Individual Results May Vary
At the York Plastic Surgery Centre we can often help patients gain a more youthful appearance around the eyes by treating facial wrinkles non-surgically, but sometimes surgery will provide a better result. For example, injectable products that relax facial muscles can reduce frown lines or crow’s feet, but they are not effective at treating loose skin on the upper eyelids. In fact, sometimes injecting these products in the upper facial area can actually make the eyes look more tired causing the eyebrows to sit lower over the eyelids, thus making the lid skin look redundant. In these cases, an upper eyelid lift may be a better option than facial injectables.
There are several considerations when deciding if upper eyelid surgery is a good option. The most important factor is your overall health, including your eye health. Dr. Andrade will ask about any ocular issues like cataracts, dry eyes, glaucoma or previous eye surgery to assess whether you would be a good candidate for this surgery. Your goals and unique facial features need to be considered. For some patients excess upper eyelid skin is their main concern, but others want a more comprehensive approach to treat the entire face at once. Our cosmetic coordinator can advise whether our clinic is the best option to treat your particular concerns.
The actual procedure to remove upper eyelid skin (blepharoplasty surgery) typically involves about 1.5-2 hours in the clinic, and can be performed awake with freezing (local anesthetic) injected into the skin. This includes the time for check-in, the procedure itself, then relaxing with cool compresses on the eyelids prior to being sent home. There is some discomfort for a few minutes while local anesthetic is carefully injected in the upper lids, then typically only minor pressure or tugging sensations are felt during the operation itself. Small tapes are placed on the incisions so there are no exposed wounds to manage after the procedure. Postoperative pain is typically minimal and managed with non-narcotic over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, but Dr. Andrade can provide a prescription for a few narcotic-bases pain medications as needed. We also provide some sterile saline and dressings, and eye drops in case the eyes feel scratchy or dry afterward.
We encourage people who are considering eyelid surgery to call the office and discuss their facial concerns. If we feel that we can meet the patient’s goals, we will arrange an appointment with Dr. Andrade.