Blepharoplasty

The eyelids are essential to the health of your vision. When upper eyelid skin becomes excessive or lax, the extra skin can obstruct vision out the corners of the eyes, creating a visual field deficit. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgery used to correct excess upper eyelid skin causing visual obstruction. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty can also be done to freshen and restore the upper eyelid to a more youthful appearance. Dr. Magill is a fellowship trained and board certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. She can evaluate the medical need for upper eyelid blepharoplasty or can counsel you about cosmetic upper eyelid surgery. The lower eyelid can also be treated with blepharoplasty surgery to tighten and refine its appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is an upper eyelid blepharoplasty performed?
An upper eyelid blepharoplasty is easily performed in the office under local anesthesia, or with some IV sedation depending on the preference of the patient. Excess skin is meticulously measured and then carefully removed. Stitches are then placed and removed approximately 1 week after the procedure.
Will medical insurance pay for my upper eyelid blepharoplasty?
If visual field testing shows that extra upper eyelid skin is blocking your vision, some medical insurances will help cover the cost of upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Peripheral vision is essential while driving, playing sports, and to navigate an increasingly busy world. Dr. Magill and her team will help determine if insurance will cover your upper eyelid blepharoplasty procedure. Photos are often taken to document the excess upper eyelid skin.
How is a lower eyelid blepharoplasty done?
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a completely different operation than surgery done for the upper eyelid. For lower eyelid blepharoplasty, an incision may be made on the inner part of the eyelid (the conjunctiva) or through the skin below the eyelashes. Fat may be removed or repositioned, and a very small amount of excess lower eyelid skin may be removed. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is performed under a brief general anesthetic.
Is it painful to have eyelid surgery?
It is normal to have tenderness the day of the procedure and possibly on the day after surgery; however, blepharoplasty surgery is typically not known as a painful or difficult surgery to recover from. In fact, most patients are happy with the minimal downtime, quickness of the procedure, and refreshed appearance to the eyelids.
What is the recovery time after eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty?
For upper eyelid blepharoplasty, swelling and bruising typically last for a week with some residual healing occurring over the month after surgery. It is recommended that you take a week off of work or other activities to recover. For lower eyelid blepharoplasty, Dr. Magill recommends taking 7 to 10 days to recover. Both surgeries are expected to cause bruising and swelling during the recovery period.

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