Upper & Lower Eyelid Surgery

The eyes are a vital part of facial expression. They reflect how we feel emotionally and physically. Unfortunately, other factors may greatly affect the appearance of the eyes as well.

As we age, the eyelid skin may sag, droop, or produce puffiness or bags. For men and women across Michigan, eyelid surgery can correct these conditions to rejuvenate and improve the appearance of the eyes.

Request an appointment with Dr. Sampson to find out more today. The evaluation begins with a discussion of your medical history, including your history of vision problems. The physical exam will focus on eyelid position, excess skin, and the presence of fat.

Choosing Michigan Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, requires an individualized approach. During the initial evaluation, Detroit, Michigan plastic surgeon Dr. Sampson will consider the presence of excess skin, drooping eyelids and bags. He will make recommendations on whether other techniques of facial rejuvenation should be combined with the eyelid surgery.

The presence of a sagging eyebrow may necessitate the need for a brow lift. Sagging of the upper eyelid, or excess upper eyelid skin is treated by removal of excess skin. The incision is placed in the natural crease of the upper eyelid producing a more youthful contour and eyelid appearance.

The lower eyelid skin excess is treated by skin excision and the repositioning of the eyelid fat. In your youthful lower eyelid, it may be unnecessary to excise skin and the trans-conjunctival technique can be used to remove or reposition fat without incising skin.

The procedures are performed in the operating room with local anesthesia, with or without sedation, but can be used or the procedure may be done under general anesthesia. The upper and lower eyelids may be done as separate or combined procedures. The procedure usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Eyelid surgery also can be combined with a facelift for Detroit, Michigan residents.

Recovery

Following surgery, iced gauze is placed on the eyelids to reduce swelling. No fixed dressing is used and patients are able to open their eyes as needed. It is important to have assistance the first night of surgery. No heavy activity should be planned. Ice packs are continued for 24 hours.

The sutures usually fall out on their own within a week and the swelling will take 1 to 3 months to resolve. Return to work is possible within one week if your job does not require heavy activity.

Potential Risks and Complications

The most important part of the evaluation is the presence of high blood pressure and the use of anti-inflammatories, aspirin, Motrin, or Ibuprofen. These medications and health risks contribute to bleeding. Bleeding is the most significant complication from blepharoplasty both upper and lower.

Risks include ectropion, a condition where the lower eyelids is pulled down due to scarring or if too much skin is removed. In the upper eyelids, lagophthalmos, or the inability to fully close the lid, may occur in rare cases. Of course, the amount of resulting scarring is very individual and it is possible to have hypertrophic scarring.

Eyelid Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are the results of surgery permanent?

No. The procedure can create significant improvement in the appearance of your eyes, but it will not stop the aging process.

Is there an ideal age for Michigan eyelid surgery candidates?

No. Blepharoplasty can be performed for anyone who is unhappy with their eyelid appearance, from young to old.

Are there risks?

Yes, as in all procedures, there are risks of complications, including bleeding, infection, and the risks of anesthesia. In particular, the risks of ectropion and lagophthalmos (taking too much tissue) exists. Formation of a hematoma (collection of blood beneath the skin) is an additional risk.

Will surgery change the shape of my eyes?

It is possible for surgery to change the shape of the eyelid. However, this result is unusual with the technique that Dr. Sampson uses.

Are the scars usually visible?

Fortunately, very few patients have unacceptable scars. The scars usually heal quite well and the resultant deformity is quite minimal.

Will I be able to see better?

Removing excess skin from the upper eyelid may open the visual field of the eye and improve the range of vision.