Because we are naturally drawn to looking at a person’s eyelids before we “see” other parts of the face it is understandable that the appearance of the eyelids convey emotions, intelligence, sexual attractiveness, age, ethnicity, health, and wellness. It is no wonder that in this increasing visual world, an eyelid lift surgery or blepharoplasty (the medical term for cosmetic eyelid surgery) has become an increasingly popular surgical procedure to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyelids.

Eyelid Surgery is One of The Most Popular Procedure

As one of the most popular cosmetic procedures that are performed in the United States the majority of patients who undergo this procedure are women but as our societal norms change it has become acceptable for men to also seek out cosmetic solutions to their sagging eyelids. Therefore, an increasing number of men are undergoing cosmetic eyelid surgery.

Surgery can be limited to overhanging puffy upper eyelids, lower eyelids lids or both. Most patients opt for both upper and lower lid procedures.

So what exactly happens when you have an upper ‘bleph’?

Usually there is a conservative removal of lax upper eyelid skin – just enough that it restores your natural contours but not so much that you will have difficulty closing your eyelids. That’s where my thirty years + experience comes in.

Part of the upper eyelid puffiness is commonly due to a protrusion of orbital fat that passively spills forward. This fat has to be handled very gently because an overaggressive approach to removing too much upper eyelid fat will result in a gaunt “operated” appearance.

Often this fat is trimmed or shifted into areas where there is a loss of volume. Occasionally a tear producing gland called the lacrimal gland loses its attachment. This can cause a lateral upper eyelid bulge. As part of the blepharoplasty, this lacrimal gland is re-suspended back to where it belongs.

The lower eyelids pose a different set of cosmetic challenges. Commonly, there is again a protrusion of lower eyelid fat that may spill “down and out”. This is downward descent is especially prominent in the lower eyelids because like an apple falling from a tree, gravity plays a big role in the appearance of the lower lids.

The protrusion of fat is only part of the story.

The laxity of skin and sun damage that may be present precipitates a loss of elasticity. The skin doesn’t bounce back like it used to when you’re younger. Therefore besides trimming and repositioning lower lid fat, I tighten the skin. I do this with ‘tools in my tool- box’ namely lasers and skin peels. Sometimes the muscle layer beneath the skin and tendons are also stretched out.

They also require tightening. You can start to see the complexity of cosmetic eyelid surgery. The surgical plan is individualized. Each patient presents a unique set of issues.

Experience Counts in Eyelid Surgery

That is why experience counts! I have been performing and perfecting eyelid surgery for thirty two years. Therefore it is wise to consult a surgeon who takes into account all the fine details because all those little details can make the difference between a aesthetically pleasing and successful result and one that may be less than ideal.