Blepharoplasty
The eyes are usually where people first notice the signs of aging. As you age, the skin of your eyelid stretches, muscles may weaken, and fat may bulge from behind these weakened and stretched tissues. The result can be “bags” both above and below your eyes, leaving you with droopy, tired looking eyes. In some cases, the condition actually interferes with vision. Generally speaking, the problem occurs in people who are in their mid-30s or older. It also tends to run in the family.
The goal of cosmetic eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is to correct or improve the condition by removing or redraping the excess fat, skin and/or muscle, creating a more alert and youthful look. Blepharoplasty may be done alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures, such as a facelift or a brow lift, depending on your personal appearance goals and your unique facial characteristics.
Candidates include men and women, usually over the age of 35, who have drooping upper lids and puffy bags under their eyes. The procedure involves incisions made along the natural crease of your eyelids. The skin and muscle are separated from the underlying tissue, and excess fat, muscle and skin are then excised. If a prominent "tear trough" deformity is present, the fat around the eyes actually may be used to fill in and smooth out these depressions. The procedure takes 2-3 hours and is performed in an outpatient setting. It may be performed under general anesthesia or with IV sedation.
