Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery corrects problems from excess fatty tissue around the eyes to provide a refreshed, awake, and more youthful appearance. During surgery, excess fat, skin and muscle are removed from both the upper and lower eyelids. At Indiana Plastic Surgery, Dr. Robinson can perform an eyelid lift alone or combined with other facial procedures. 

When to Consider an Eyelid Lift

You may be a candidate for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) if you exhibit:

•     Excessive, sagging, or wrinkled upper or lower eyelid skin
•     Puffy pouches of fat in the upper or lower lids
•     Excess upper eyelid skin that interferes with your vision
•     Loss of upper eyelid crease

Most patients who undergo eyelid surgery are age 35 or older. When considering eyelid surgery, keep in mind that it cannot eliminate crow's feet, dark circles under the eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows.

What is Eyelid Surgery Like?

Blepharoplasty is done on an outpatient basis under sedation with local or general anesthesia. The procedure can last anywhere between one and three hours. Before surgery can begin, you may need to undergo a medical evaluation and/or vision test.

See Blepharoplasty Before & After Photos

The incisions are made where the natural crease should be in the upper lids and below the lash line in the lower lids. Dr. Robinson will separate the skin from the underlying fat and muscle. He will then remove the excess fat and trim the skin and muscle. Fine sutures are then placed to close the incisions.

If only excess fat is present in the lower lids, it may be removed through an incision inside the lower lids with no external incision or scar (a procedure called transconjunctival blepharoplasty).

After Eyelid Surgery: Your Recovery

Eyelid surgery recovery time is approximately 7-10 days. After surgery, Dr. Robinson may lubricate your eyes with ointment and apply a bandage. You may feel tightness in your eyes as the anesthesia wears off. Dr. Robinson will provide instructions for the post-operative period. He will likely instruct you to keep your head elevated for several days and refrain from wearing contact lenses for about two weeks. Swelling and bruising can be minimized with the use of cold compresses. Exercise can typically be resumed after about three weeks.

Schedule a consultation at Indiana Plastic Surgery to learn more about the benefits, risks and cost of eyelid surgery. We look forward to working with you to help you attain your cosmetic goals for this procedure. Give us a call at (219) 513-2100 or (866) 613-2100 or use the online contact form to send an email. Our plastic surgery offices in Munster and Valparaiso are conveniently located to best serve our local patients as well as those who travel from nearby Chicago, Ft. Wayne, Portage, South Bend, Indianapolis, Gary, Hammond Highland, and Merrilville.