Eyelid Surgery

Eye lifts (blepharoplasty) are one of the most-often requested procedures by both men and women. It’s a relatively small surgery, but its effects are large and dramatic on your facial appearance.

So often, aging is first noticeable around the eyes. Crows feet appear, fine lines start showing at the outer corners, and the eyelids become droopy with fatty deposits and excess skin. You may have had a good eight hours’ sleep every night of your life, but will still be getting a tired look from these changes. It doesn’t mean you now feel tired; just as frown lines don’t necessarily mean that you feel annoyed, and deepening nasolabial folds that droop at the corners of the mouth don’t mean that you feel depressed.

What does blepharoplasty do?

It removes excess fat from the eyelids, and excess skin and muscle. It gives the eyes a more wide-open look, eliminating droopiness. For some people it even improves vision, if the upper eyelid had been drooping so far as to interfere with vision.

What eyelid surgery does not do

It cannot remove crows feet. It cannot raise droopy eyebrows, so you might want to look into having a forehead lift for this. Nor can it lighten the skin if you have dark circles under your eyes. It can improve the bagginess though, and Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Weil could use a laser or chemical peel to help with that discoloration.

The blepharoplasty procedure

No surgery outcome is guaranteed. Dr. Weil will discuss surgical risks with you beforehand and make sure that you have realistic expectations for your eyelid surgery.

The upper and lower eyelids can be done in the same procedure, or separately. The surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, with local anesthetic and an IV sedation line. You’ll need someone to drive you home afterwards.

• Dr. Weil will make the incisions so that the resulting little scars will be virtually invisible. They will be hidden in the natural creases of the upper eyelid and inside the lower eyelid, or very slightly below the lash line.
• The upper eyelids are given a curvy and very precise incision to remove extra fat and skin, and tighten the muscles.
• The lower eyelids are given a shorter incision to remove excess skin and remove or redistribute fatty tissue.
• Absorbable sutures will close the incisions, or sometimes a skin adhesive is used.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery

At first there will be bruising and swelling. Be careful to protect your eye areas while they heal, and to follow Dr. Weil’s self-care instructions to the letter. Be sure and go for your follow-up visits so Dr. Weil can catch any potential problem early, and correct it. As the swelling subsides, you will see the big change in your eyes, their more alert and youthful appearance.

On our Eye Lid Surgery Patient Photos page you can see some Before and After photos of eyelid surgery, as well as of other procedures we offer for facial enhancement.

If you would like to have a free initial eye lift consultation, please call or email our cosmetic surgery office. We serve the entire areas of San Francisco, San Jose, and Walnut Creek. We hope to meet with you soon.