Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery or eyelid lift, is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids by tightening soft tissues or removing excess skin, muscle, and fat from around the eyes.
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift surgery, removes sagging skin from the eyelids to lift, tighten, and rejuvenate the eye area. Blepharoplasty achieves a more youthful, refreshed appearance, focusing on either the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both.
During upper eyelid surgery in New York, the excess skin and fat of the upper lids is removed to correct hooded or sleepy-looking eyelids. Lower eyelid surgery addresses the puffy bags or hollows, and loose skin under the eyes to achieve a smoother, rejuvenated eyelid appearance.
Blepharoplasty is now the most popular facial plastic surgery procedure after rhinoplasty (cosmetic surgery of the nose.) The popularity of this procedure reflects the importance of the eyes in optimizing overall facial appearance. In fact, most adults consider the eyes to be the defining feature of the face. If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your eyes, you may want to consider blepharoplasty to improve your look and boost your confidence through a safe procedure with minimal downtime. This procedure can be beneficial to both men and women alike.
Our eyes serve crucial functions for both vision and communication with others. The way our eyes look is very important, as they are a key physical attribute of both aesthetics and displaying emotion. Unfortunately, the area around the eyes is often one of the first to exhibit signs of age, as the skin of the eyelid is extremely thin and delicate and any changes in this area are quickly evident.
The skin and shape of the eyelids give an indication of a person’s age. The eyelids may start to droop and sag as the supporting tissues become thinner. This may be caused by several factors, such sun damage, smoking, obesity, and simply age itself. In addition, eyelids that droop or bulge can cause people to appear much older or fatigued than they actually are.
Men and women who would be appropriate candidates for eyelid surgery in New York are those who:
It’s also important for patients to have realistic expectations for what eyelid surgery can do. While this procedure can certainly enhance your appearance and may improve self-confidence as a result, it cannot alter your entire facial appearance or change the structure of your face.
Before your eyelid surgery, you will meet with Dr. Hutchinson for a consultation so that she can formulate a personalized treatment plan for you. She will meet with you within an elegant, quiet, and unhurried ambiance where you can feel relaxed and comfortable asking her anything. Here’s what you can expect during your consultation:
Dr. Hutchinson performs all surgeries either in her fully AAAASF accredited operating room at her Upper East Side office or at one of her affiliated NYC hospitals.
The blepharoplasty procedure is most often performed under monitored local anesthesia with intravenous sedation.
Patients may choose to have this procedure on either their upper or lower eyelids or on both upper and lower eyelids concurrently.
Depending on these choices, the procedure can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
If the upper eyelids are being treated, Dr. Hutchinson will make an incision along the natural crease of the eyelid. Once this incision is made, she may remove fat deposits, excess muscle, and loose skin to create a more youthful, awakened appearance.
For the lower eyelids, Dr. Hutchinson’s scarless procedure uses a transconjunctival approach.
This involves operating from within the inside of the lower lid, which leaves no visible scar. Alternatively, an external incision may be made just below the lash line so that excess skin can be removed.
After the eyelid lift surgery is performed, the incisions are closed with sutures, which will be removed after 5-7 days.
A transconjunctival lower eyelid blepharoplasty does not require any sutures.
After your eyelid surgery in New York, Dr. Hutchinson may recommend applying eye drops, lubricating ointment, and cold compresses to aid the healing process and minimize side effects such as swelling, bruising, irritation, or dry eyes. It is essential that you maintain head elevation during recovery.
Patients can usually return to work within a few days but should avoid exercise and strenuous activities for two weeks.
Swelling and bruising usually subside within a couple of weeks after surgery. Dr. Hutchinson will give you specific and detailed instructions on how to care for your eyes after blepharoplasty surgery.
Eyelid surgery results become apparent as swelling and bruising resolve and will continue to improve for several weeks after surgery. The scars from an eyelid lift are usually imperceptible and will fade with time until they are virtually invisible. The incision is hidden in the crease of the eyelid in an upper blepharoplasty. In a lower blepharoplasty, it is placed inconspicuously just below the lower lashes or completely hidden inside the eyelids.
Blepharoplasty is designed to produce long lasting results, with permanent removal of the skin, fat, and muscle. While surgery cannot prevent your eyes from aging, most patients are extremely satisfied with their results and notice a significant improvement in their appearance.
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson seeks to exceed her patients’ expectations and provide the highest level of care for each individual patient. A diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, she has advanced specialized training in aesthetic plastic surgery. Considered one of the top plastic surgeons in New York City, Dr. Hutchinson is frequently sought out due to her outstanding credentials from Harvard and Columbia and excellent results that her patients appreciate. If you’re interested in eyelid surgery with Dr. Hutchinson, contact us online or call us at (212) 452-1400.
How long do eyes feel tight after blepharoplasty?
What should you not do before blepharoplasty?
How long after blepharoplasty will I look normal?
How do you clean your eyes after blepharoplasty?
How should I sleep after eyelid surgery?
What other procedures complement blepharoplasty?
What are the risks of blepharoplasty?
It is normal to feel some swelling and tightness for about one week after eyelid surgery. This is expected as part of the recovery process and will gradually resolve on its own.
You should not take aspirin or any blood-thinning medications for 2 weeks before surgery, as these can increase bleeding and bruising. Do not smoke for at least 2 weeks prior to your surgery as it interferes with normal healing.
It will take about 2 - 3 weeks for bruising and swelling to resolve sufficiently so signs of eyelid surgery become inconspicuous. Sutures are usually removed 5 days after surgery and most patients are comfortable going back to their usual routine or work schedule within 14 days.
Use cotton-tipped applicators with saline to gently clean your eyelids. Only use ophthalmic drops and/or lubricating ointment as prescribed.
The best way to sleep after eyelid lift surgery is on your back with your head elevated. This helps minimize swelling and speed up recovery. Keeping cool compresses on your eyelids for the first 48 hours after surgery will also help reduce swelling.
For even more noticeable results, some patients may benefit from additional facial rejuvenation procedures performed at the same time as their eyelid surgery. These procedures include brow lift, facelift, neck lift, and rhinoplasty. The skin of the lower eyelid may also be smoothed and tightened with a resurfacing procedure such as microneedling, a chemical peel, or laser treatment, which creates smoother skin with fewer wrinkles.
As with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks. Although rare, these include bleeding, infection, dry eyes, eyelid malposition, and an inability to fully close the eyes. Many of these risks can be minimized by choosing an experienced surgeon such as Dr. Hutchinson and closely following proper care instructions after surgery.
Model images are used throughout the site and may not represent actual patients.
