Which Type of Eyelid Surgery Will Enhance Your Eye Area?
As we age, the eye area can be one of the first facial features to make us appear older than we’d like. Excess skin beneath the eyes can droop, making us look tired. Or, fatty deposits may appear in the upper eyelids, resulting in puffiness. Add in the fine wrinkles that most people start to experience at a certain age, and it’s no wonder that we begin to appreciate the solutions offered by cosmetic surgery. In Dr. Constance Barone’s San Antonio practice, upper and lower eyelid surgery are performed regularly. Dr. Barone offers these tips for determining which procedure is right for you.
What Can Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery Treat?
The type of eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, that will most enhance your eye area depends on the conditions you would like to correct.
Lower eyelid surgery treats:
- Excess skin below the lower eyelid, which causes a droopy or “baggy” appearance
- Fine wrinkles that appear below the lower eyelid
- Lower eyelids that droop
Upper eyelid surgery treats:
- Puffy upper eyelids, resulting from excess skin or fatty deposits
- Sagging skin that can droops and can obscure vision
Upper or lower eyelid surgery can deliver rejuvenating results that make you look years younger. However, there are a number of things that blepharoplasty procedures do not correct, such as:
- Drooping or sagging eyebrows
- Dark circles beneath the eyes
If your goal is to treat the conditions listed above, your plastic surgeon may advise combining your eyelid surgery with a brow lift surgery or laser skin treatment.
Who Is Eligible for Surgery?
Generally, adult men and women with healthy facial tissue and muscles are eligible for upper and/or lower eyelid surgery. When consulting your plastic surgeon, it’s important to fully disclose any health-related issues, such as any medications you may be taking, whether you smoke, and any eye conditions that you have, such as glaucoma or dry eye syndrome.
What Happens During the Procedures?
When you choose to undergo upper or lower eyelid surgery, your plastic surgeon will make incisions that are easily concealed - so that all you see after your procedure is your newly enhanced eye area.
During lower eyelid surgery, incisions are typically made beneath the lower lash line or inside the lower eyelid (known as a transconjunctival incision). The first incision method allows your plastic surgeon to remove the excess skin from your lower eyelids, while the second method allows for the redistribution or removal of excess fat.
During upper eyelid surgery, incisions are typically made in the crease of the eyelid. Through this incision, your plastic surgeon will be able to reposition or remove any fat deposits that are causing a puffy appearance, and tighten your muscles and tissue.
After either procedure, your incisions will be closed with sutures (removable or dissolvable), skin adhesives, or surgical tape. As your eye area heals, you will gradually see your smoother, rejuvenated results.
Ready to Learn More?
The best way to determine whether upper or lower eyelid surgery is right for you is with a one-on-one consultation with a plastic surgeon. Contact Dr. Constance Barone today to learn more about your blepharoplasty options.