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Eyelid / Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty in Sarasota, FL

Our eyes are bright and expressive, showing our emotions and providing a focal point for our faces. Now and then, of course, we have an off day and our puffy eyes cause us to look older, fatigued or under the weather. But what happens when you wake up and you look tired and worn out yet again? Eventually, aging causes the eyelids to droop permanently, affecting the aesthetics of the face. Various creams and serums claim to reverse signs of aging and non-surgical eyelid treatments can provide short-term solutions, but creams and injections cannot reverse the aging process or remove excess fat and drooping skin. The good news? A permanent solution is available: blepharoplasty, a popular cosmetic eyelid surgery, offers you the opportunity to look cheerful and bright-eyed well into your old age.

Dr. Alberico J. Sessa MD is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery in Sarasota, FL, who specializes in blepharoplasty eyelid surgery and awakens heavy, puffy eyes to give patients a refreshed, youthful look. This procedure can rejuvenate your eyelids and let the world see a younger, healthier and more beautiful you.

What is Blepharoplasty?

Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, requires superior surgical skills because it is a delicate procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the upper or lower eyelids. Dr. Sessa performs this transformative procedure on men and women who seek to permanently correct baggy, puffy or wrinkled eyelids.

Benefits of Eyelid/Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty cosmetic surgery lifts and revives heavy, aging upper eyelids, and lower blepharoplasty is a reductive procedure used to resolve under-eye bags, fat bulges and excess skin from the lower lids. The benefits of blepharoplasty are numerous, and may include:

  • Lighter eyelids
  • Lifted upper eyelids
  • Removal of excess wrinkles
  • Improved vision (when drooping upper eyelids obscure vision)
  • Rejuvenated eyelids without altering the shape of the eye
  • A more youthful and refreshed appearance
  • Improved self-confidence
  • Natural-looking, yet significant results
  • Reduced bags from beneath the lower lids
  • Tighter eyelids for the smooth application of makeup
  • A brighter, energized appearance

Eyelid/Blepharoplasty Candidates

The ideal upper eyelid lift candidates are men and women with wrinkled, droopy or heavy eyelids. Lower blepharoplasty candidates may be older individuals with bulky, drooping lower lids or younger patients with a genetic predisposition to excess fat beneath their eyes.

You may be a blepharoplasty candidate if you’re tired of wasting time and money on disappointing creams and temporary solutions and are ready to transform and rejuvenate your lids. Dr. Sessa will examine your eyes during a private consultation and review your health history to determine if you are a good candidate for one or more cosmetic surgery procedures.

Your Eyelid/Blepharoplasty Consultation

Dr. Sessa will begin your consultation at our cosmetic surgery center in Sarasota, FL, with a facial analysis to determine your aging pattern and skin type. The consultation is the perfect opportunity for you to share your goals and expectations with our cosmetic surgeon and to have a realistic discussion about the improvements that you can expect from blepharoplasty or other cosmetic options. The surgical eyelid lift may be performed with another treatment for added facial rejuvenation, including a brow lift or facelift. Dr. Sessa offers a comprehensive range of procedures and will tailor your treatment plan at Sarasota Surgical Arts to match your unique needs, wants and budget.

The Eyelid Lift/Blepharoplasty Procedure

Dr. Sessa performs blepharoplasty eyelid surgery at our beautiful cosmetic surgery center in Sarasota, FL. The eye rejuvenation process is typically performed using local anesthesia and oral sedation. During an upper eyelid lift, Dr. Sessa removes excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids and hides the incision within the creases of the upper lid. The incisions will fade, and only a faint line will remain after the healing process is complete.

The doctor performs the lower eyelid rejuvenation using similar techniques and removes excess eyelid skin and puffy deposits of fat with an incision that he hides strategically along the lower lash line. There are limitations on how much skin and fat can be removed safely from the lower lid but Dr. Sessa takes care to preserve a natural appearance. Younger patients who have issues with excess fat in the area beneath the eye may achieve the results they desire with an incision created inside of the lower lid.

Dr. Sessa performs each surgery with the utmost care and tailors the procedure to meet each patient’s unique needs. He may combine eyelid surgery with another treatment like an eyebrow lift, based on the rejuvenation plan that he creates during your consultation.

The Recovery Process

The recovery process is gradual, but most patients are surprised at how little discomfort they experience following blepharoplasty eyelid surgery. Patients often opt to use extra strength Tylenol for a day or two, although prescription pain medication is typically provided. Antibiotics may be prescribed after the surgery to avoid infection, and a list of supplements and medications to avoid will be given to you before your surgery. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for two weeks after the surgery, although you will probably feel up to resuming normal activities much sooner. Light activity will ensure that your incisions heal properly and that you experience the fastest recovery.

We offer how-to demonstrations at Sarasota Surgical Arts and will teach you how to apply camouflage makeup, which will conceal bruising or discoloration after your blepharoplasty surgery. Most patients are ready to resume normal social activities after seven days, but significant events like a wedding should be spaced at least three weeks after the procedure to allow plenty of time for lingering swelling and bruising to fade. It is essential to protect your incisions from the beautiful Florida sun, so sunglasses are encouraged until your incisions have entirely faded.

Frequently Asked Eye Lift Questions

Am I a good eye lift candidate?
Dr. Sessa may approve you as an eyelid surgery candidate if you are in good health overall, are a non-smoker, and have realistic surgical expectations. Blepharoplasty is a delicate cosmetic procedure that should only be performed by exclusively trained cosmetic surgeons.

You may be a good candidate for upper eyelid surgery if you have sagging, wrinkled eyelid skin that causes you to look older or that interferes with your vision. You may be a candidate for lower lid surgery if you have wrinkled, sagging or puffy lower lids. Younger men and women with excess fat on or below their lower lids that partially conceals the eye or causes undesirable aesthetic issues such as puffiness are also good candidates.

Am I too old for eyelid surgery?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic procedures are equally safe for patients of many different ages. Dr. Sessa will evaluate your eyes and skin to determine if blepharoplasty is right for you. Certain medical conditions may require that you see an ophthalmologist or primary care physician for an exam before surgery.

How do I prepare for blepharoplasty?
After deciding on which treatment option is best for you, Dr. Sessa and our patient care coordinators will provide you with a complete list of pre-surgical instructions. You must stop smoking for several weeks before and after the surgery to achieve the best results and to allow your skin to heal properly.

We also recommend that you avoid anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, Motrin and some herbal medications before and after your surgery to reduce bruising. Dr. Sessa will provide surgical soap to wash your face with the evening before and the morning of your surgery.

When can I wear eye makeup again or attend social events?
Women are often especially excited about eyelid transformation. Perfect eyeshadow and the smooth application of makeup are exciting results that we know many patients are anticipating. It’s important to follow all the aftercare instructions on makeup, which is why we offer camouflage makeup training in our office. Our experts will help you to conceal bruises until your eyes have healed fully.

Most eyelid surgery patients are feeling well enough to attend social events within two weeks after the surgery, but you may want to wait longer if it’s an important event like a wedding. If you are preparing for an important date, discuss the social event with Dr. Sessa before your surgery is scheduled. We can plan the operation to coincide with your recovery so that you will look your absolute best for the event.

When can I return to work?
Your healing process will be unique to you, but most of our patients choose to return to work after 7 to 10 days to best conceal their eyelid procedure from coworkers. Avoid physically strenuous work for at least 14 days.

What are the possible eyelid lift risks?
As with any surgical procedure, eyelid lifts do carry some risks. Blepharoplasty risks include hematoma, skin necrosis, scar deformities, bleeding, infection, and eye injury. Scar deformities and skin necrosis can create serious complications, but blepharoplasty risks are relatively rare because the eyelids typically exhibit healthy blood flow. Swelling and bruising are common. However, patients usually experience only a light bruising, which is a yellow tone and resolves within a week. Dr. Sessa will thoroughly review your health history and examine your skin to determine whether you are at increased risk for complications.

Is blepharoplasty more effective than nonsurgical treatments?
Blepharoplasty eyelid surgery transforms the skin around the eye area by removing excess, sagging skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids. Injection procedures such as Juvéderm or Restylane can fill eye hollows and eliminate dark “circles” but cannot remove excess skin or produce permanent results. Dr. Sessa offers a comprehensive range of nonsurgical and cosmetic surgery procedures, and he will discuss the options available to you during your consultation.

Can I also get a brow lift during my blepharoplasty surgery?
The brow lift elevates your eyebrows, restores the natural forehead arch, softens horizontal forehead wrinkles and reduces heavy, puffy eyelids that are caused by the weight of your eyebrows. Sometimes upper eyelid hooding is caused by sagging eyebrows and is best treated with a combination of eyelid and forehead lift. Younger patients may not require combination eyebrow, upper eyelid, or lower eyelid surgeries to achieve the refreshing eye results they seek. Dr. Sessa will discuss his proposed surgical plan with you during your private consultation.

Schedule a Blepharoplasty Consultation in Sarasota, FL

The best way to find out if cosmetic surgery is right for you is to schedule a consultation at our beautiful facility in Sarasota, FL. Dr. Sessa is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery who has the experience and knowledge to provide you with outstanding results and a more youthful appearance. Call Sarasota Surgical Arts at 941-923-1736 or schedule your consultation online.