Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Droopy, tired eyelids can make you look years older than you feel, and the natural aging process comes with facial fat loss that can leave excess, baggy skin around the eyes as well. Eyelid surgery can lift and smooth the upper and lower lids for a younger, more alert look.
Dr. Ricardo A. Meade is a board certified plastic surgeon and eyelid surgery specialist serving the entire Dallas-Ft. Worth metro area, with offices in Dallas and Plano, Texas. In addition to eyelid surgery, Dr. Meade offers a full range of facial cosmetic surgery procedures for both men and women, and has helped thousands of patients feel more confident about their appearance.
Also known as a blepharoplasty, cosmetic eyelid surgery removes lax, excess skin and fatty deposits throughout the upper and/or lower eyelids, which can rejuvenate the entire eye area and help your face look younger and more rested overall. Eyelid surgery can be performed as a solo procedure, or in combination with a facelift for more impressive results. If prominent crow’s feet are a concern, Dr. Meade may also recommend including BOTOX® along with your eyelid surgery.
Please contact us online or call 214.823.1691 for more information on blepharoplasty at our Dallas or Plano plastic surgery offices. We encourage you to view eyelid surgery photos in our real patient before and after photo gallery to get a better sense of what this procedure can achieve.
Your Consultation
Dr. Meade will take the time to provide a thorough consultation in order to ensure the best possible results from your eyelid surgery. During your consult, you will discuss your hopes and expectations, and Dr. Meade will explain how the eyelid surgery will impact your health, lifestyle and general wellbeing. You will also be provided with a cost estimate for your eyelid surgery with detailed price information.
Preparing for Surgery
In the weeks leading up to your blepharoplasty, Dr. Meade will likely request further laboratory testing or medical evaluations. He may advise you to adjust current prescriptions, vitamins or supplements. You will also need to avoid the consumption of alcohol and drugs, and abstain from smoking for a certain period before and after surgery.
The Eyelid Surgery Procedure
A blepharoplasty specifically targets loose skin and sagginess around the eyes that can make you look prematurely aged. Depending on your individual circumstances, Dr. Meade may choose intravenous or general anesthesia for your procedure, although some patients may be candidates for eyelid surgery performed right in the office.
In order to make scarring as light and inconspicuous as possible, Dr. Meade carefully places all incisions to align with the natural creases of the eye area: along the crease of the upper eyelid for upper eyelid surgery, and just underneath the lower lash line or even inside the lower lid itself for lower eyelid surgery. Through these incision points, Dr. Meade removes excess skin and fat, and the incisions are closed with a combination of absorbable and permanent sutures. The body takes care of absorbable sutures on its own, while the permanent sutures will need removal in under a week’s time.
Recovery & Results
Recovery from eyelid surgery is a little different for everyone, although there are some common experiences you can expect. Typically, our patients are comfortable enough during recovery that they don’t even finish a prescription of 40 pain pills. Some initial swelling and bruising is common, and may be accompanied by dry or irritated eyes. Dr. Meade can recommend lubricating ointments or drops to help you stay confortable during your recovery.
Most people can return to normal activities within 7 to 10 days following surgery, and by 2 weeks the majority of bruising and swelling should be resolved. As with most surgeries, it is recommended that you wait 6 weeks before resuming any intense activities. To avoid complications, strictly follow Dr. Meade’s post-surgical instructions.
The final results from your eyelid surgery should become more visible over the next several weeks as swelling and discoloration fade. Although scars should be smooth and barely perceptible between 3 to 6 months, you should find that your results continue to improve over time as your upper face and eye area looks younger, rejuvenated and more rested.