Do you struggle with sagging or drooping eyelids? Drooping commonly occurs due to aging and other natural causes. When one or both eyelids sag downward, it can give the eyes a small and aged appearance. Many clients wish to resolve this to give themselves eyes that appear to be larger, rounder, and more open.
AM Facial Plastics provides eyelid surgery to correct drooping upper lids and give the eyes a younger appearance. Read on to learn more about this procedure and how it can resolve your sagging eyelids.
What Is Ptosis?
Ptosis is a common condition in which one or both upper eyelids droop downwards and give the eye a closed appearance.
Many cases of ptosis are congenital, which means that ptosis is present from birth. Another common cause is simply aging. With the natural decline in collagen and elastin that occurs during the aging process, the eyelids can become looser and drop downward.
Other cases of ptosis are acquired later in life due to certain medical conditions or trauma to the muscles and nerves that control the eyelid. Medical conditions that can cause eyelids to droop include the following:
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Myasthenia gravis
- Horner syndrome
- Occipital lobe tumors
The cause of your ptosis will be an important factor when addressing the condition. The underlying cause can determine how upper eyelid surgery is performed or whether your drooping eyelids can be treated in another way.
How Can Blepharoplasty Help Ptosis?
Blepharoplasty is a plastic surgical procedure that can resolve congenital ptosis and many cases of acquired ptosis. During a blepharoplasty, the extra muscle tissue that is affecting the movement of the upper eyelid is removed.
Any excess skin or fat that could be causing the eyelid to droop downwards is removed and tightened. This can effectively resolve upper eyelid drooping and give the eyes a larger, more open appearance.
In some blepharoplasty procedures, excess pockets of fat beneath the eyes may be removed. These are more commonly known as “under-eye bags,” and they can contribute to a small, aged appearance of the eyes.
The Complete Blepharoplasty Procedure
Are you seeking upper eyelid surgery to correct drooping or ptosis? It’s beneficial to have an understanding of what the procedure involves. Below is a breakdown of what to expect during the blepharoplasty process.
Before
Before scheduling a blepharoplasty procedure, you will need to have a consultation with our plastic surgeon. We will evaluate your upper eyelids and discuss your desired outcome.
Your consultation will also include a review of your medical history to determine the potential cause of your drooping eyelids. This is all to ensure that blepharoplasty is the right procedure for you.
A blepharoplasty procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on your unique needs. If your procedure is performed under general anesthesia, you will need to receive medical clearance in the weeks leading up to your surgery.
During
During your blepharoplasty, a discreet incision is made along the natural crease of your upper eyelid. Through this incision, excess fat, muscle, and skin is removed. If there is excess fat or skin on the lower lid, this will be removed through a small incision along the crease of the lower eyelid.
After
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient treatment, so you will be able to return home the same day after your blepharoplasty procedure. You may have bandaging placed on the upper eyelid, which should remain in place for several hours to a few days.
We will give you precise instructions on when to remove any bandages. For several weeks following your procedure, you will be required to keep the area clean with a mild cleanser. We may ask you to apply a topical ointment or cream as well.
You will receive a detailed guide on any necessary aftercare when you are discharged from your procedure. For about six to eight weeks, you will need to avoid applying cosmetics or other products to the eyelid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blepharoplasty
If you are interested in blepharoplasty, you may have some questions. Below are some common things that patients ask before having upper eyelid surgery.
Is Blepharoplasty Covered by Insurance?
In many cases, blepharoplasty is considered to be a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance.
For some patients, blepharoplasty is necessary because drooping eyelids obstruct their vision. In these instances, some insurance providers may provide coverage. You should speak to both your insurance provider and our team about coverage before scheduling any cosmetic treatment.
How Long Does a Blepharoplasty Procedure Take?
The duration of a blepharoplasty surgery can vary from patient to patient, but most procedures fall somewhere between two and three hours.
Will My Eyelid Surgery Produce Permanent Results?
Your blepharoplasty procedure will permanently alter your upper eyelid’s muscles, skin, and tissues. With that being said, it is possible to develop ptosis again, depending on the underlying cause.
If your upper eyelid droop was caused by an ongoing medical condition, your lid may continue to sag or appear partially closed. This is why it is important to identify the cause of your ptosis before surgery.
Upper Eyelid Surgery at AM Facial Plastics
Are you struggling with drooping or sagging eyelids? When one or both eyelids are affected by ptosis, it can make the eyes look smaller and prematurely aged. A blepharoplasty or upper eyelid surgery can remove the muscles, skin, and tissues contributing to ptosis and create the appearance of larger, more open eyes.
AM Facial Plastics in Beverly Hills, CA, provides blepharoplasty procedures for patients struggling with drooping eyelids. To find out whether you’re a candidate for upper eyelid surgery, call us to schedule a blepharoplasty consultation today.