The eyes are often one of the first features you will notice on a person. Aside from helping you to see the world around you, the eyes are essential to the way in which you communicate your emotions and connect with others on a daily basis. Unfortunately, the eyes are also one of the first areas of the face to start displaying visible signs of aging. Droopy upper eyelids, puffiness or bags under the eyes can drastically age your appearance, or make you appear tired and worn regardless of how you feel. Aging eyes may even interfere with your field of vision, taking a toll on your overall quality of life.
Several factors may contribute to the appearance of aging eyes. Heredity, gravity, lifestyle habits such as smoking, or frequent sun exposure can all speed up the gradual breakdown of the skin. As your skin ages, the critical building blocks that keep it looking firm and smooth—collagen and elastin— will gradually diminish. The thin and delicate tissue that surrounds the eyes is particularly vulnerable to these changes, which is why it is often said that the eye area is commonly the “first to go.”
Eyelid surgery, also referred to medically as blepharoplasty, is a minor cosmetic surgery designed to restore a younger and more refreshed appearance to the eyes for years to come. Eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both depending on your needs and concerns, and works to remove or reposition any excess tissue, muscle or fat to enhance your facial beauty as well as the functionality of your eyes. If you are considering eyelid surgery, the experts at Marotta Plastic Surgery Specialists have put together three things you should know before undergoing the procedure.
Eyelid Surgery is Popular
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), eyelid surgery has ranked highly on the list of surgical cosmetic procedures performed worldwide for the last decade. In 2017 alone, eyelid surgery was the third most-requested procedure of the year with 149,340 total people undergoing the surgery. Eyelid surgery was also the surgical procedure to see the most significant increase from the year before, with 26.3 percent more individuals opting for the procedure in 2017 than in 2016 according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
Eyelid surgery is also one of the few cosmetic procedures that are popular amongst both women and men. While male patients only made up about eight percent of the total number of people to undergo cosmetic surgery in 2017, blepharoplasty was ranked as the second most popular procedure for men that year—making up 15.3 percent of the total eyelid surgeries performed. For female patients, blepharoplasty ranked as the fifth most popular in 2017. The popularity of eyelid surgery for both men and women can largely be attributed to the fact that the procedure does not only address cosmetic concerns but practical concerns as well.
How Eyelid Surgery Works
The idea of having surgery on your eyelids may sound intimidating, but eyelid surgery is considered to be a minimally-invasive and practical surgical procedure. Your eyelid surgery at Marotta Plastic Surgery Specialists will be performed in our office on an outpatient basis, so you will be free to recover in the comfort of your own home once the operation is complete. The surgery itself will last about one to three hours depending on your unique aesthetic concerns. Dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Marotta will make a recommendation as to whether general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation is needed depending on the extent of your procedure and whether any other treatments are being performed in conjunction.
- Upper Eyelids: Your upper eyelids will be corrected through a small, discreet incision hidden within the natural crease of your upper eye. If both the upper eyelids and lower eyelids are being treated, Dr. Marotta will typically start the procedure with the upper lids first. Through this tiny incision, any excess tissue will be removed, and fatty deposits will be redistributed or removed to redefine the upper lid contour. Finally, weakened upper eyelid muscles will be tightened to support the new lid structure.
- Lower Eyelids: Your lower eyelids will be corrected through a small incision placed just below the lower lash line. Excess skin is again removed, and fat pads below the eye that contribute to under-eye puffiness are eliminated or repositioned to fill any under-eye hollows. The lower eyelid muscles are then repaired and tightened to support the new lower lid structure.
After your upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both have been treated; the subtle incisions will be closed using very fine sutures. It will take about seven to ten days before you will be approved to resume your normal day-to-day activities and sutures are removed. Bruising and swelling experienced after your procedure will generally dissipate in about two weeks. Once all residual side effects have subsided, the youthful results of your eyelid surgery will be visible and long-lasting, barring the continued impact of aging on your appearance.
Pair with Additional Procedures
Depending on your aesthetic concerns, you may decide to combine your eyelid surgery with additional cosmetic procedures to further enhance your final results. Often Dr. Marotta will recommend fat injections, laser treatments, or chemical peels to smooth the lower eyelid skin and address any dark circles, lines or discoloration. Sometimes Botox injections may be utilized to reduce the appearance of smile and frown lines around the eyes, or injectable fillers can be used to plump-up more severe under-eye hollows.
Many patients will frequently choose to have their eyelid surgery performed with a facelift or an endoscopic brow lift to address multiple signs of aging for an all-encompassing facial rejuvenation. A brow lift, in particular, will further improve the appearance of the eyes by lifting any drooping or sagging skin on the brow, which can contribute to a worn or tired appearance. A facelift can address a brought range of concerns regarding loose skin and wrinkles present on the face and neck by removing and tightening excess tissues. Dr. Marotta will help you to determine which procedure or procedures will deliver the most beautiful and natural results for you.
If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your aging eyes or sagging skin is interfering with your vision, eyelid surgery is an incredibly popular and practical solution that can be easily paired with additional cosmetic procedures. To discover if eyelid surgery is right for you, contact Marotta Plastic Surgery Specialists today at (631) 982-2022 to schedule your consultation.
