In time, gravity, sun exposure, and the stresses of daily life take their toll on our faces: deep creases appear beside the mouth, the jaw line slackens, and folds and fat deposits appear on the neck. Dr. McGill can show you how surgical and non-surgical procedures can counteract these problems by removing fat and tightening skin and muscles, giving your face a fresher, youthful look.

What is Eyelid Surgery?
 
The eyelid lift procedure, also known as a blepharoplasty, is designed to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyes, restoring a rested and more youthful look to the face. An eyelid lift specifically addresses lower eyelid “bags” that naturally occur with aging. This procedure also improves the appearance of the upper lids, enhancing the appearance of the eyes with a more rested and bright look. Blepharoplasty can also address more extremely puffy or droopy lower lids.
 
An eyelid lift procedure does not address things like dark circles or “crow’s feet” or “laugh lines” which are wrinkles that appear around the sides of the eyes. These can be corrected with other, non-surgical procedures such as Botox and customized skin care. These can be combined with a blepharoplasty.
 
Blepharoplasty does not correct forehead droop or “ptosis.” Depending on the case, a brow lift can be performed in conjunction with an eyelid lift in order to correct the forehead and brow areas.

Why Get Eyelid Surgery?
 
Eyelid lift surgery is an effective way to restore a youthful and rested look to eyes that display the effects of aging. It does not change your appearance in any unusual way. The procedure itself should not be apparent to others, but the rejuvenation effect and restored brightness will be. The goal of a blepharoplasty is a natural overall effect of youthful vitality within the eyes.
 
Blepharoplasty rejuvenates puffy, sagging or tired-looking eyes by removing excess fat, skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. It may be performed for cosmetic reasons or to improve sight by lifting droopy eyelids out of the patient’s field of vision. Dr. McGill routinely performs this procedure in an office with local anesthesia in as little as 45 minutes. Blepharoplasty can be combined with a facelift or BOTOX® treatments to raise the eyebrows or reduce the appearance of wrinkles, crow’s feet or dark circles under the eyes. Dr. McGill is available for consultation to help you decide the right treatment or combination of treatments for you.

What Happens During Eyelid Surgery?
 
Eyelid lifts are commonly performed under general anesthesia plus local anesthesia, or intravenous sedation, known as “twilight anesthesia” in order to maximize the patient’s comfort and safety. The procedure is done under a surgical magnifying glass known as a “loupe” in order to ensure maximum precision when dealing with the delicate nerves and blood vessels of the face.
 
After the application of anesthetic, the delicate eyelid skin is carefully separated from the underlying tissues, and the contour of the eye is reshaped as needed. Particular attention is given to the tiny blood vessels of the face in order to minimize bleeding and bruising. Any excess skin is removed, and the remaining skin is carefully re-attached in order to provide a naturally rejuvenated look.

What Happens After Eyelid Surgery?
 
Eyelid surgery is not typically painful. Pain medication can be prescribed as needed after the surgery. After the procedure, cool compress packs will be applied to your eyes, which you can take home and continue to use for a few days during your recovery.
Eyelid surgery is usually an outpatient procedure and only takes about 1-2 hours depending on the specific features of the surgery.
 
The healing process after a blepharoplasty can sometimes involve swelling and bruising around the eyes, in addition to irritation, dry eyes and light sensitivity. All of these can be easily managed with medication, ointments and compresses. Eyelid surgery incisions tend to heal extremely well with minimal scarring.
 
After a few weeks, the swelling should subside and the effects of the eyelid surgery should come through. After several months to a year have passed, the incisions should fade as much as possible and the final overall effects of the rejuvenating procedure will be fully evident. It is always important to minimize sun exposure in order to help incision scars heal optimally.

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