunglasses and proactively protect your eyes from the elements.
Dr. Andrea Garcia and Dr. Josh Surowitz are board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeons with years of experience performing upper and lower blepharoplasty procedures—and that’s why our patients are so pleased with their eyelid surgery results!
We encourage you to visit our gallery of eyelid surgery before and after photos featuring actual patients. See for yourself how upper and lower eyelid surgery with Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery can help you appear more rested, alert, and youthful.
If you have more questions about blepharoplasty—or if you’re ready to move forward—it’s time to take the next step! Please contact our office to request a consultation or call us at (980) 949-6544 to schedule an appointment.
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