The eyes are often one of the first things people notice about you. Our eyes are incredibly expressive and make several subtle to dramatic movements throughout the day as we converse with different people and react to what’s happening around us. Since the eyes are a focal point of the face, it is usually noticeable when changes occur in this region. As a part of the natural aging process, eyelid skin stretches, muscles weaken, and fat accumulates around the eyes. These aging changes often appear as wrinkles, sagging skin, puffy eyelids, and undereye bags.
While aging signs are completely natural, many people dislike the changes in their appearance and feel like they no longer look like themselves. Eyelid lifts can be an excellent option for those who wish to restore a more youthful appearance to their eyes. Dr. Brue Kadz performs eyelid lift surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, to rejuvenate patients’ eyelids and enhance their confidence in their appearance.
Though Blepharoplasty (eye lifts) is often performed as a single procedure, it may be combined with a brow lift, face lift, or skin resurfacing to achieve the best results.
During your eyelid lift consultation, Dr. Kadz will discuss the surgical techniques he uses and which options would be a good fit for you to improve the appearance of your eyelids. The particular technique best for you will depend on many factors, such as the amount of excess fat and skin in the eyelid areas, the position of your eyebrows, and the condition of muscles around your eyelids.
In upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Kadz makes incisions along the natural creases of the eyelids. After the incision is made, excess fat, muscle, and loose skin are removed. Dr. Kadz uses fine sutures to close the incisions, minimizing the appearance of scars.
For lower eyelid surgery, the incision is made in an inconspicuous site along the lashline and smile creases of the lower lid. Excess fat, muscle, and skin are trimmed away before the incision is closed with fine sutures. Eyelid puffiness caused primarily by excess fat may be corrected by a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this case, the incision is made inside the lower eyelid, and excess fatty material is removed. When sutures are used to close this incision, they are invisible to the eye. They also self-dissolve and leave no visible scars.
Patients who want to improve the appearance of both the upper and lower eyelids may choose to combine both techniques in their procedure. An upper eyelid lift with a lower eyelid lift tightens the skin in both regions, trims excess skin, and adjusts the underlying tissues to create a more youthful look.
Patients are given anesthesia before eyelid surgery begins to make them more comfortable during the procedure. Dr. Kadz creates incisions around the eyelids; the locations will depend on the kind of eyelid lift the patient has chosen. Once the incisions are made, Dr. Kadz will adjust the underlying fat and muscles, removing excess fat if necessary. The eyelid skin will be tightened, and excess skin will be trimmed off. After all the necessary adjustments have been made, the incisions will be closed. Eyelid lifts usually take one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery.
After eyelid surgery, patients can expect to feel some discomfort in the eye region. The eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off, but pain medication can control any discomfort. Bruising varies from person to person; it typically peaks during the first week of recovery and can last anywhere from two weeks to a month.
Most people feel ready to go out in public and back to work within a week to 10 days. Dr. Kadz will give you specific aftercare instructions that may include incision care, when to remove bandages, and restrictions on certain activities. It is in your best interest to follow these instructions carefully to ensure a safe and smooth eyelid surgery recovery.
Many patients see their eyelid lift results around two weeks after their surgery. Eyelid surgery produces long-lasting results that can often be enjoyed for many years. While eyelid surgery rejuvenates the skin, it cannot stop the natural aging process. Patients can expect their eyelids to experience some changes as they continue to age. One of the best ways to maintain your results is to follow all postoperative instructions.
Patients can expect their eyelid lift cost to depend on a few key components. You’ll be paying for the surgeon’s fee, but you also must factor in additional costs such as anesthesia fees, surgical facility fees, and medication costs. Since eyelid surgery is customized, the cost will vary from patient to patient based on what their treatment plan entails.
Combination procedures may be suitable for patients who want to rejuvenate other facial areas besides the eyes. Combining procedures can give patients more harmonious results with only one recovery period. Some procedures that may be combined with eyelid lift surgery include:
Scheduling an eyelid lift consultation today can be the start of your facial rejuvenation. To learn more about eyelid lift surgery or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kadz, call Kadz Plastic Surgery at (980) 372-5239 or complete our online contact form.