If you’re unhappy with the look of your hooded eyes, you’ve probably tried different makeup tricks to make them look larger or more open. Similarly, with heavy bags under your eyes, you’ve probably tried creams promising to tighten and smooth the skin underneath and reduce the crepe-y appearance. When those methods don’t work, it may be time to consider eyelid surgery, particularly when ptosis (or sagging skin) is so extreme that it’s affecting your vision. To determine if this is the right solution to your concern, Dr. Ortiz, a renowned plastic surgeon in Raleigh is providing a more in-depth look at eyelid surgery, including what it is, how it works, and whether it’s right for you.
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery refers to the surgical procedure called blepharoplasty which is performed to remove skin, fat, and fluid from around the eye. This procedure can be performed on both the upper lid to remove drooping skin that can affect vision or make the eye appear hooded, as well as the lower lid where sagging skin creates the look of bags under the eye.
During upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Ortiz makes a small incision along the natural crease of the lid from the inner corner to the outer edge. Excess skin and fat are removed and very small sutures are used to close the incision. The overall result is a less hooded, more open eye. Lower blepharoplasty is similar in that excess skin and fat under the eye is removed, but in this procedure, the incision is made either inside the lid or just under the lash line. Again, very small sutures close the incision, and because of the location of the incisions and the sutures, scarring is minimal if not completely invisible.
Canthopexy
Canthopexy is an adjacent procedure to blepharoplasty designed to repair sagging and drooping in the lower lid caused by the weakening of the lateral canthal tendon. This tendon is the primary support of the lower lid, and as we age, the tendon and surrounding tissues can sag. Using small sutures, Dr. Ortiz can stabilize and tighten the tendon, lifting the outer corner of the eye and creating a more youthful appearance.
What Problems Do Eyelid Surgery Fix?
Eyelid surgery is designed to remove excess or drooping skin and fat. While it’s primarily performed for cosmetic reasons, in more extreme cases, the sagging of the upper lids can obstruct vision. Thus, this can improve vision as well as create larger-looking eyes with more open lids, improve facial symmetry, and achieve a more youthful appearance.
While upper eyelid surgery lasts around seven to ten years before excess skin and fat may return and drooping becomes a concern, lower eyelid surgery permanently removes the existing bags under the eyes.
Is an Eyelid Procedure Right for You?
Eyelid surgery is a generally safe procedure that is performed under general or local anesthesia in about two hours. While risks are low, infection, swelling, bruising, and bleeding are the primary concerns, but following post-procedure instructions minimizes the risk of infection, and swelling and bruising go down in a week or two.
Any cosmetic procedure is typically best for people who are overall in good health with a BMI below 30 who don’t smoke. Otherwise, upper blepharoplasty is ideal for people with heavy upper eyelids who would like to reduce the hooded appearance to achieve a wider, more open look or a brighter, more vibrant expression while lower blepharoplasty is an excellent solution to remove bags, heavy wrinkles, or sagging under the eye to achieve a smoother, more youthful appearance. Many people will also have this procedure in conjunction with a brow lift or a facelift.
Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Eyelid Surgery Today
If you would like to explore eyelid surgery and learn more about it, reach out to North Raleigh Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ortiz. He’ll provide more personalized information and a more in-depth look at what kind of results you can expect after the procedure, the healing timeline, and additional details. To get started, call us today at (919) 532-2270 or fill out the form below.