Over time, frequent sun exposure, the effect of gravity, hereditary traits or certain lifestyle habits such as not wearing sunglasses can cause signs of premature aging to creep up around the eyes. In addition, as time passes, the skin loses its elastic quality and starts to sag. Muscle tone is lost, and fat is displaced. All these factors can cause heavy, drooping upper eyelids, sagging lower eyelids and / or dark circles under the eyes. The result is often an exhausted, depressed or concerned facial appearance.

Also, many patients of certain ethnicities, such as individuals of Asian heritage, are frustrated that they do not have a distinct crease in their upper eyelids, causing the appearance of “monolids.”

When these developments occur, it might be time to pursue eyelid surgery. With blepharoplasty, the talented facial plastic surgeons at the Plastic Surgery Group eliminate excess skin and fat from the upper and / or lower eyelids to produce a more defined upper-eyelid crease or a rejuvenated look throughout the eye area.

The best way to establish surgical candidacy is to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as the ones at the Plastic Surgery Group, so he or she can examine the look of the eyes and recommend an appropriate treatment protocol to satisfy the patient’s surgical objectives.

Suitable candidates for eyelid surgery generally include individuals who:

• Have an overall healthy self-image but are bothered by the look of their sagging upper eyelids, drooping lower eyelids or both.
• Are possibly frustrated with the look of “monolids”
• Are in good overall health
• Have made the independent decision to pursue eyelid surgery
• Are not currently pregnant
• Understand the possible risks as well as rewards of eyelid surgery

During consultation, the plastic surgeon examines the entire periorbital area, which includes the eyebrows, eyes and cheeks, to establish the degree of facial rejuvenation needed. The surgeon may recommend adjunct brow lift surgery or mid-facelift surgery to optimize the aesthetic results of eyelid surgery.

Blepharoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis. For patients requiring an extensive degree of rejuvenation during eyelid surgery, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Certain patients undergoing less-extensive surgical rejuvenation may opt for local anesthesia and IV sedation.

If the surgeon is treating all four eyelids, he or she starts with the upper lids. The New Jersey eyelid lift surgeon places incisions in the fold of the upper eyelid and eliminates the excess skin. He or she also eliminates bulging fat and other tissue from this region, as necessary, to optimize the contour. Once the surgeon is satisfied with the new look of the eyelids, he closes the incisions with stitches that are removed about five days after the procedure.

To treat the lower eyelids, the surgeon places the incisions either directly inside the lower lids or just underneath the lower eyelashes. He or she again removes any excess skin, fat and other tissues from this region before closing the incisions with stitches.

Patients typically need to take one to two weeks off from work or their everyday activities. Although many patients have recovered sufficiently to return to work within one week, it may take up to two weeks for all residual symptoms to subside completely, so it is not readily apparent that the patients have had any “work” done on their eyes.

The treatment area may be swollen or bruised, but, again, these symptoms should improve within about two weeks of surgery. During this time, individuals may opt to use makeup to conceal any bruising or discoloration. Patients should avoid strenuous activity, including vigorous exercise, for about two weeks (Walking is fine.)

Sutures placed on the upper eyelid or beneath the lower eyelashes are removed about five days after surgery during a follow-up appointment. Stitches positioned inside the lower eyelid will dissolve on their own. With proper care, any scars from the incisions should fade over time and eventually become nearly invisible once the treatment area has healed.