Eye Lift Surgery

What is the eye lift procedure like?

Eye lift surgery is usually a one- to three-hour procedure. Incisions are made in the eye lid to remove excess fat. These incisions follow natural contours, like the crease in the upper eyelid or just below the lash on the lower eyelid.

The eye lift surgeon may decide to make incisions on the outside or inside surface of the eyelid. This decision is based on the needs of the eye lift candidate. Incisions made on the outside surface of the lid can leave visible scars, but an incision on the outside is necessary if an eye lift includes removing excess skin. The visibility of scars is diminished by making incisions along natural eye contours and they can be easily covered with makeup. However, scarring may be more visible on darker skin types. Eye lift surgery incisions can also be on the inside surface of the eyelid and this is called transconjunctival blepharoplasty. This eye lift surgery technique hides any following scars behind the eyelid where they'll never be seen.

Upper lids tend to be worked on first in an eye lift surgery where both the upper and lower eyelids are modified. An eye lift surgeon will either use very small stitches to close incisions, a type of skin adhesive or surgical tape to close the incisions made during eye lift surgery.

In addition to removing fat and extra skin during an eye lift surgery, your surgeon will also tighten and support muscles and tendons. The weakening of these muscles and tendons is a significant factor in the aging of the eyes' appearance.

Ptosis is an additional condition that is sometimes corrected during a functional eye lift surgery. This is done when an eye lift patient's eyelid droops as low as the pupil of the eye. Ptosis is sometimes called "lazy eye."

Swelling and bruising follow the eye lift surgery and usually last one to two weeks. The final result becomes visible after several months. Browse your eye lift surgeon's before and after portfolio to see possibilities for final results.

Total eye lift surgery time depends on the amount of work being done. The amount of skin and fat being removed and where the tissue is located both play a part in the eye lift surgery's length. On average, the time is less than two hours.

Following surgery, medical staff will monitor an eye lift patient for complications in a recovery room. However, unless there are rare complications, you may go home from an eye lift surgery on the same day. The eye lift doctor will provide you with medications to aid healing and alleviate pain. As well, the surgeon will provide a lubricant for the eyes to prevent dryness. This lubricant will clause blurry vision and an eye lift patient will need a friend or relative to drive her home after the surgery.

What is the history of eye lift procedures?

Modern blepharoplasty is almost 200 years old and the first techniques were pioneered by a German surgeon in 1818. The original purpose was to remove cancers from the eyelids, but evolved to contemporary eye lift procedures. Even the ancient Greeks and Egyptians wrote down procedures for cosmetic surgery. Contemporary eye lift surgery benefits from the learning and wisdom of many surgical pioneers of the past.

Cosmetic surgery was unpopular and sometimes banned during the Middle Ages. This was due to some ideology about modifying the appearance through things like eye lifts, but was primarily driven by a severe lack of hygiene and the ethical concerns of doing more harm than good when infection was so likely. However, the Renaissance brought about a renewed interest in ancient surgery techniques that included primitive forms of eye lifts.

World War I and II catalyzed the development of new surgery techniques. The high number of casualties resulting in potential disfigurement drove surgeons of the time to pioneer cosmetic surgeries that would repair the appearance of soldiers injured in battle. Contemporary eye lift techniques benefit greatly from the lessons learned in this era.

What's a timeline for an eye lift?

While time for eye lift consultation, eye lift surgery and recovery will vary to meet every patient's individual needs, a general timeline can help you decide how much time you should reserve for your procedure.

Eye lift Consultation:

The first step is to set up a consultation with an eyelift surgeon. Here, the surgeon can evaluate the eye lift candidate, explain the range of options available and provide direction to further decision-making resources.

Eye lift Surgery (1-3 hours):

Initial Recovery (1-2 weeks): Significant swelling and bruising accompany eyelift surgery. The degree may be alarming at first glance and it is not uncommon for an eye lift patient to call a surgeon once home, worried that the job was botched. Bruising and swelling subside significantly after the first days of healing and a good eye lift surgeon will prepare the patient for what to expect.

Eye lift Full Result (6 months):

The final result of eye lift surgery will be fully set by the six-month mark. In the months following the surgery, muscle and tissue surrounding the eye adapt to the reduction in fat, removal of skin and strengthening of surrounding muscles. As well, scars from any outside-the-lid incisions fade throughout these first six months.

What should I expect during surgery?

Your eye lift surgeon will set expectations for details that will accompany your personal eye lift surgery. The time and intensity of the eye lift procedure will vary based on your particular needs.

Your eye lift surgeon should also discuss with you local versus general anesthesia. Local anesthesia leaves the patient awake during eye lift surgery, but is cheaper and allows for faster recovery. General anesthesia

Eye Lift Surgery: General anesthesia versus local anesthesia

There are two types of anesthesia that can be used in any surgery, including eye lift surgery: general and local. Each type has its pros and cons and your eye lift surgeon will discuss with you which should be used.

General anesthesia: This method of anesthesia uses either a gas or drugs to alter the patient's consciousness. Usually, the patient is asleep and will not remember the eye lift procedure. As this method affects the entire body, it can slow recovery time from an eye lift as the entire body must recover from the anesthesia, not just the site where the patient is treated. General anesthesia is a more expensive option, but your eye lift surgeon may use general anesthesia if he believes you will benefit more from full sedation.

Local anesthesia: This method of anesthesia uses a drug injection at the site of surgery only to relieve pain and sensation. The eye lift patient will be conscious under local anesthesia, but the eye lift surgeon may administer drugs may to calm the patient and alleviate potential stress associated with surgery. Local anesthesia is less costly than general anesthesia and your eye lift surgeon can discuss with you which method is ideal for your surgery.

Who is a good candidate for eye lift surgery?

A consultation with an eye lift surgeon will give you the best idea if you are a good candidate for eye lift surgery. In the meantime, people who fit the following criteria make good candidates for eye lift surgery:

People who know why they want eye lift surgery and have clear goals for it. Cosmetic surgery shouldn't be done to fit oneself into a standard of beauty or because of the pressure of others.
Healthy individuals who don't have conditions that may hinder healing or any life-threatening illnesses such as circulatory disorders or thyroid disorders.
Non-smokers or individuals able to cease smoking for the recommended time prior to surgery
Individuals who do not have any serious eye conditions such as dry eye, glaucoma or a detached retina.

If you have any of the following, you should tell your eye lift surgeon during consultation:

Severe eye conditions, such as dry eye, glaucoma or a detached retina.
Cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or cardiovascular disease
Thyroid conditions such as an under or over active thyroid or Graves' Disease.