(Blepharoplasty)

Unfortunately, as we age and gain experience, everything starts to sag- from the top all the way down to the bottom. In the face, this means that the brows start to droop, and we compensate by wrinkling up the forehead which causes lines, then grooves. Still, the eyelids start to look tired. And to make matters worse, the tissue that holds the fat around the eyes in place starts to weaken and we get bags in our eyelids. Surgical options to counter this include upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelid tuck) and brow lift.

Let’s take this in order of frequency performed.

Upper blepharoplasty is a straightforward procedure removing up the excess skin of the upper eyelids and removal, if needed, of excess fat protruding out of the eye socket. Dr. Lindsey has performed over 2,800 sets of upper eyelids, roughly half as an isolated procedure, and half in conjunction with a facelift. If it is done by itself, other than the first numbing injection, there should be NO pain, and virtually no patient needs any pain medicine. Bruising varies from 1 day to 10, but averages around 5 days…often concealed simply by wearing glasses while out and about.

Lower blepharoplasty is a bit more complicated and uncomfortable, so Dr. Lindsey generally does these under sedation. Dr. Lindsey has done roughly 500 sets of lower eyelids and there are two ways this is done. One involves making a small cut on the lower eyelid skin and removing fat, and excess skin; the other can be done with an incision behind the eyelid. Generally this technique heals very quickly, but since no skin is removed, it does not address wrinkled eyelid skin without some other procedure, like a chemical peel.

Brow lifts surgically elevate the brows by lifting the entire forehead, usually removing extra skin, and wearing a tight dressing to help everything heal in its new position. Dr. Lindsey does these almost exclusively under anesthesia, not because it is so hard, or hurts so much, but mainly because it sounds scarier than it is. Downtime is typically 10 days and a day or so of discomfort is pretty common. Rarely is significant pain an issue.

Brow lifting, combined with eyelid surgery, results in the biggest change and may be the “best” solution for many people. However, we have found in keeping with our overall conservative philosophy that less is often more than enough. Statistically, eyelid rejuvenation results in the most patient satisfaction per dollar spent, or per “ouch” incurred. Again, Dr. Lindsey has hundreds in his office portfolio so that you, the potential patient, can make an informed decision, rather than being “sold” ever more procedures as add-ons by a consultant.