Eyelid Surgery ( Blepharoplasty )

Often the skin around your eyes is the first place to show signs of aging, causing small imperfections, such as wrinkles, loose skin, or “bags” under the eyes. Blepharoplasty (or eyelid surgery) can remove excess skin and protruding pockets of fat to restore a more youthful appearance.

Procedure
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty is a procedure used to improve a number of features of the aged upper and lower eyelids. This procedure may be performed by itself or in combination with other procedures such as facelift or browlift.

Upper Lid
In the upper lid blepharoplasty most commonly treats drooping or sagging excess skin and at time fatty prominence. The procedure involves the removal of an ellipse of skin and at times fat with placement of the incision in the natural upper eyelid crease.

Lower Lid
In the lower lid blepharoplasty treats wrinkled sagging skin in addition to prominent bags from fat excess. Several options are possible. The transconjunctival blepharoplasty involves an incision inside the lower cyclid allowing removal or recontouring of excess fatty bags. The standard procedure involves an incision just below the last line allowing removal of repositioning of fatty bags, muscle tightening and removal of excess skin. The incision lines from eyelid surgery are usually well concealed within the natural anatomy of the eyelid region.

Ideal Candidates

• Patients in good health without significant medical conditions who have a positive outlook and realistic expectations.
• Patients with sagging loose skin creating fold that obscure the natural contour of the upper lid.
• Patients with excess skin of the upper lid hanging down and possibly impairing vision.
• Patients with excess fat that appears as puffiness particularly in the medial upper lid (closer to the nose).
• Patients with puffy bags under the eyes creating a tired look.
• Patients with excess, loose skin and wrinkling in the lower lid.

Recovery
The initial healing process usually includes some degree of swelling, bruising and occasionally eye irritation. Head elevation, cool compresses, eye ointment, saline drops and pain medications provide good control of these symptoms.

A return to light normal activities are possible within several days of surgery. Within two weeks most swelling and bruising will have resolved and you may wear makeup over any visible scar. Contact lenses may be worn in ten to fourteen days.

In or Out Patient
Blepharoplasty is performed usually under local anesthesia with IV sedation in the outpatient surgery center. Surgical times usually range between one and two and a half hours.

Risks and Complications
Complications of blepharoplasty include but are not limited to unfavorable scarring, infections, bleeding or hematoma, pulling down of the lower eyelid (ectropion), difficulty closing the upper eyelid. Dr. Bottger will explain these and any other risks in detail prior to your procedure. Certain conditions present greater potential for complications such as cigarette smoking, glaucoma, "dry eye syndrome," diabetes, and thyroid problems.

Contact Dr. Bottger for an initial consultation. He'll listen to all of your needs, goals and concerns. He'll answer all your questions, inform you of all your options, and recommend an individually tailored treatment plan. For even more information regarding blepharoplasty, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

When you meet with Dr. Bottger and his cosmetic surgery staff you will have the opportunity to view before and after photos and learn more about our practice. If necessary, we can help you choose financing for your procedures.

Click here to contact Dr. Bottger with any questions or to schedule your blepharoplasty consultation. Cosmetic surgeon David Bottger offers eyelid surgery to patients in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr.

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