Eyelid Surgery

Our eyes are the primary focal point of our face. When interacting with someone, your eyes are doing a lot of unconscious work communicating your emotions, thoughts and general demeanor alongside whatever spoken language. But the appearance of your eyes and the surrounding areas also share something about you.

If you suffer from droopy eyelids or have bags beneath your eyes, you have probably received a comment or two in your life about how tired you look. You may feel completely refreshed and energized, but the excess skin and tissue in your eyes are telling a much different story.
This is why many people turn to eyelid surgery. They want their physical appearance to reflect the energetic, confident and well-rested person on the inside. Eyelid surgery is one of the most reliable ways to make that dream a reality.

What Is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure used to correct dark circles, bags, eyelid drooping, excess wrinkles and generally aged appearance around the eyes. Because the skin around the eyes is fragile, this area is likely one of the first places someone will develop early signs of aging.

It is also one of the most trusted cosmetic procedures around — in 2020, more than 325,000 eyelid surgeries were performed, according to a report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This makes blepharoplasty the second-most performed cosmetic surgery on the market. In 2019, that number was as high as 354,105, according to the same report.

Why Do We Need Eyelid Surgery?

Unfortunately, our need for eyelid surgery derives primarily from the natural aging process, which we can do nothing about. As our body ages, the production of essential compounds like collagen and elastin slows down. According to Scientific American, some estimates show that 1% of our collagen production is lost every year after the age of 20.

Couple the aging process with environmental factors like sun exposure and free radicals, and we have a ticking time bomb that is doing everything it can to degrade our faces.

What Does Eyelid Surgery Treat?

Eyelid surgery can treat a variety of conditions, including:

• – Sagging skin on the upper eyelid
• – Sagging skin on the lower eyelids
• – Fatty deposits around the eyes
• – Bags around the eyes
• – Excess skin around the eyes
• – Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes

If your specific condition is not listed, don’t worry — you may still be a candidate for eyelid surgery. If not, a member of our expert medical aesthetics team will provide you with reliable recommendations regarding what treatments can best achieve your cosmetic goals.

Am I a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical operation, which means that you will need to make sure you are free from a few risk factors before being cleared as a strong candidate. Some preexisting conditions can impact impose additional surgical risks. In those cases, you may not be eligible for treatment. Luckily, those conditions are few and far between, and our office can work with you to develop an alternative treatment plan.

The best candidates are those who:

• – Do not smoke
• – Do not consume excessive alcohol
• – Do not use unprescribed medications
• – Are within range of their ideal weight
• – Have realistic expectations

You should do plenty of research and review as many before and after photos as possible to ensure that your expectations for this procedure are realistic and in line with what can actually be achieved. Otherwise, you will find yourself disappointed by what would otherwise be considered a successful surgery.

How Should I Prepare for Eyelid Surgery?

We recommend that all of our patients create a recovery station before the morning of their surgery. Wherever you will be resting, you should stockpile snacks, drinks, remotes, chargers, books, medications, electronics, magazines or anything else you need during your recovery. This will allow you to focus on resting and prevent you from overexerting yourself.

You may be given a list of instructions to follow prior to the surgical day. These instructions can include changes to your medications or additional required testing. Following this list will ensure that you have the safest recovery possible and the most dramatic improvement to your appearance.

What Are My Eyelid Surgery Options?

There are three types of eyelid surgery available to patients: upper, lower and transconjunctival. While upper and lower approaches are self-explanatory, transconjunctival offers patients a unique approach that could cause zero visible scarring from the procedure. Each offers unique advantages that are explained in detail in the following section.

What Should I Expect from an Eyelid Surgery Procedure?

As a general rule, you will likely be under IV sedation or general anesthesia during the surgical process. This will ensure that you are as comfortable and safe as possible during your procedure. The surgery generally takes about two hours and is performed in the physician’s office or a surgery center. General anesthesia is typically used when other procedures are performed in conjunction.

For upper eyelid surgery, generally, an incision is hidden within the natural fold of the upper eyelid. It extends slightly beyond the outside corner into the laugh lines or other existing creases. Through this incision, excess skin and fatty tissue are removed. Because the incision follows the natural contour of the upper eyelid, it usually is inconspicuous and heals well.

For lower eyelid surgery, often, an incision is hidden just below the lower lashes. Excess skin, muscle and fat are removed through this incision, or fat may be redraped to eliminate puffiness or bulges. This contouring procedure is a novel way to treat the excessive bulging fat pads in the lower eyelids. This restores youthful fullness to the lower eyelid. Other adjustments to correct particular problems such as muscle laxity may be performed. As in upper eyelid surgery, placement of the incision in natural crease lines allows for the scar to usually heal inconspicuously.

When excess skin is not the issue for a patient, Dr. V may use a transconjunctival approach. This avoids any scarring in the lower lid skin area. The incision is placed on the inner side of the lower eyelid. This avoids scars on the outer aspect of the eyelid.

What Should I Expect During Eyelid Surgery Recovery?

Typically, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time. New Jersey patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery which can be treated with oral medication. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following the post-operative directions given after the surgery. The healing process for this procedure is slightly longer than most other forms of cosmetic surgery; however, the benefits are long-lasting. Patients will have a more rested and youthful appearance.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect from Eyelid Surgery?

You can expect to notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of the area surrounding your eyes. Fine lines and wrinkles will be smoothed out, and any puffiness or droopiness will also be corrected with blepharoplasty. Your results are permanent and will last as long as new skin ptosis or folding does not develop.

Expert Eyelid Surgery in Voorhees, NJ

If you are ready to learn more about how eyelid surgery can help improve your appearance and help you reclaim your confidence, give our office a call at (856) 784-2639 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced medical professionals. You can also fill out our online contact form below to have a team member return your message at a more convenient time.