Eyelid Surgery
Cosmetic eyelid surgery improves your appearance by removing the excess tissue and skin that creates bagginess around the eyes. The procedure can be performed on either the upper or lower eyelids.
Dr. Gavin Dry frequently performs eyelid surgery for men and women from Kirkland as well as neighboring areas like Bellevue, Seattle and the Eastside.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a term plastic surgeons use to describe this procedure, more commonly known as eyelid surgery or the eyelid lift. The word comes from the Greek word blepharon, which means eyelid.
Is Eyelid Surgery Right for You?
While it can be performed for young individuals, most patients requesting eyelid surgery are 35 years of age or older. These patients exhibit eyelid-related conditions such as:
- Eye bags
- Eye puffiness
- Droopy upper eyelid skin
- Stretched eyelid skin
Skin on the eyelids is prone to stretching and fatty tissue will often accumulate below the eyes. These conditions make you appear tired or unhappy, even when you’re not. To reduce the appearance of these problems, you may want to consider eyelid surgery with Dr. Dry.
What Happens During Eyelid Surgery?
The first step is often a medical evaluation and/or vision test. Any relevant info from your eye doctor should be shared with Dr. Dry before proceeding. Blepharoplasty requires about 1 to 3 hours under a local anesthetic.
Incision locations will vary. They typically follow the natural crease of the upper eyelid. In the lower eyelid, the incision may be below the lashes or inside the eyelid. A very conservative amount of skin and tissue is removed before Dr. Dry places fine sutures to close the incisions.
How Will I Look and Feel After Eyelid Surgery?
Typical recovery time is 10 days. For about 2 to 3 weeks you will need to stop wearing contact lenses and postpone exercise. Immediately after the procedure, the doctor may lubricate your eyes and apply a bandage. Your eyelids may feel somewhat tight and sore as the anesthesia begins to wear off.
Dr. Dry will provide specific post-operative instructions. You may be instructed to keep your head elevated and use prescribed medications will be necessary for several days. To help manage swelling, you may be advised to use a cold compress.
All cosmetic surgeries carry a risk for complications. The most common side effects reported with eyelid surgery are bruising, excessive tears, light sensitivity, and temporary vision blurring. Other less common adverse events include infection, swelling, dry eyes, formation of whiteheads, and asymmetry. Rare complications include difficulty in closing eyes, pulling down of lower eyelids and blindness.
What questions do you have about cosmetic eyelid surgery? Get answers from a board certified plastic surgeon in Kirkland, Washington. Contact us to learn more about this procedure.