With natural aging comes volume loss and sagging skin, which can detract from the tight and smooth skin present in your youth. Much of this skin can begin to collect around the eyes, pulling them downward and giving you a tired appearance. Additionally, functional issues can occur that impair your vision and make it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks. To rejuvenate the face and improve your quality of life, Dr. Clayman recommends eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).
Patients often combine eyelid surgery with a facelift to produce optimal enhancement, but Dr. Clayman can determine which technique will benefit your personal goals during a consultation in his office. Eyelid surgery can address the upper lid for full rejuvenation and to alleviate any practical concerns. The lower lid can be addressed with medical grade skin care treatments.
Is Eyelid Surgery Right for You?
During a personal consultation, Dr. Clayman will assess the skin around your face and eyes. If you show significant sagging that disrupts the contour of the eyes or impairs your vision, then blepharoplasty may be right for you. If you are healthy and have realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure, then you should benefit from surgery.
Because every patient has a unique eye structure, blepharoplasty must be tailored to the individual. Dr. Clayman will determine the best way to enhance the eyes in a way that complements your natural beauty. The goal is to create results that look completely natural to your face in a way that does not suggest the presence of plastic surgery.
Eyelid surgery can be used to treat:
- Folding skin around the eyes
- Fatty deposits that create puffy skin
Because the eyelids play an integral role in the contour of the face, the sagging skin could be the result of volume loss in other regions, such as the forehead or due to the contraction of specific muscles. Dr. Clayman will perform an examination to locate the cause of the sagging skin and design a custom treatment plan based on his findings. One treatment technique that many patients find useful is the addition of a facelift or other facial rejuvenation procedures that target sagging skin throughout the facial region. Opting for simultaneous surgeries can ensure long-lasting results and your ultimate satisfaction.
Techniques for Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery techniques create incisions as inconspicuously as possible so as to reduce the appearance of any scarring. For upper eyelid procedures, an incision is usually made along the natural crease of the eye. For the lower lids, Dr. Clayman can instruct you on how to apply skin care treatments properly.
Once Dr. Clayman creates the incision, he will begin to remove excess skin and fatty tissues that are detracting from the youthfulness of the eyes. Additionally, he can reposition fat to enhance volume if certain areas of the eyes appear hollow. The method he uses will depend on your individual treatment plan and your cosmetic goals.
Recovering from Blepharoplasty
Dr. Clayman will close your incisions with sutures and provide detailed recovery instructions that help ensure the ease of your healing process. It’s vital that you follow Dr. Clayman’s directions correctly to expedite your recovery and reduce any risk of infection. Instructions may include how to care for and clean your incisions, dosages for oral or topical medications, and potential risk factors to consider.
Typically, you will experience some swelling and bruising immediately after surgery. Your eyes may also feel dry and uncomfortable for the first few days of your recovery. Using cold compresses and sun protection will ensure that your eyes heal properly. Recovery times vary for individual patients, depending on the extent of the surgery, but most patients see full results after several weeks.
When your incisions have healed, you will begin to notice total rejuvenation throughout your face, especially if you have had other procedures performed in addition to blepharoplasty. Your facial expressions should appear more excitable, and your eyes should express an alertness that helps you look years younger.
For more information about blepharoplasty, or to find out whether eyelid surgery is right for you, contact Dr. Clayman’s Plastic Surgery Center and Miracle Spa at (904) 388-6110 and schedule a consultation .