If you are seeking an “eyelid lift” (a term for blepharoplasty) it may be difficult to know how to choose between the many surgeons offering such a procedure. Blepharoplasty is one of the most common plastic surgeries involving the eye, but this does not mean every procedure is equal in quality and outcome. Unfortunately, it means the opposite. The eyes are “the window to the soul” and the most central and expressive facet of the face. So if you are considering getting a blepharoplasty, it is critical to understand the procedure involved and to know your eyes are in good hands.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, a term derived from Greek meaning “to re-form or mold an eyelid”, refers to a number of surgical procedures to improve the contour and aesthetics of the tissue around the eyelids. By tightening muscles and skin through repositioning and removal, blepharoplasty can reconstruct an aging or otherwise problematic eyelid. Versions of this procedure have been conducted since ancient times and it has evolved into a streamlined outpatient treatment which—under the right care—yields highly satisfactory results, restoring vision, re-forming facial features and renewing one’s countenance.
Why Get Blepharoplasty?
People seeking blepharoplasty typically go to a specialist with concerns about heaviness, bags, or dark circles in the eye region, drooping eyelids, and/or distended cheeks. They may be hoping to get rid of age-related changes or excessive facial asymmetry, which itself can be exacerbated by age. As the eyes are central to the face and to human expression, blepharoplasty has the potential to enhance life with youth and rejuvenation. In a culture where “aging gracefully” now means staying healthy and vital, many people fear looking old, tired, and worn-out. Surgery that attempts to address these complaints requires a custom approach taking into account all factors of a patient’s unique facial features, rather than a “one size fits all” approach. While the majority of people seeking blepharoplasty are women in middle age and beyond, these same “eyelid lifts” are being increasingly sought by men in a competitive job market, where appearance of vigor or youthfulness is gaining as much importance as experience.
Who Should Do My Blepharoplasty?
While many plastic surgeons offer blepharoplasty, if you are seeking a procedure that tailors to the uniqueness of your face and concerns, you cannot expect this from your general plastic surgeon. A typical plastic surgeon receives minimal training in anatomy specific to the eyelid, as they have many procedures to learn, and rarely perform more than 2-3 dozen blepharoplasties a year. On the other hand, an oculoplastic surgeon, specifically trained in anatomy of the eye and the face around the eyelids, performs at least 40 eyelid surgeries a month.
As each person, each eyelid, even each half of a person’s face is unique, treatment must be customized. Dr. Sami at Houston Oculofacial Plastic Surgery bring years of experience and a passion for customized care.
What To Expect From Blepharoplasty?
Due to the personalized nature of this treatment, in order to get an accurate sense of the outcome, an initial consultation is required. At this pre-operative checkup, you will visit with Dr. Sami and her staff at Houston Oculofacial Plastic Surgery’s beautiful office, where you will have ample time to discuss goals and expectations for your procedure. The office is designed with patient comfort and ease in mind. Here we focus on your aesthetic concerns and encourage you to bring you past photographs for comparison, and discuss your goals with the help of our before-and-after images, in order to give you real assurance that the goals discussed in consultation are, in fact, achievable.
An upper eyelid procedure generally takes about an hour for both eyelids, while for lower eyelids 90 minutes to two hours is required. Eyelid surgery can be performed as an outpatient treatment under local anesthesia. Patients can opt to add sedation at an additional cost.
After surgery, you can expect 7-10 days of swelling and bruising, during which you are advised to refrain from strenuous exercise. With the many variables involved in our highly personalized approach, an exact estimate of costs cannot be given without an initial consultation, though the range is generally $3,000 to $6,000. In some cases the surgery may be covered by medical insurance and thorough examination with further testing may be required in this situation.
We invite you to schedule a consultation with Houston Oculofacial Plastic Surgery’s expert surgeon, Dr. Mirwat Sami, and her staff, in order to better understand how blepharoplasty can rejuvenate your appearance and enrich your life.
