Do you believe your eyes make you look tired, sad, or older than you feel? Consider eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) at Contemporary Plastic Surgery to reduce fat, minimize bags under your eyes and tighten your eyelid skin. Vaishali B. Doolabh, MD, FACS, has extensive experience with blepharoplasty, customizing each eyelid surgery for the needs of the patient to create a younger but natural-looking appearance.
Typically, an upper eyelid incision follows the natural contour of the upper eyelid and is camouflaged in the natural crease when healed. Lower eyelid surgery incisions are hidden below the lower lashes or within the lid, depending on the amount of lower lid skin present. In some patients, underlying muscle may need to be tightened or fat pads reduced.
Blepharoplasty is often performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as a facelift or brow lift. Many patients also consider BOTOX®, fillers or laser skin resurfacing treatments to soften severe lines and wrinkles surrounding the eyes. Lower eyelid support is provided by restoring inner cheek volume and filling infra orbital hollowing with micro fat grafting.
Upper eyelid surgery can correct:
- Drooping/sagging upper eyelids (note that in some cases, this may be partially due to a drooping eyebrow, which may be corrected simultaneously)
- Puffiness in the upper eyelids
- Loose skin under the eyebrows
Lower eyelid surgery can correct:
- Under eye bags
- Sagging skin/drooping lower eyelid
Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if:
- You are a healthy individual with no medical conditions that could impair healing
- You have sagging skin causing folds or drooping in the upper or lower eyelid
- You have puffiness in the upper eyelid
- You have bags under the eyes, or droopy lower eyelids
- You are a non-smoker
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure used to correct excess skin and fatty deposits in the upper and lower eyelids. It is not a solution for other concerns such as crow’s feet and other wrinkles around the eyes or forehead. However, Dr. Doolabh is a Master Expert Injector of BOTOX® Cosmetic and facial fillers, and all fillers/injectables are physician-administered by her at Contemporary Plastic Surgery!
How is eyelid surgery performed?
You will first be put under general or sedation anesthesia to ensure comfort throughout the entire duration of your eyelid surgery. During the procedure, Dr. Doolabh will make small incisions in the natural folds of the eyelids, allowing for necessary removal or repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles and removal of excess skin. These eyelid incisions are typically closed with sutures (patients can expect sutures to be removed within one week).
What should I expect for my eyelid surgery recovery?
After a blepharoplasty procedure, you will be given specific post-care instructions that include how to properly care for your eyes, necessary medications (either oral or topical), and instructions for when to schedule a follow-up visit. Recovery varies by patient depending on the exact eyelid procedure performed. Generally, eyelid surgery results in bruising and swelling of the eyelids. During these first days, cold compresses may be applied to the eyelids to reduce bruising and swelling. Eyelid surgery patients should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for at least two weeks after the procedure. It is also important to practice ongoing sun protection and keep up to date with recommended skin care and injectable treatments. The majority of patients are back to normal in around 10-14 days post-surgery.
What kind of results should I expect from my eyelid surgery?
The results of eyelid surgery are long-lasting. Overall, patients can expect to look refreshed and less tired after eyelid surgery. The best way to help maintain a youthful facial appearance is to practice ongoing sun protection.
Before & After Photos
Learn more about eyelid surgery. Call us at (904) 854-4800 to schedule a consultation.
More Frequently Asked Questions
Like with any surgical procedure, you can expect some scarring after having eyelid surgery. However, the eyelids are known to heal better than other parts of the body due to the thinness of skin in that area. Early on eyelid scars are only visible when your eyes are closed, and even then, the scars will likely not be that noticeable.
Not necessarily. Blepharoplasty is performed to remove excess skin and/or sculpt the fat around your eyes in a more aesthetic fashion. Blepharoplasty doesn’t stop muscle movement, which is what creates crow’s feet, but BOTOX® can be used to help this problem following surgery.
Similarly, eyelid surgery does not elevate a low-lying brow. Dr. Doolabh may recommend a brow lift if the brow is contributing to the heaviness of your upper eyelid.
Patients should wait at least a week before wearing contact lenses after blepharoplasty.
Why Choose Contemporary Plastic Surgery for Eyelid Surgery in Jacksonville, FL?
With her friendly, approachable manner and years of training, Dr. Doolabh is an excellent resource to help you better understand all your options and to develop a customized surgery tailored to meet your unique goals. With convenience, privacy and safety as our priorities, Contemporary Plastic Surgery offers fully equipped AAAASF accredited surgical operating suites, with a separate preoperative and recovery room unit, within the facility. The Contemporary Plastic Surgery family includes an experienced operating team of registered nurses, surgical specialists, and anesthesia providers for your safety. Dr. Doolabh encourages patients’ inner motivations for self-improvement and well being in a dignified and discreet atmosphere.