Drooping and puffy eyelids can make a person look tired, even when they aren’t and can even make them look older than they are. If eyelids droop too much they can even interfere with the patient’s vision. This leads some people to turn to eyelid lifts, also called blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty can be performed in an outpatient center or a hospital.

There are actually several types of blepharoplasty. The cosmetic surgeon can treat both the upper and lower lids with traditional methods or laser. During traditional surgery the doctor will make incisions along the the natural creases of the lids, then remove excess tissue. Then, they’ll close up the incision with fine, tiny sutures so the surgical scars are hard to see.

Using laser around the eyes can be tricky and must be done with care. Blepharoplasty can be done with lasers, but only on the lower eyelids. During the procedure the dermatologist makes a tiny incision and inserts a laser fiber into it. The heat from this fiber melts the fat and firms up the skin around it. The incision is so tiny that it doesn’t need stitches. The dermatologist will have to evaluate whether the patient is a candidate for laser blepharoplasty.

Before the surgery the patient will have medical tests to make sure they don’t ave any conditions that would rule out eyelid surgery and will have to discontinue or modify any medications they’re already taking. The doctor will also ask them to stop smoking and avoid anti-inflammatory drugs that can interfere with blood clotting. The patient should arrange to have someone drive them home after the surgery and perhaps stay with them for a few days while they recover.

Most patients completely recover from their eyelid lift and are quite happy with their new look. Right after the surgery, however, the patient must take care to protect their eyes from the sun. Until the surgery is completely healed, they should wear dark sunglasses when they go out. The surgeon can also prescribe pain medications for discomfort and the eyes can also be soothed with ointments and the application of cold compresses.

For more information or to set up a consultation, contact the Center for Facial Plastic Surgery at http://www.centerforfacialplasticsurgery.com.