Upper Eyelid Plastic Surgery in St. Louis, St. Peters & Arnold, MO
What is Upper Blepharoplasty, or Plastic Surgery of the Eye?
Blepharoplasty is the medical name for eyelid surgery. The eyelid is often the first facial areas to exhibit signs of aging, so eyelid surgery corrects sagging or dropping eyelids. Full upper eyelids, known as dermatochalasis or blepharochalasis, can make you look tired and older than you are. Eyelid surgery almost immediately restores a youthful appearance that will accentuate your eyes by removing excess fat and skin from the eyelid area.
The results are usually very natural-looking and will result in a more relaxed and rested appearance. There are several different types of blepharoplasty, depending on what needs to be corrected. Whether your goals are more functional or cosmetic based.
candidates for Upper Eyelid Surgery
Candidates for cosmetic eyelid surgery are unhappy with the appearance of their upper eyelids and the impact it has on their overall appearance. If your upper eyelids are drooping, puffy, or have excess skin, you might be a good candidate for eyelid surgery. Ideal candidates must be in good health, have healthy facial tissue, and do not have any eye conditions. However, if your upper eyelids are causing problems due to visual obstruction, you may be a candidate for functional upper blepharoplasty, which is covered by health insurance.
“Dr. Holds was recommended and I was out of work for 7-10 days. Very pleased with progress and I would recommend Dr. Holds to anyone that needs a blepharoplasty.” -Vitals Review
Eyelid Surgery Consultation
During your consultation, our Board-Certified Ophthalmologists, will discuss surgical goals, what is attainable, and will create a plan specifically for you. It is important to have realistic expectations and a mutual understanding of goals. Patients will need to provide a medical history, list of current medications, and disclose any major illnesses. Some medications may be off limits for a week prior to eyelid surgery.
Next, our team will perform an examination to look for any eye conditions such as dry eye. Certain eye conditions can limit or alter the surgical plan. Our team is highly knowledgeable of eye diseases and concerns. Some of the best facial and cosmetic surgeons in the St. Louis area refer patients to our team.
Upper Eyelid Surgery with Our Team
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery is one of the most popular surgeries that cosmetic surgeons perform. It is an outpatient procedure our team performs under local anesthesia. In addition, patients can take a sedative that will help them relax or sleep during the surgery. The whole procedure takes about 1 to 2 hours depending on the patient’s eyelids.
First, our team will make an incision in the crease of your upper eyelid so that the small scar is hidden. Depending on what is causing the drooping lids, he will remove fat pockets or excess skin to create a normal, symmetrical lid. Of course, our team is careful to optimize symmetry to make sure that your eyes match as closely as possible. Eyebrow position is also considered as it is particularly important in relation to upper eyelid surgery. Finally, our team will close the incisions with sutures and cover the area with gauze.
Eyelid Surgery Before And After
Upper Eyelid Surgery Recovery
After surgery, you will need to have someone available to drive you home. After the anesthetic wears off, bruising, swelling, and soreness may develop. If necessary, medication can be taken to decrease the pain. Additionally, our team may give you eye drops or ointments to apply for one to two weeks. Patients can visit our team about 6-8 days later to remove the sutures.
Patients will need to sleep with their heads elevated and apply ice packs to your eyes periodically. This will keep inflammation down. After about a week, patients can return to work. In two weeks, patients can wear contacts, apply makeup, and exercise, at which time the bruising should have completely disappeared.
Blepharoplasty Results
Additional options for Eye Plastic Surgery
Sometimes, patients choose to undergo upper eyelid surgery at the same time as additional procedures to enhance the beauty of other parts of the face. For example, you may want to improve the appearance of your lower lids with a lower blepharoplasty. Additionally, patients can receive a brow lift or endoscopic brow elevation. If the drooping lid is the result of a weakened muscle in the eyelid, called Ptosis, you may need ptosis repair surgery.
How painful is an Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty procedures are some of the most conservative in all of plastic surgery. This makes upper blepharoplasty well-suited to be an office procedure performed using a sedative and local anesthetic. Treatment begins with the oral sedative. This can take from 10 to 30 minutes to achieve its intended effect. When you are relaxed, the doctor will use a tiny needle to inject the local anesthetic into the upper eyelid skin. The first “pinch” of the needle is the only one that you will feel because the numbing medication works almost immediately. Your eyelids should remain numb for an hour or longer.
How long will the results of my Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty last?
Experts have said that, on average, upper blepharoplasty can last five to seven years. However, there is no way to predict the outcome of every case. People who take good care of their skin, particularly in the area of UV protection, can prolong the rejuvenating effects of their eyelid surgery. At some point after the initial procedure, a patient may want to touch up the eye area. This may not require surgery. In fact, most people who have well-done blepharoplasty do not repeat this surgery.
What can I expect from an Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty?
After the brief procedure, you can expect a short recovery period of a week to 10 days. During this time, you may experience mild to moderate soreness or tenderness. You can take an approved medication to maintain optimal comfort as your eyelids heal. Most blepharoplasty patients are ready to go back to work after one week of rest. The eyelids look smoother and younger right after surgery, even with mild bruising and swelling. These results continue to develop over several weeks or months, and they are expected to last many years.
Can you watch TV after an Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty?
Can both men and women undergo the Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty procedure?
Yes. Upper blepharoplasty is appropriate for men and women of all ages. The doctor is familiar with the slight differences between facial anatomy and the skin and can tailor each procedure to meet the patient’s needs.