Eyelid Surgery Basics

What is Eyelid Surgery?
Belpharoplasty, more commonly known as eyelid surgery, is performed to remove excess skin from either the upper or lower eyelids, reduce the appearance of puffiness or darkness under the eyes, or alter eyelid droopiness to give an overall refreshing appearance to the eye area. Removing excess fat from the eyelids is a common complaint that compels many individuals to seek eyelid surgery, and such fat deposits will generally not reappear in that location.

Who Benefits from Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery works well to remedy most aesthetic problems patients have with their eyes, but there are other procedures that might need to be considered to gain an overall improvement to the face. Several procedures are completed in conjunction with eyelid surgery for optimal results, including but not limited to:

• Forehead lifts
• Botox treatments
• Laser resurfacing
• Chemical peels

Each works in conjunction with eyelid surgery if needed to produce total rejuvenation of the face and eye area.

Patients who have undergone eyelid surgery look more refreshed and awake, and results are long lasting. Patients should be advised that the post-surgical healing process takes several weeks and incisions fade completely after just a few months. Even though eyelid surgery is long lasting, there are several factors that cause the results to fade quicker than others, including heredity and environmental factors.

Some eyelid rejuvenation procedures must also be accompanied by other treatments, such as a forehead lift. In some cases, the drooping forehead pushes down around the eyebrows and eyelids, requiring additional work to correct the overall area. Many patients find that a onetime procedure is all that is necessary for long lasting results.

Patients who undergo an eyelid surgery find that the procedure enhances their overall appearance and improves self-confidence. The face appears more awake and rejuvenated, and the overall surgery and recovery time is fairly short.

Eyelid Surgical Treatments
Since every patient has different eyelids, your surgeon will look at the overall appearance of your eyes, forehead and facial structure and features in order to offer suggestions on how to enhance your appearance. Depending on the amount of fat and excess skin around the eyelid area, results vary between patients. During the personal consultation between the patient and the surgeon, doctors will ask what a patient would like improved and determine the expectations in comparison with what can be realistically achieved.

Upper eyelid procedures often involve the removal of excess skin or fatty tissue. Incisions are strategically placed within the natural folds of the upper eyelid. Removal of excess skin is completed within the eye crease, extending to the outside corner of the eye where wrinkles are most likely to occur. Since the incisions are made within the eye crease, scars are nearly invisible after the healing process has been completed.

Lower eyelid surgery is performed to remove excess skin, fat or to reduce the appearance of puffiness under the eyes. Redistributing fat to smooth out bulges in the lower eye is also performed in this area, and all incisions are made immediately below the lash line. Since the incisions are located just beneath the lower lash line, scars are equally as invisible as with upper eyelid surgery.

Recovery time varies among patients, but generally some swelling and puffiness is to be expected in the days following an eyelid procedure. Cold compresses are put on the eyes to reduce swelling and bruising, which disappear within seven to ten days.

How much does Eyelid Surgery Cost?
Many costs involved when undergoing an eyelid procedure, including surgeon's fees, anesthesia, medications, medical testing, facility fees and surgical fees. In the United States, an eyelid procedure costs anywhere around $1,500-$7,000, which includes most fees. However, location will also weigh heavily on costs. Medical travelers to India may enjoy lower costs, on average $1,000 and in Thailand, medical patients can get the procedure done around $700- $1,400.

Choosing a Surgeon
When choosing a surgeon for any surgical procedure, it is important to research the doctor and the facilities ahead of time. Check credentials, before and after pictures and testimonies from other patients and make sure that the surgeon is up to date on all required tests and certificates. Make sure the facilities are current and accredited, and that staff and location are clean and professional.