The eyes have many important roles to play. They are one of the main focal points of the face, create expressions, and are essential to communication. The eyes also serve as our window to the world. With so much riding on our eyes, it’s important to keep them functioning appropriately and looking youthful and alert.
However, when loose, sagging, and aging skin in the eyelid area impacts our appearance, it can make the face look tired, angry, or older. This sagging skin can even hinder vision. Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid lift surgery, can help restore the eyes for a more youthful overall appearance and correct vision concerns.
This popular rejuvenating aesthetic cosmetic surgery is typically an ideal solution for patients aged 30 and above who are looking to restore the appearance of their eyes. At Daugherty Plastic Surgery, we want you to feel your bright-eyed best each day. With facial rejuvenation procedures like eyelid surgery, Dr. Daugherty can help you increase your confidence and enhance your overall appearance.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a procedure to remove excess skin and fatty tissues and tighten the muscles of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. As the eyelid skin is the thinnest and most delicate in all the body, it typically becomes lax or loose earlier than any other part of the face or body. The procedure can also remove loose or sagging skin that may hinder vision. Eyelid surgery also helps restore the appearance of the eye area for a well-rested, more approachable look.
Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin to sharpen the upper eyelid crease and create more space above the lash line. Lower blepharoplasty can address undereye bags by removing fat pockets and excess skin with a thin incision at the lash line or on the inside of the lower lid. With discreet incisions, the procedure typically leaves faint scars that are well-concealed following surgery.
Simultaneously, blepharoplasty can improve impaired vision and enhance the eye area’s appearance as well as addressing issues like:
- Loose or sagging skin that interrupts natural upper eyelid contour, impairing vision
- Fatty deposits causing puffy-looking eyelids or bags beneath the eyes
- Drooping lower eyelids that reveal white below the iris
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles on the lower eyelids
- dark circles
- Tired looking eyes
Accompanying Procedures
Often, the position of the brow and its effect on the eyelid skin will determine whether Dr. Daugherty recommends a brow lift in conjunction with blepharoplasty. A brow lift is often recommended to achieve more drastic facial rejuvenation, including addressing crow’s feet or forehead wrinkles.
Dr. Daugherty also often recommends fat grafting of the mid face or cheek area at the time of lower blepharoplasty to blend the lower eyelids with the rest of the face and provide youthful contour.
Other procedures that can be incorporated with a blepharoplasty for dramatic transformation include:
What Do Eyelids Look Like Right After Blepharoplasty?
Following blepharoplasty, many patients experience temporarily blurry vision due to corneal swelling or eye lubricants used during surgery. Within a few days, however, your vision should fully recover.
For 2 to 4 weeks, patients may also experience:
- Double vision
- Mild to moderate pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Sensitivity to light
- Frequent tearing
- Swollen, puffy eyelids
- Itchy, dry, or tired eyes
Immediately following eyelid surgery, you may notice an improvement in the appearance of your eyelids. However, swelling and bruising may also obscure your results. Your eyelids will likely look puffy, and the incisions will appear red. You may also experience mild to moderate pain, which will subside within a few days.
For 1 to 3 weeks after blepharoplasty, your eyelids may appear swollen and bruised, resembling a black eye. Due to these effects, many people experience social downtime of 10 to 14 days; however, patients are typically able to return to work and resume most normal activities at this time.
Visible results from your blepharoplasty may take 4 to 6 weeks following your procedure. While you may experience subtle results, they can create a significant impact for a more youthful appearance and improve eyelid function to restore vision.
Eyelid Surgery Aftercare
Following your Baton Rouge blepharoplasty, it’s important to get plenty of rest and follow a nutritious diet to help your body recover. It’s also important to follow all post-operative instructions provided by Dr. Daugherty. Here are a few of Dr. Daugherty’s recommendations of what to do and not to do following blepharoplasty.
During your blepharoplasty recovery, you should:
- Apply ointments and eyedrops to keep your eyes well lubricated
- Use pain medications as directed. Not all medications are safe to use during recovery.
- Rest and recline as much as possible in the first week to minimize swelling. Elevate your head on multiple pillows while resting for at least 2 weeks.
- Wear glasses rather than contact lenses for at least 2 weeks, or until your incisions have completely healed
- Inform your surgeon if you’re experiencing nausea or cold symptoms as you must avoid sneezing, coughing, and vomiting
After blepharoplasty, you should avoid or postpone:
- Showering for at least 48 hours. Be careful to keep water, shampoo, and soap out of your eyes when you are cleared to shower.
- Any activity that may cause squinting. Wear dark sunglasses when you cannot avoid bright light even when inside
- Using makeups, eye serums, face creams, or other cosmetics for at least 1 week
- Activities that tire the eyes, including reading, watching television, or viewing screens like that of a computer, tablet, or phone
- Do not drive while taking pain medication or if you’re experiencing blurry vision. Typically, this period lasts 5 to 10 days following blepharoplasty
- Strenuous activities that increase blood pressure, such as running, aerobics, heavy lifting, or even household chores. Gentle walking is allowed.
- Smoking, vaping, or using other nicotine products for at least 4 weeks
How Soon Will I See My Blepharoplasty Results?
Immediately following eyelid surgery, patients will experience pain, swelling, and bruising. It’s important to take time to rest at home for 1 to 2 weeks. While you may feel better after the first week, you may experience another week or so of social downtime. Your results will appear gradually as swelling and bruising subside. You will see your eyes look smoother, more refreshed, and more alert.
While your eyelids are healing, sun protection is essential to avoid squinting. Wear dark sunglasses when sun exposure is unavoidable. With proper skin care and sun protection, your blepharoplasty results will last several years. The changes made during blepharoplasty surgery are permanent, so your results will last for several years. Your skin will continue to lose elasticity and volume, however, as you continue to age. Proper skincare, including sunblock with an SPF of 30+, and other recommended procedures may extend the longevity of your results.
How Painful Is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery can create quite a bit of swelling and bruising; however, it typically creates only a minimal amount of post-operative pain. Following your blepharoplasty, you may feel mild to moderate pain that should subside within a few days. Most patients choose over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol, for discomfort after the first few days.
Depending on the extent of your procedure, you may also be prescribed antibiotic ointments or eye drops and anti-inflammatory drugs to minimize swelling and discomfort. You may also apply cold compresses once an hour to address your discomfort.
How Long Does Blepharoplasty Take to Heal?
As blepharoplasty is a minor procedure, most people recover quickly and experience minimal downtime. After the first few days following blepharoplasty, patients are typically not in much pain or discomfort.
Most patients experience redness around the incisions. The sutures will be removed in 5 to 7 days. At this time, patients can resume light activities. Patients can typically resume working in 1 to 2 weeks. However, you may also experience a couple of weeks of social downtime where you don’t look quite “presentable.”
While scarring is expected with any surgical procedure, blepharoplasty requires small incisions that are well-concealed in the natural creases of the eyelids. Blepharoplasty scars are typically negligible after incisions have healed.
Overall, eyelid surgery recovery takes about a week to feel physically better, but it takes about 4 to 6 weeks to heal fully and to look and feel your absolute best.
Am I a Candidate for Baton Rouge Blepharoplasty?
Aging is unforgiving and can create a sad, angry, or tired look. Blepharoplasty may help restore your youthful, alert appearance and rejuvenate the upper facial region. Candidates for Louisiana blepharoplasty are patients who wish to minimize the signs of aging around the eyes and achieve long-lasting facial rejuvenation for a more youthful-looking appearance.
Dr. Daugherty recommends candidates for blepharoplasty:
- Live a healthy lifestyle
- Be non-smokers, or willing to quit before surgery
- Have no medical conditions that impair healing
- Have no serious eye conditions
- Have realistic expectations and a positive outlook
- Understand the surgical risks
Partnering with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is the most important decision of your blepharoplasty journey. However, with so many plastic surgeons available, it’s often difficult to discern who is the right one for you.
There are many factors to consider when choosing your plastic surgeon. While it’s important that a plastic surgeon should be professional, honest, and compassionate, the number one factor you should consider is board certification. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon means you’ve selected a doctor who maintains and upholds extremely high standards of education, knowledge, and skills.
It’s also important to consider the number of years your plastic surgeon has performed blepharoplasty procedures to ensure that your health, safety, and optimal results are in good hands. Also, having significant experience with blepharoplasty procedures means that your plastic surgeon has gained the appropriate knowledge and required skills over many years of training.
A board-certified plastic surgeon with an extensive performance record and impeccable reputation has developed the ability to minimize risks and address complications more easily than an unexperienced surgeon. Selecting an experienced plastic surgeon who performs blepharoplasty often can give you the peace of mind that you’ll receive the appropriate care throughout your aesthetic surgery journey.
Another important aspect in choosing your plastic surgeon is to find a surgeon with whom you feel comfortable. It’s important to feel like you can trust your surgeon and communicate with them openly. To get a feel for your surgeon, research their credentials, ask to view their before-and-after results, and read patient testimonials.
Choosing Dr. Robyn Daugherty as Your Baton Rouge Blepharoplasty Expert
Whether you’re looking to rejuvenate the appearance of puffy eyelids or restore impaired vision, Dr. Robyn Daugherty will develop a unique treatment plan to ensure your refreshed, radiant results. Dr. Daugherty’s believes in blending science and art to achieve beautiful, natural-looking results for her patients. With dedication to excellent patient results, Dr. Daugherty aims to help you restore your confidence, no matter your procedure.
Schedule Your Blepharoplasty Consultation Today!
Refresh your appearance and look more alert when you partner with board-certified Dr. Robyn Daugherty, one of the best blepharoplasty specialists in Baton Rouge! Contact Daugherty Plastic Surgery at (225) 235-3884 or complete our online form to schedule your blepharoplasty consultation today!