As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, fat starts to protrude, and the muscles in the eyelid weaken and sag. All of these changes work together to create an appearance that can make you look aged, sad or tired. To reverse the appearance of the aging eyelid, a blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, can improve the appearance of their eyelids to create a more energetic and youthful look. Eyelid surgery is the most common cosmetic surgery performed in the United States and is common for both men and women. To learn more or to determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure, call 847-291-6900 today and schedule a personalized consult with Dr. Daniel Tresley!
Eyelid Surgery Before & After
Before
After
What Is Blepharoplasty?
The eyelid lift, also known as Blepharoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to rejuvenate and reshape an aging upper and/or lower eyelid by removing excess skin, muscle and sometimes fat. The eyelid lift can improve the appearance of bagginess along the upper eyelids and puffiness and dark circles below the lower eyelids. The surgery may be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or on both.
What Issues Can Be Fixed With Eyelid Surgery?
Below are some of the common issues eyelid surgery addresses:
- It removes excess skin from the upper and lower eyelids
- It removes excess fatty deposits or puffiness in the upper eyelid
- It can improve visibility by removing excess sagging skin from the upper eyelid
- It removes or repositions fatty bags and corrects droopiness in the lower eyelid
- The hollow dark circles beneath the under eyelid are softened with fat repositioning and recontouring
Candidates For An Eyelid Lift
Ideal candidates for eyelid surgery are in good physical health with no life-threatening illness, medical conditions or eye diseases. They should be non-smokers and have positive, realistic expectations.
Blepharoplasty Procedure
- The incisions for eyelid surgery will be hidden within your natural eyelid creases or made inside the lid.
- The procedure may be performed on the upper lids alone, the lower lids alone or on both the upper and lower eyelids together.
- Excess skin will be removed, and depending on the patient’s individual needs and goals, fat deposits will be repositioned or removed, and muscles and tissue will be tightened.
- The incisions are closed with removable or absorbable sutures.
- Results will be revealed gradually while you heal and as the swelling and bruising of the procedure lessen.
What Are The Risks Of Eyelid Surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. It is important to know these risks and discuss them as well as any questions or concerns you may have with your Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon. Following the procedure, you will have certain restrictions to adhere to during the healing period.
Does Blepharoplasty Require Anesthesia?
Anesthesia is administered orally or through general anesthesia.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Through an incision in the natural eyelid crease, excess skin and fatty tissue is removed from the eyelids, leaving a natural-appearing, nicely contoured eyelid. The incision will fade to an almost imperceptible healing line within a few months. Makeup can be easily applied.
When Should I Consider An Upper Eyelid Lift?
Upper Blepharoplasty candidates include individuals who are concerned with the heaviness of the upper eyelids or a loss of definition of the upper eyelid crease resulting from excess skin. Excess fat is typically not a concern with the upper eyelids. Female patients will often express difficulty with makeup application along the upper eyelid. In severe cases, there may be some loss of peripheral vision caused by excess skin hanging over the lid.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Dr. Tresley is skilled in creating a natural, smooth progression from the eyelid to the cheek without causing unwanted hollowness. Through an incision on either the outside or inside of the lid, fat is repositioned and recontoured and skin is tightened, eliminating bags and wrinkles. Laser skin resurfacing is often utilized to soften eyelid and facial wrinkles and tighten eyelid skin.
When Should I Consider A Lower Eyelid Lift?
Lower Blepharoplasty candidates include individuals with unwanted bags or puffiness along the lower eyelids. These patients often note the appearance of dark shadows or dark circles under the eyes. These abnormalities are typically the result of the aging process which may include bulging of fat beneath the eye, skin laxity, muscle weakness, and hollowing between the lower eyelid and cheek. One or more of these findings are usually present in Lower Blepharoplasty patients.
Dr. Tresley discusses Lower Eyelid Surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty)
Recovery From Eyelid Surgery
Swelling and bruising may occur after the eyelid lift. Patients should sleep with the head slightly elevated at a 30-degree angle for the first few days to help minimize the swelling. It’s also recommended that ice compresses or small bags of frozen peas be applied for 20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off during the first few days to control swelling and bruising. Any pain that patients experience is well-controlled with low-dose prescription narcotics or over-the-counter medication. Patients will be seen within four to seven days after surgery for suture removal. Most patients are presentable in public within seven to 10 days after surgery. In general, the upper eyelids tend to recover more quickly than the lower eyelids.
What Our Patients Have To Say
"My dermatologist noticed a growth on my upper eyelid. I was diagnosed with skin cancer and referred to see Dr. Tresley. The office staff understood the severity of my condition and got me right in! The small tumor had to be removed and I feared that I would look awful and scarred, but Dr. Tresley worked his magic and repaired the skin around my eye and you would NEVER know I had surgery! Not even a scar!!! He saved my face and saved my life. I would highly recommend him to anyone. He’s a true artist in his field. I’ve gone back many times since then for Botox and I’m seriously considering having him do a brow lift. His work is amazing!"
"He is a wonderful doctor with exceptional skills. He fixed my eyelid after skin cancer removal and it looks fantastic. He showed me pictures and almost 3/4 of my eyelid was removed. You can’t even tell. He has hands of gold and is a great doctor. I couldn’t recommend him higher."
Will There Be Scars After My Blepharoplasty?
Any surgery produces scars; however, after several months, Blepharoplasty scars become less and less noticeable because they are placed in the normal creases of the eyelids.
Book A Blepharoplasty Appointment With Dr. Tresley!
Call 847-291-6900 today to schedule your one-on-one Eyelid Surgery consultation with Dr. Daniel Tresley! Or, you can fill out and submit the form in our contact page. Our practice serves Northbrook and the surrounding areas of Illinois.
*Individual results may vary