Blepharoplasty
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Miami, FL
A blepharoplasty is a type of eyelid surgery designed to rejuvenate the upper or lower eyelids. The surgery creates a more youthful-looking appearance for those with signs of eyelid aging or excess tissue in the area. As extremely delicate parts of the face, the eyelids can suffer the consequences of sun damage and loss of elasticity the most. Over time, collagen in the skin can degrade, leading to sagging or overly “hooded” upper eyelids and eye bags that do not go away with proper rest. Even if you are a younger person, these features can age you dramatically and make you feel self-conscious about your presentation to the world. In more severe cases, this excess tissue can even reduce your field of vision.
If you want to reveal the natural beauty of your eyes, book a consultation at Miracle Mile Cosmetic Surgery Center to see if a blepharoplasty is right for you. Our board-certified surgeons can introduce you to minimally invasive, minimal scarring techniques that will leave you more confident than ever before.
To learn more about the incredible benefits of this popular surgery, call our office in Miami at (305) 901-2388 or request a consultation via our contact form. We will explain your next steps and answer any questions you may have concerning the procedure itself.
Contents
Why Get a Blepharoplasty?
With the natural aging process, exposure to UV rays and pollution, and the effects of gravity, signs of aging can settle in around the eyes- the part of the body with the thinnest skin. With time, the skin produces less collagen necessary for skin rigidity, a vital anti-aging protein found abundantly in young skin. In addition, tiny fat deposits around the eyes can migrate downwards, resulting in more aged contours.
Research into combatting the effects of these changes began with Dr. Salvador Castañaresis in the early 1950s. Before developing a surgical approach to enhancing the eyelids, he studied the various pockets of fat around the eyes. This paved the way for him to use the first blepharoplasty techniques. (1) As eyelid surgery has developed, surgeons have made newer advancements that implement much smaller and more discreet incisions. Patients undergoing modern-day blepharoplasties can attain:
- More expressive, radiant eyes
- More eyelid space for makeup
- Improved contours with less fat weighing down the eyelid skin
- Clearer vision due to excess tissue removal
- Reduced or eliminated eye bags
Blepharoplasties are considered minimally invasive because incisions are well-hidden within the crease of the upper eyelid or beneath the lower eyelid. Your surgeon can customize your procedure to only include the upper or lower eyelids, or both if you choose. Procedures only take about 1 to 2 hours, and you will be discharged to go home on the same day.
Candidates for Eyelid Surgery
This surgery can create remarkable results for patients with no underlying health conditions that can affect the healing process. Your surgeon will consider you a candidate if your condition has been well-managed for a long period of time. Speak with your surgeon, in detail, if you have diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, or certain blood circulation issues. Our surgeons prefer patients who are non-smokers, but they will make an exception for those who are willing to quit for some time before and after surgery to promote the best recovery possible. Nicotine can restrict blood flow, slow down your healing, and possibly affect the quality of your results.
Personal Consultation
By scheduling a consultation at Miracle Mile, your surgeon can properly assess your eyelid regions and discuss their recommendations for restoring a more youthful expression. They will take into account your skin quality, facial symmetry, and your expectations for the procedure. They will tell you what your preparation process will look like, how the procedure will go, and provide aftercare instructions you will need to follow post-surgery. During this first appointment, you will be able to talk about your various concerns and ask as many questions as you would like, so please come prepared.
Call our office at (305) 901-2388, or inquire about our services with our contact form. We are located in Miami, the internationally recognized epicenter of plastic surgery and medical tourism.
Preparation
Before scheduling your surgery, your surgeon will first order blood tests to ensure you do not have a more pressing issue that needs treatment or disqualifies you from eyelid surgery. If you are a regular smoker, you should quit at least 4 weeks before your procedure date and continue to refrain for a few weeks following. At least a couple of weeks beforehand, you should stop taking any blood thinning medications and certain anti-inflammatories that can raise your risk of developing a complication. Your surgeon will conduct an in-depth review of your medications and supplements, so you will have comprehensive instructions regarding this part of preparation.
You should pick up any prescriptions beforehand so that you will have them readily available. You may also want to stock up on over-the-counter medications approved by your surgeon. Finally, consider buying a cold compress to relieve your eyelids of swelling in the first few days of healing.
Procedure Steps
Depending on the extent of your procedure, you may require general anesthesia, or you may only require local anesthesia with sedation. Many surgeons recommend local anesthesia with sedation in an effort to help patients cut down on hospital costs and avoid the side effects of general anesthesia.
Some patients choose to rejuvenate only their upper eyelids (upper blepharoplasty) or lower eyelids (lower blepharoplasty). A surgery that addresses aesthetic issues of both the lower and upper eyelids at the same time is called a quad blepharoplasty. To begin the procedure on the upper eyelids, your surgeon will start by making a tiny incision at the crease of each upper eyelid, gaining access to the fat layer. After removing minuscule amounts of bulging fat, they may utilize tightening methods to modify the structure of the orbicularis oculi muscle around each eye socket. They will then remove any excess skin and apply supportive, dissolvable sutures to close the incision.
To eliminate eye bags, your surgeon will make a near-invisible incision within the lower eyelid to remove excess fat and skin. They will also alter the lower lid tarsoligamentous complex, a portion of connective tissue. (2) They will use supportive dissolvable sutures to close this incision.
Recovery and Results
After the procedure, patients may experience temporary swelling, bruising, itchiness, dryness, and discomfort, but your surgeon will provide you with the medications you need to heal with ease. We will prescribe an antibiotic ointment to keep your incisions protected from infection and well-moisturized. Within about 2 to 3 weeks, your sutures will have completely dissolved, but you will be able to return to work much sooner. Within just 1 to 2 weeks of your surgery, you can begin to participate in light exercise, but you should refrain from strenuous exercise and makeup applications until your sutures dissolve. Any resulting scars from these incisions will fade within a few weeks, given that you follow aftercare instructions. Because of the location of eyelid surgery incisions, they will be nearly imperceptible.
Cost of Eyelid Surgery in Miami
The total costs of your surgery will depend on your specific treatment plan. At Miracle Mile, our goal is to provide patients with high-quality care that promotes optimal recovery. During your consultation with one of our surgeons, they will give you an estimate for your blepharoplasty and speak with you about our financing options that you may want to consider. We offer several financing plans with the nation’s most trusted companies: CareCredit, Alphaeon Credit, and PatientFi.
To get in touch with our Miami office, call (305) 901-2388, or fill out our contact form, and we will help you schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.
FAQ
Does eyelid surgery leave scars?
Upper blepharoplasty incisions heal completely within a month, and the remaining scars may take a few more weeks to almost completely fade. Surgeons place the incision within the upper crease of the upper eyelid, so they are discreet to begin with. Lower blepharoplasty scars are imperceptible because surgeons make incisions within the lower eyelid itself.
Can younger people get blepharoplasties?
Yes; younger patients can get blepharoplasties if they have eye bags that do not go away with proper rest or naturally very hooded eyelids. Just like other prospective patients, they must be evaluated by a primary doctor and deemed to be in good health.
When can I wear contacts after a blepharoplasty?
If you get an upper blepharoplasty, you will need to wait 1 week before you can resume using contact lenses. For a lower blepharoplasty or a quad blepharoplasty, you should wait at least 2 weeks.
References
- Espinoza GM, Holds JB. Evolution of Eyelid Surgery. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America. 2005;13(4):505-510. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2005.09.001
- Rebowe RE, Runyan C. Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482381/