Eyelid surgery
Many individuals from Boston, MetroWest, Wellesley and Sudbury visit Accurate Aesthetics with the same complaint: I perpetually look exhausted due to the dark circles, or “bags” under my eyes, even though I get a good night’s sleep each night and feel well-rested. Others seek the expertise of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Katherine Hein because their sagging eyelids make them look distressed, depressed, or perplexed, even though they are happy, optimistic individuals.
The eyes are one of our most expressive facial features. In fact, most people are familiar with the saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul,” which effectively illustrates how much emotion is conveyed through the eyes. That is why it is so unfortunate when outside factors cause the eyelids to droop, making individuals look sad or older than their actual age, when they are actually happy and full of youthful vigor.
At Accurate Aesthetics, we offer patients in the Boston area, including MetroWest, Wellesley, and Sudbury, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to correct the look of sagging upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. With blepharoplasty, Dr. Hein helps patients achieve a more refreshed look throughout the eyes, for a well-rested, optimistic, and rejuvenated appearance.
If you’re considering eyelid surgery, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it is performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on the individual patient and the surgeon. Please ask Dr. Hein and her staff about anything you don’t understand.
What is eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery?
Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat and excess skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel. Excess, loose upper eyelid skin may even interfere with your vision.
However, blepharoplasty won’t remove crow’s feet or other wrinkles, remove dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of your ethnic or racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or brow lift.
Who is a good candidate for a eyelid surgery?
Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations, and discuss them with Dr. Katherine Hein, board-certified plastic surgeon.
Optimal candidates for eyelid surgery are people who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.
As people age, the eyelid skin stretches, muscles weaken, and fat accumulates around the eyes, causing “bags” above and below.
A few medical conditions make blepharoplasty somewhat riskier. They include thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves’ disease, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. A detached retina or glaucoma is also reason for caution; check with your ophthalmologist before you have surgery.
What are the steps to plan for your eyelid surgery?
Your initial consultation with Dr. Hein is especially important. She will need your complete medical history, so check your own records ahead of time and be ready to provide this information. Be sure to inform Dr. Hein if you have any allergies; if you’re taking any vitamins, medications (prescription or over the counter), or other drugs; and if you smoke.
You should also provide any relevant information from your ophthalmologist or the record of your most recent eye exam. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, be sure to bring them along.
You and Dr. Hein should carefully discuss your goals and expectations for this surgery. You’ll need to discuss whether to do all four eyelids or just the upper or lower ones, whether skin as well as fat will be removed, and whether any additional procedures are appropriate. Dr. Hein closes the incisions with fine sutures, which will leave nearly invisible scars.
Dr. Hein will explain the techniques and anesthesia she will use, the type of facility where the surgery will be performed, and the risks and costs involved. (Note: Most insurance policies don’t cover eyelid surgery, unless you can prove that drooping upper lids interfere with your vision. Check with your insurer.)
Where your surgery will be performed
Eyelid surgery may be performed in Dr. Hein’s office under local anesthesia, IV sedation, or at a local hospital with IV sedation or general anesthesia. It is usually done on an outpatient basis; rarely does it require an inpatient stay. Dr. Hein performs all of her major surgery at a fully accredited hospital with physician led anesthesia. She operates at Newton Wellesley Hospital, MetroWest Medical Center, , and Milford Regional Hospital.
What is the recovery process after eyelid surgery?
After surgery, Dr. Hein will probably lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply a bandage. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off, but you can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Hein. If you feel any severe pain, call Dr. Hein immediately. We always tell our patients that the most important post-operative instruction is to call us if you have a question or concern.
Dr. Hein will instruct you to keep your head elevated for several days, and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. Bruising varies from person to person: it reaches its peak during the first week, and generally lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month. If you need it, special camouflage makeup (we recommend Jane Iredale) can mask most bruising that remains. You’ll need to gently clean your eyes, which may be gummy for a week or so. You may need saline eye drops since your eyelids may feel dry at first and your eyes may burn or itch. For the first few weeks you may also experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in your eyesight, such as blurring or double vision.
Dr. Hein will follow your progress very closely for the first week or two. The stitches will be removed two days to a week after surgery. Once they’re out, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside, and you’ll start to look and feel much better.
Your new look
Healing is a gradual process, and your scars may remain slightly pink for six months or more after surgery. Eventually, though, they’ll fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line. On the other hand, the positive results of your eyelid surgery-the more alert and youthful look-will last for years.
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If you are sick of appearing tired due to sagging upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, it is time to act and find out more about eyelid surgery. Blepharoplasty is a relatively simple procedure that can make you look rejuvenated and degrees happier.
To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Hein to find out more about how eyelid surgery can help you achieve a refreshed appearance, contact Accurate Aesthetics by calling (781) 263-0011.
Why you should select Accurate Aesthetics
Dr. Katherine Hein is among the top cosmetic surgeons in the Boston, Newton, Wellesley, and MetroWest area. Dr. Hein is certified by the American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has specialized in breast and cosmetic surgery since 1999. She has performed thousands of cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries.
When you select Accurate Aesthetics Plastic Surgery for your breast reduction procedure you can be reassured of a close personal relationship with Dr. Hein and her professional staff.
Additional Reasons to Select Accurate Aesthetics
- One-on-one consultation with Dr. Hein follow-up appointments after surgery, and availability by telephone for your questions.
- Availability of a fully certified operating room in-office for your comfort and privacy.
- The use of a board-certified MD anesthesiologist or certified nurse anesthetist on each case.
Results may vary and are not guaranteed. Consult with Dr. Hein to see if you are a good candidate.