There’s an excellent reason the eyes are known as “the window to the soul” – they communicate many messages without a word. However, it’s precisely because your eyes can express so much emotion that they are often the earliest part of your face to show telltale signs of aging.
As you get older, the appearance of your upper and lower eyelids could be conveying the sense that you are tired, sad, or unapproachable, even when none of those things are true. Fortunately, a surgery called a blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, can take years off your appearance and help revitalize the delicate skin around your eyes.
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What Is a Blepharoplasty?
During the aging process, eyelids become stretched, skin becomes thin, and the muscles surrounding the eyes weaken. As a result, you may have unwanted sagging and drooping of your eyelids and bags under your eyes that make you look fatigued, no matter how well-rested you are.
A blepharoplasty is a facial rejuvenation procedure that involves surgically improving the look of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. In performing this popular surgery, Dr. David Gerth can remove excess skin, tighten droopy eyelids, and reposition muscle and fat for a naturally rejuvenated appearance.
The Blepharoplasty Procedure
Blepharoplasty is a straightforward, outpatient procedure that is highly customized to your aesthetic goals. You can choose treatment as a stand-alone surgery, or in combination with another procedure such as a brow lift for even better results.
In upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Gerth will make tiny incisions in the natural creases above the eyes, through which he can remove excess skin and fat or minutely adjust the underlying muscles to achieve the desired results.
In lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Gerth can address the pocket of excess fat that often cause the appearance of heavy bags under the eyes. The procedure involves making small incisions either on the inside of the eyelids or around the lower eyelashes, depending on which approach Dr. Gerth decides will work best for you. Using these incisions, Dr. Gerth will create a smoother contour under the eyes by either removing or repositioning the fat deposits and tightening the muscles.
Who Should Seek a Blepharoplasty?
If others frequently assume you are tired or angry because of cosmetic aging around the eyes, a blepharoplasty can help your face look uplifted and youthful, giving you a newfound sense of confidence that your appearance accurately reflects who you are as a person.
Other affecting your appearance, significantly droopy upper eyelids can impede your ability to see. With blepharoplasty, Dr. Gerth can reduce or eliminate these vision problems, recontour your eyelids, and make your overall eye area appear young, bright, and alert.
The ideal candidate for eyelid surgery is a man or woman in good physical health who is dissatisfied with the laxity of skin around their eyelids, worried about their obscured vision, and has achievable goals for improving their appearance through cosmetic surgery.
You may consider blepharoplasty surgery if you have:
- Sagging upper eyelids
- Eyes that always make you look sleepy or unhappy
- Upper eyelids that have lost their shape and have begun to interfere with your peripheral vision
- Excess skin and fat on your lower eyelids that result in bags or puffiness under your eyes
Recovering from a Blepharoplasty Procedure
Eyelid surgery usually takes less than an hour on its own; Dr. Gerth performs it on an outpatient basis. However, if you choose to combine your blepharoplasty with another procedure such as a brow lift, you can expect your appointment to last a bit longer. Since you will be groggy from the anesthesia after your procedure, make sure to ask someone to drive you home afterward.
The most common side effects patients experience after an eyelid lift include redness, swelling, and soreness around the incision sites, which you can minimize by applying cold compresses. Additionally, you may find that your eyes more dry than normal or tear up excessively. Temporary blurred vision and sensitivity to light are also part of the recovery process for many.
You should plan to spend the first few days after your procedure resting comfortably at home. Your eyes will probably become tired sooner than usual for the first couple of weeks, so you should recognize the signs of eye strain and take frequent naps or breaks to speed the healing process. Your normal relaxation activities – such as watching TV and using electronic devices such as a computer or smartphone – can dry out your eyes and delay your recovery. Instead, plan to use your recovery time to catch up on all the audiobooks and podcasts people have told you about, but you’ve never gotten around to.
Most people who undergo a blepharoplasty will feel well enough to return to work a week or two after their surgery. However, if your job responsibilities involve sitting in front of a computer screen, you may wish to arrange for a part-time work schedule, if possible, to diminish the risk of prolonged eye strain as your recovery process progresses.
Get Younger-Looking Eyes in Miami Beach
When performed by triple-specialty trained South Florida cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Gerth, blepharoplasty can help reverse some of the most common signs of aging and restore a naturally refreshed appearance. Because the results are often subtle, most people won’t even realize you had surgery but may comment that you look much younger or happier.
To learn more about the advantages of blepharoplasty in the metropolitan Miami area, call our office to schedule your face-to-face consultation with Dr. Gerth. He takes pride in using his finely-honed skill set to provide outstanding results for patients of all ages and backgrounds, and his detailed knowledge of facial anatomy allows him to customize eyelid surgery outcomes that are tailored to each person’s individual goals. Whether you would like to improve the appearance of your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, Dr. Gerth and his surgical team have years of combined experience that can help you make your goals a reality.