OVERVIEW

Blepharoplasty (BLEF-uh-roe-plas-tee) is a type of surgery that removes excess skin from the eyelids. With age, eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess skin and fat can gather above and below your eyelids. This can cause sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids, and bags under the eyes.

Besides aging, severely sagging skin around the eyes can reduce side vision (peripheral vision), especially the upper and outer parts of the visual field. Blepharoplasty can reduce or get rid of these vision problems. The surgery can also make eyes look younger and more alert.

Learn how blepharoplasty is done and about the benefits and risk of the procedure.

WHY IT’S DONE

Blepharoplasty might be an option for:

  • Baggy or droopy upper eyelids
  • Excess skin of the upper eyelids that partially blocks peripheral vision
  • Excess skin on the lower eyelids
  • Bags under the eyes

Blepharoplasty can be done at the same time as another procedure, such as a brow lift, face-lift or skin resurfacing.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

Blepharoplasty is usually done in an outpatient setting. You might be given drugs such as injections into the eyelids to numb them and drugs through an IV to help you relax.

DURING THE PROCEDURE

For upper eyelids, the surgeon cuts along the fold of the eyelid. The surgeon removes some excess skin, muscle and possibly fat. Then the surgeon closes the cut.

On the lower lid, the surgeon makes a cut just below the lashes in your eye’s natural crease or inside the lower lid. The surgeon removes or redistributes excess fat, muscle and sagging skin. Then the surgeon closes the cut.

If your upper eyelid droops close to your pupil, your surgeon may do blepharoplasty combined with a procedure called ptosis (TOE-sis). Ptosis is designed to lift the eyelid as well as remove excess eyelid skin.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

After surgery you spend time in a recovery room where staff members monitor you for complications. You can leave later that day to heal at home.

After surgery you might temporarily have:

  • Blurred vision from the lubricating ointment applied to your eyes
  • Watering eyes
  • Light sensitivity
  • Double vision
  • Puffy, numb eyelids
  • Swelling and bruising similar to having black eyes
  • Pain or discomfort

Take the following steps to help you recover from surgery unless your surgeon gives you different instructions.

 

Before And After

About Dr Joseph Fretta MD

Dr. Joseph Fretta, MD is an internal medicine practitioner specializing in vein treatments and aesthetic procedures. He has offices in Eatontown, and West Orange, NJ. Dr. Fretta, has been practicing for over 36 years, and successfully treated over 45,000 patients for varicose veins since 1989. Dr. Fretta has long been the area’s trusted vein treatment doctor, and one of the first 14 doctors to do Evla Endovenous Laser Ablation.

Dr. Fretta’s Total Vein and Rejuvenation Center is considered one of the best vein treatment facilities in the country. Dr. Fretta treats patients who suffer from large varicose veins to the smallest spider veins on the body and face. He is a specialist in vein treatment, facial cosmetic surgery, and body contouring. Procedures he offers include; Smart Laser Lipo Suction, Body Contouring, Face Rejuvenation using Botox & Fillers, Laser Wrinkle Removal, PRP (Platelet-rich Plasma), Sclerotherapy, and Ambulatory Phlebectomy (micro vein surgery).