Blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, is a cosmetic procedure that has continued to grow in popularity. It is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, coming in fourth in the list of top cosmetic surgeries published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2017, more than 200,000 eyelid lift procedures were performed in this country.
Over time, upper eyelids often develop an excessively full or droopy appearance, and lower lids may develop puffy fat pads and loose skin. Surgery for these conditions can provide a more rejuvenated appearance – and can improve vision when skin is heavy enough to block the eyes.
Eyelid lifts can have a dramatic effect on the face and patients have said that their self-confidence has been greatly improved because their eyes look so much more youthful and they no longer look “tired all the time”.
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1. What is an eyelid lift?
There are three distinctly different types of eyelid lift surgeries. The board-certified surgeons at Edina Plastic Surgery meet with each patient to discuss which of these options is best for their situation.
- Upper Eyelid Surgery: This type of blepharoplasty is most often performed to improve the appearance of the eye due to aging genetics. For some patients it is performed to improve vision loss from drooping lids. Focused only on the upper eyelid, this surgery can restore the function of the eye and also provide a more open and youthful appearance.
- Lower Eyelid Surgery: This procedure is based around the lower lid and eyes, focusing on the removal of wrinkles in the skin and the correction of baggy eyes.
- Double Eyelid Surgery: This is when both procedures, upper and lower are combined. Doing both types of eyelid surgery at the same time can make a very dramatic change to the look of the eyes, and as a result the patient can look much more youthful.
2. What can eyelid surgery can treat?
- Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision
- Fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids
- Bags under the eyes
- Drooping lower eyelids that reveal white below the iris
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid
3. Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
Good candidates for eyelid surgery include:
- Healthy individuals with no medical conditions that can impair healing
- Nonsmokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals
- Individuals without serious eye conditions
The approach that our surgeons will recommend for eyelid surgery is based on your needs and goals. During the initial free consultation, our board-certified surgeons will assess whether a blepharoplasty may be beneficial for each patient and, if so, what type of surgery will provide the desired results. Eyelid surgery is performed on an outpatient basis in our fully accredited onsite surgery center and does not require an overnight stay.
