Revitalizing the upper face through strategic blepharoplasty

When the upper eyelids lose their structure and begin to droop, it can lead to a tired, sad, or angry facial expression. Additionally, low-hanging upper lids can cause vision impairment. Excess fat and tissue in the lower lids can produce a puffy look that further exacerbates the appearance of exhaustion and depletion. Blepharoplasty can be performed on both the upper and lower eyelids to restore radiance, firmness, and vitality, allowing patients to enjoy clearer eyesight and enhanced self-confidence.

What is Eyelid Surgery?

The aim of eyelid surgery is to remove excess skin, fat, and tissue that obscures the patient’s natural beauty and causes distress. Blepharoplasty is primarily a cosmetic procedure; however, it may have the additional benefit of improving the patient’s field of vision once sagging skin has been corrected. Due to its delicacy and intricacy, eyelid surgery requires the touch of an artist. Dr. Nassif’s precision and meticulous attention to detail ensure blepharoplasty results that are elegant, nuanced, and personalized. 

What are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?

These popular procedures each improve confidence and create a rejuvenated effect around the eyes. They provide several benefits for patients.

Lower Eyelid Surgery Benefits

  • Provides a fuller and more youthful appearance around your eyes
  • Eliminates wrinkles and creases under the eyes
  • Reduces eye bags and puffiness under your eyes

Upper Eyelid Surgery Benefits

  • Lifts hooded eyelids and rejuvenates the area around the eyes
  • Opens up your brows
  • Reduces forehead discomfort from muscle straining
  • Improves your line of sight/field of vision
  • Reduces skin irritation from excess folds of skin rubbing together
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Reasons to Consider Eyelid Surgery

As we age, our skin begins to lose its volume and definition. The collagen that once gave our skin its youthful structure and smooth surface begins to decrease, wrinkles form, skin starts to sag, and fat deposits are slowly pulled down by gravity. A loss of skin elasticity combined with decreased tissue volume frequently results in sagging skin on both the upper and lower eyelids, causing wrinkles and bulges.

On the upper lid, this can cause the extra skin to hang low over the eye itself, even going so far as to obscure the vision of the patient. On the lower lid, the weight of extra skin and decreased tissue can cause the eyelid to droop so that the white of the eye is visible beneath the iris. This most commonly occurs in older adults, but can show up earlier in life for hereditary reasons.

A layer of fat serves as a cushion between our eye itself and the skeletal eye socket. In addition to sagging skin, as we age, this membrane often loosens and weakens, allowing the fat deposits to bulge out around the eyes -- similar to the way a hernia forms. An eyelid lift can help to correct these issues, restoring a better field of vision as well as a more youthful appearance.

Before & After Eyelid Surgery

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Who is a candidate for eyelid surgery?

Eyelid surgery is an ideal procedure for patients who are suffering from issues such as excess skin on the eyelids, puffiness in the upper or lower eye region, obscured vision, or wrinkles on the eyelids. This treatment is able to smooth out and tighten the skin in the eyelids, giving the patient a revitalized, more youthful aesthetic.

Some other criteria that will determine candidacy for eyelid surgery in Los Angeles with Dr. Nassif include:

  • Being in good physical and mental health
  • Being free of any serious medical issues that could lead to complications in the procedure or delay the patient’s recovery
  • Being a non-smoker or be willing to quit at least 6 weeks prior to surgery
  • Having realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure

Patients who are struggling with any chronic eye conditions may not be suitable candidates for this treatment. 

How is blepharoplasty performed?

If you elect to undergo an eyelid lift in Beverly Hills with Dr. Nassif, the procedure will be performed while you are either under general anesthesia or administered an intravenous sedative. For conditions of the upper eyelid, the incision can be made along the crease of the eyelid so that any scarring is all but invisible. Through this incision, fat deposits can be removed or repositioned, muscles can be pulled tight, and excess skin can be removed.

For the lower lid, the surgeon may make one of two different incisions to best address your aesthetic concerns. The first option is to make an incision just below the lower lash line, through which fat can be removed or redistributed and excess skin can be removed if necessary. The other option is a transconjunctival incision, which is made on the inside of the lower eyelid and can be useful in rearranging or removing fat or correcting some conditions of the lower lid. It should be noted that no excess skin can be removed through a transconjunctival incision.

When the procedure is complete, the doctor will close the incisions with some combination of removable sutures, skin adhesives, and surgical tape. You can expect some bruising, irritation, and swelling immediately after the surgery, but your doctor will advise you on how to manage these symptoms and promote a quick recovery. You will need to wear dark tinted glasses for some time after the procedure to protect your eyes, which will be sensitive. As swelling decreases, the rejuvenating effects of your eyelid surgery will become apparent.

Get the most from life

Dr. Paul Nassif understands the importance of feeling confident in your appearance. He works with patients to enhance their natural beauty and allow them to get the most out of life. If you are interested in an appointment with Dr. Nassif, contact our office to schedule your consultation.

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What can I expect from my results?

Blepharoplasty is an effective option to treat sagging eyelids that are the result of the aging process. Upper lids that hang down and obscure vision, lower lids that droop, failing to adequately protect the eye itself, and bulging fat deposits that have slipped out of place are all conditions that are effectively addressed by an eyelift. The results of an upper eye lift can typically be expected to last between five and seven years, while lower lid surgery is more or less permanent. Of course, your eyes will still age, and if sagging becomes an issue again, your doctor may recommend a forehead lift instead of another eyelid procedure.

Note that eyelid surgery will not eliminate facial wrinkles such as crow’s feet (the wrinkles at the corners of the eyes), nor will it solve discoloration under the eyes. As these conditions often occur concurrently with those treated by blepharoplasty, you may want to combine another treatment option with your blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills. Many patients opt to undergo laser resurfacing or a chemical peel to treat pigmentation issues at the same time or have fillers injected to improve volume and reduce wrinkles around the eyes.

What is the Difference Between an Upper Eye Lift and Brow Lift?

Do you know what the number one aging facial procedure that is usually done in your late 30s is? Believe it or not, it involves the eyelids. Dr. Nassif explains the difference between these two procedures.

Dr. Paul Nassif Speaks On Upper Eye Lift And Brow Lift Surgeries.

Eyelid Surgery FAQ

How long is the recovery after eyelid surgery?

How do you determine what surgical technique will be used in my eyelid surgery?

Why do some people who had eyelid surgery look unnatural?

Will brow surgery resolve hooded eyes?

How long does eyelid surgery take to perform?

Where are the incisions for upper eyelid surgery placed?

How long is the recovery after eyelid surgery?

Typically, patients undergoing eyelid surgery should plan for seven to ten days off work or other activities. As there will be some bruising and swelling, you can help speed recovery by applying ice and sleeping with your head elevated. Every patient is slightly different, and we will work closely with you and advise you when you are safe to return to more vigorous physical activities.

How do you determine what surgical technique will be used in my eyelid surgery?

Only an in-person evaluation of the condition of your eyes will allow us to determine what surgical procedure will produce the most improvement. Some patients need the muscular structure above the eyes tightened, some require removing excess eyelid skin, and others have bags or deep tear troughs that must be repaired.

Why do some people who had eyelid surgery look unnatural?

When eyelid surgery is performed too aggressively, the quantity of excess skin removed can leave your eyes looking strange and wide-eyed, or slanted unnaturally. It is imperative that your plastic surgeon is familiar with the surgery and understands facial muscle structure thoroughly to create a fresh, youthful look that appears fully natural.

Will brow surgery resolve hooded eyes?

It depends upon your individual condition. For some people with heavy, overhanging brows, the eyes will appear more open after eyelid lift surgery. Typically, when the eyelids are heavily drooping, upper eyelid surgery is required.

How long does eyelid surgery take to perform?

The surgery itself requires about one to three hours, depending upon the extent of correction needed.

Where are the incisions for upper eyelid surgery placed?

The incisions are placed within the natural fold of the lid. For patients who do not have an eyelid crease, such as some Asian people, a double eyelid crease is created as part of the surgical procedure.

Get the most from life

Dr. Paul Nassif understands the importance of feeling confident in your appearance. He works with patients to enhance their natural beauty and allow them to get the most out of life. If you are interested in an appointment with Dr. Nassif, contact our office to schedule your consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
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