Blepharoplasty / Eyelid Surgery

The main qualification you need to get eyelid lift surgery is a strong desire to correct what you believe is an unattractive feature. Alternately, if the upper eyelid surgery clears up your vision and your doctor declares it a medical necessity, that’s a great reason to get it because your insurance may cover the cost of eyelid surgery. Several conditions indicate that you’re a good candidate for an eyelid lift, including:

• Your vision is impaired by drooping skin
• You’re a non-smoker and have no chronic illnesses that may impact your recovery
• You’re bothered by the extent of upper lid sagging
• You have excess fatty deposits around both eyes
• You’re bothered by the extent of under-eye bags
• You have realistic expectations of blepharoplasty

You may experience one or more of these complaints or situations. Most people who pursue an eyelid lift are 35 years or older. But some younger people who inherit baggy eyes may also choose blepharoplasty

In some cases, eyelid lift surgery is not desired or recommended. If that’s the case for you, other treatments may provide improvement for droopy eyelids or undereye pouches, such as:

• Injectables and dermal fillers
• Botox
• Laser therapy
• Radiofrequency
• Chemical peels

Ask your cosmetic surgeon at Millennial Plastic Surgery about the in-house medical-grade spa where you can get non-surgical options for treating wrinkles and sagging around your eyes. A variety of treatments are available today; one is certain to work for you.

Double eyelid surgery improves the appearance of your eyes by removing the loose skin from the upper and lower eyelids. This opens your eyes for a fresher, more youthful you. You should not expect it, however, to alter any every aspect of your face that you aren’t happy about, such as:

• Sagging of your eyebrows, which may require an eyebrow lift
• Discoloration under your eyes
• Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes that may be treated with Dysport

Other procedures are available to address these concerns. A combination of treatments likely gives you an even more dramatic transformation. But keep in mind that while the eyelid lift alone doesn’t directly address these other troublesome areas, it makes small improvements in them that can really light up your face. Talk to an experienced plastic surgeon near you about the types of treatment options that address your particular concerns.

Droopy eyelid surgery offers you a number of benefits to repair your droopy eyelids, fix your vision issues and give you a more youthful, healthy appearance. These advantages include:

• The results last for your lifetime.
• The procedure doesn’t change your basic facial expression.
• The procedure is accomplished in one treatment.
• Any visible scarring is minimal.
• Your new look is fully complete in just a couple months.

Since an eyelid lift is typically done just once, it saves more time and money when compared with repetitive treatments like Botox. As you get older, some normal loss of tightness continues, but the gains made from your eyelid surgery remain forever.

The initial consultation for eyelid surgery helps both you and the doctor understand your desires and your options. During this important first step, you can expect:

• To consult with the doctor in person, online or by phone
• To fill out a brief questionnaire
• To get a feel for the personal style of the surgeon and the practice

Your Manhattan cosmetic surgeon uses this meeting to find out more about you and your needs. This helps him assess your condition and make a personalized plan. You might want to dig up a few photos or write down some talking points to bring along. Your doctor wants:

• To know what bugs you most about the eye area of your face
• To hear about how you want your face to look
• An initial evaluation of your skin elasticity and bone structure
• A general summary of any previous surgeries, allergies and illnesses
• An idea of your lifestyle — activity level, work, diet and hobbies

Once the doctor has gotten to know you and your goals, he describes the options that make the most sense for your situation. You may go over items such as:

• What types of procedures address your problems
• How long the surgery takes
• What risks are involved
• What the recovery period is like
• What’s the blepharoplasty cost in NYC is involved

The initial consultation arms you and your plastic surgeon with a wealth of helpful information. Count on the friendly team at Millennial Plastic Surgery to give you the confidence to make the best choice for your future look.

Like many key endeavors in life, eyelid surgery begins with preparation. Your healthcare team provides you with sufficient instructions so you can do your part to make sure your eyelid lift surgery is successful. Your instructions may include:

• A medication review of all the prescriptions, over-the-counter remedies and herbal supplements you take
• A physical exam that likely includes tests to measure your vision and tear ducts
• An imaging session to take photos of your eyelids that aid the doctor during surgery
• Cessation of smoking for several weeks prior to blepharoplasty
• Prepare-ahead meals you’ll want ready to avoid undo activity during the first several days of your recovery
• Stocking your fridge and pantry so you won’t need to leave home in the early going
• Scheduling friends for assistance for both driving home and helping for the first day or two

After all the preparation, your day of surgery arrives. Remember, blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure, so you go home the same day. You can expect:

• A numbing agent or anesthesia administered to ensure your comfort
• A small cut made in your upper eyelid
• Stitches placed in the muscle that raises your eyelid
• Excess skin and muscle — and sometimes fat — removed
• Some tissue possibly moved to surrounding areas
• The closing of the incision in your upper eyelid
• A similar procedure then performed with the lower lid

After the doctor closes the last incision, you’re moved to the recovery room. You may have gauze placed on your eyes to protect them. During this time, the team monitors you for side effects before sending you home. You return several days later for the surgeon to check your progress and remove any stitches. Don’t forget to arrange for a friend or loved one to drive you to and from these visits.

You can’t wait to see that youthful you in the mirror, but you must be patient. Most people begin to see eyelid surgery results in just a few weeks. Complete blepharoplasty recovery usually takes a few short months. How soon that transformation happens depends on several factors, such as:

• The amount of area included in the procedure
• The type of surgery performed and whether you combined the eyelid surgery with any other treatment
• The extent of swelling and bruising you had
• Your body’s healing ability
• How faithfully you follow blepharoplasty post-op instructions
• How well you manage your activity level

The bottom line is that your recovery is determined for the most part by two factors. The first is the nature and success of your procedure, and the second is your ability to faithfully follow your blepharoplasty post-operative instructions. The more you stick to the detailed list of dos and don’ts, the sooner you recover.

After you get home from eyelid surgery, the list of instructions includes tasks to perform, as well as things to avoid. The instructions can be divided into earlier and later periods of recovery time, such as:

Days one through five:

• For the first 24 hours, rest with your head elevated and apply cold compresses to your eyes every two to four hours.
• For one to two days, have someone help you to stand and move about.
• Wash the area gently to keep it clean.
• Expect a certain amount of swelling, discomfort or blurry vision.
• For the first four nights, sleep on your back with several pillows to elevate the head.
• Drink plenty of fluids daily to avoid post-surgical dehydration.
• Avoid excessive reading or screen time from day one through five, as it strains your eyes.
• Wait five days to insert contact lenses, if you wear them.
• Don’t bend over or lift heavy objects from day one through seven.

Weeks one through seven:

• For two weeks after surgery, avoid nicotine in any form, as it increases complications.
• Expect some itching and dryness in and around your eyes.
• Use no makeup near the incision area for two to three weeks.
• Wear dark sunglasses outdoors for the first three weeks.
• Continue to avoid strenuous activities for four to six weeks.
• Use sunblock with at least an SPF 15 for two to three months; new scars burn easily.

Read more: Blepharoplasty Post-Operative Instructions

The more you follow your surgeon’s instructions, the quicker you recover and prevent complications. It may be useful to create a fun system to motivate you. Whether it’s on your phone, an app or a giant white board, your list may include:

Days one through five:

• Having a countdown board
• Creating a color-coated calendar
• Setting up a reward schedule
• Buying an attractive personal planner
• Finding a goal buddy to check in with

If you stick to the plan and carry on, recovery from your eyelid surgery will be over before you know it. Then all that’s left to do is look in the mirror and smile — and take your best selfie in years.

As with any surgery, there’s a slight risk of adverse reactions or complications. Some risks with blepharoplasty include blurry vision, scars and muscle damage. Most complications can be treated and resolved with medications or revision blepharoplasty. And most are reduced or eliminated when you rely on the experience of a top plastic surgeon in Midtown Manhattan like Dr. Shokrian.

Your eyelid lift gives you back the eyes you loved when flashing a brilliant smile or giving a sassy look. Restoring one of your best features increases confidence in all areas of your busy life. Some of the benefits you receive from eyelid surgery include:

• Being less self-conscious during intimacy
• Wearing less eye-make up for a more natural face
• Loving seeing yourself in the mirror again
• Gaining confidence interacting with friends and co-workers
• Matching your exterior self with your inner self
• Reducing years of aging to your eyes in a few short months
• Getting life-long results from one treatment

While there are many things in life you can’t control, your appearance is one thing you can. A blepharoplasty may be just the ticket for the refreshed look you want.

Read more: Blepharoplasty FAQs