At the office of Dr. Bruce Kadz in Beverly Hills, CA, many of our clients are concerned about the appearance of their upper or lower eyelids. They are interested in an eye lift, but they’re not sure yet if it’s right for them. If you are in this same boat, read on to discover everything you need to know about this procedure.
Everything You Need to Know About an Eye Lift
The Procedure Itself Only Lasts 45 Minutes
An eye lift only lasts around 45 minutes. Of course, this depends on whether you are correcting sagging skin on your upper lids, lower lids, or both. It also depends on several other factors, including how extensive you need the procedure to be to achieve your ideal aesthetic. If you are having other procedures performed simultaneously, you’re looking at a couple of hours.
The Results Can Last a Lifetime
The results of a lower eye lift can last a lifetime. If you receive upper blepharoplasty, you may need a follow-up procedure in five to seven years. Or, you may find that you would benefit more from a brow (forehead) lift. To extend the results of an upper eyelid lift, it is very important to care for your overall health and skin health.
To do this, we strongly recommend that our clients stop smoking. You will need to stop smoking in the six weeks preceding and proceeding your procedure, anyway. Nicotine consumption is terrible for the collagen and elastin required to keep your skin tight and smooth. You should also make an effort to remain hydrated and eat plenty of nutrients.
The Results Are Rapid
Most cosmetic procedures take between six weeks and a year to recover from. It can also take this long to see your results. In stark contrast, it takes only a week or two to recover from this procedure fully and enjoy the full results of your eyelid correction.
It Doesn’t Smooth Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Most people opt for this procedure to shave years off their faces. However, the procedure does not erase fine lines and wrinkles. If you have anti-aging concerns, such as fine lines, moderate wrinkles and deep folds, you may need another anti-aging procedure performed along with this one. For instance, you may benefit from a facelift.
Depending on the signs of aging you are concerned by, you may benefit the most from dermal fillers or Botox. Botox is a neuromodulator approved by the FDA for safety and efficacy in 2002. Interestingly, it was originally approved to stop uncontrollable eyelid muscle spasms. This injectable is used to erase aging lines caused by muscle hyperactivity.
The Procedure Is Completely Painless
While you may be “under the knife” for a couple of hours, you will experience no pain or discomfort. Before your procedure, your anesthesiologist will consult with Dr. Kadz to review your medical history and determine the safest, most effective form of anesthesia for you to receive.
Most of our clients are put under general anesthesia. However, if Dr. Kadz determines that your heart and lungs aren’t healthy enough for you to be put under general anesthesia, you will be put under intravenous or oral sedation and local anesthesia.
The Procedure Is Straightforward
If you are having both your upper and lower lids lifted, Dr. Kadz will work on your upper eyelids first. The most common technique used involves incising along the natural lines of your upper lids. Through these incisions, the skin is separated from the underlying tissue. Any excess muscle, fat, and skin are removed. Tiny stitches close the incisions.
Depending on the technique used for lower blepharoplasty, you may or may not need stitches. If you only need fat removed from your lower eyelid, the incision will be made inside your lower lid. To remove fat, skin, and muscle from the lower lid, the incision will be made along the eyelash margin.
Preparation Is Equally Straightforward
Whether you are put under general anesthesia or sedation and local anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you to and from your procedure. You also need someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours post-op so you can rest your eyes and focus on your recovery. Expect to not drive for around a week post-op as your eyelids heal.
We strongly recommend scheduling a full week off of work, particularly if you have an office job. Some of our clients choose to take two weeks off of work. Stop taking NSAIDs two weeks pre-op and stop consuming nicotine and alcohol pre-op. To prepare your home for your recovery process, please ensure you have the following on hand:
- Clean washcloths and towels
- Small gauze pads
- Eye drops or artificial tears
- Acetaminophen
- Ice pack or bags of frozen foods
- Ice cubes
This Procedure Is Commonly Performed Along With a Facelift
The collagen and elastin in your eyelids are likely to break down the most quickly due to how thin the skin is in this area. Thus, your eyes are usually the first place to show signs of aging. However, some people don’t consider an eyelid lift until the rest of their face starts to show signs of aging. Therefore, we commonly see people receiving blepharoplasty and a facelift.
Just as there are several options for blepharoplasty, there are several types of facelifts. At the office of Dr. Bruce Kadz in Beverly Hills, CA, we offer a deep plane facelift, SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) lift and mid-facelift. By combining treatments, you ensure just one recovery period and save money.
If You Want Dramatic Results, We’ve Got You Covered
Besides the three types of facelifts mentioned above, we offer several other types of facelifts. However, our two most popular are the deep plane facelift and SMAS facelift. A facelift involves the removal of excess skin and the tightening and reshaping of the underlying muscle and skin tissue.
These procedures provide unbelievably dramatic results. However, with the artful eye and skilled hand of Dr. Kadz, you will still look like yourself.
You Are Probably a Good Candidate
Most of our clients who receive this procedure are at least 35 years of age. However, if you are younger than 35, you may still be a good candidate for this procedure. For instance, some people are born with bad genes and need this procedure in their 20s or early 30s. During your initial consultation, Dr. Kadz will review your situation to determine if this procedure is for you.
Generally, the best candidate for this procedure is a non-smoker who is concerned by drooping or baggy upper or lower eyelids. It is also important that you can stop taking blood thinners and are in fairly good health. Again, Dr. Kadz will review all of this with you during your initial consultation to ensure you are healthy enough to undergo this procedure.
Your Health Insurance Provider May Cover Your Procedure
If your upper eyelids are sagging so much that they are impeding your vision, schedule a vision test with your ophthalmologist. This test will confirm that your eyelids are impeding your vision and your health insurance provider will cover your procedure if you have met your deductible for the year.
You Can Cashflow Your Procedure
You don’t have to pay for your procedure upfront if you don’t want to. We are proud to partner with CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit so our clients may pay for their procedure over time with affordable monthly payments and even more affordable interest rates.
CareCredit offers several financing options, including 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Alphaeon Credit offers incredible interest-free financing if you pay for your procedure in full according to your six- or 12-month plan.
Learn More About Blepharoplasty Today
Are drooping upper eyelids making you look older than you actually are? Are they impeding your vision? Do you have sagging lower eyelids that make you look heavier than you actually are? If so, an eye lift may be right for you.
If you think you are a good candidate for this eye lift treatment, or you want to learn more about the procedure, we are more than happy to help. To learn more, contact us today at the office of Dr. Bruce Kadz in Beverly Hills, CA to schedule your initial consultation.
