Patients may look in the mirror and see thick, droopy eyelids and puffiness around their eyes, features that make them look much older and rundown than they feel. Dr. Jay Fine in Pembroke Pines, Florida, understands the impact that eyelids can have on overall appearance and uses eyelid surgery to restore a youthful appearance.
Eyelid Surgery / Blepharoplasty Q & A
What is blepharoplasty?
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, corrects excess or sagging skin, fatty deposits that appear as puffiness and drooping eyelids. It can also diminish the appearance of fine wrinkles in the eyelid area. Patients often choose blepharoplasty to improve their appearance, but the surgery may be performed when extra skin is uncomfortable or affects eyelid functioning, such as when sagging eyelids prevent eyes from fully opening.
The surgery may include the upper lids, lower lids, or both. Dr. fine can perform an eyebrow lift at the same time, depending on individual needs. Dr. Fine always works closely with patients to learn their expectations and to ensure that the eyelid surgery will produce results that look normal and natural.
What should patients expect during surgery?
When patients meet with Dr. Fine, he will thoroughly examine the eyelid area and facial features to ensure that blepharoplasty is the best option for you. In some cases, the upper eyelid may droop due to relaxation of the forehead or from other muscle issues surrounding the eye. If this is the case, Dr. Fine may recommend a different type of surgery.
Dr. Fine performs the incision for blepharoplasty in areas where the scar is barely visible, even on close inspection. For example, Dr. Fine may make the incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid or below the lower lash line to remove fat, tighten muscles, and eliminate excess skin. Dr. Fine will go over the options for anesthesia, recommending the one that’s best for you. Blepharoplasty is an outpatient surgery that usually takes one to two hours.
How quickly do patients recover from blepharoplasty?
While patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and irritated, or dry eyes, these symptoms are controlled with medication, cold compresses and ointment, and their recovery will be fairly quick — most patients are up and around the next day and back to their normal work and social lives in a week.
Dr. Fine takes a personal interest in every patient’s surgery and recovery, and is available to talk should any concerns arise. He will provide detailed instructions to follow during the recovery period, including talking about the importance of wearing sunglasses while healing and ongoing skin care to promote hydration and antiaging.