Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Raleigh

Dr. Hudak on Blepharoplasty (Lid Lifts)

Blepharoplasty at All About Aesthetics

Eyelid Surgeries are an area that Dr. Hudak can claim expertise in, as she has had extensive training and experience in Oculoplastics (plastic surgery of the eyelids, eye socket, brows, and mid-face) under the tutelage of some of our countrys best eyelid surgeons, including:

• John Holds, MD (St. Louis, MO)
• Guy Massry, MD (Beverly Hills, CA)
• Robert Goldberg, MD (Los Angeles, CA)
• Henry Baylis, MD (Newport Beach, CA)

Her instructors of the mid-face surgeries include:

• Joe Niamtu, DMD (Midlothian, VA)
• Angelo Cuzalino, MD (Tulsa, OK)
• Drake Vincent, MD, DMD (Ogden, UT)

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is one of the most sought-after facial cosmetic surgeries. Eyes with redundant amounts of skin and/or bulging fat tend to make the person appear tired and old.

The skin of the eyelids is different than the skin elsewhere on the face. This intricate procedure requires a surgeon who understands the anatomy of the lids intimately in order to keep any complications to an absolute minimum.

Eyelid Surgery

Eyes are a prominent facial feature. It is the surrounding skin, rather than the eyes themselves, that conveys emotion. The tissue, muscle, fat, hair, and lashes all contribute to the wide array of expressions. Age, sun exposure, and hereditary factors all contribute to wrinkles, deep lines, and puffiness around the eyes.

The aging process can cause unwanted changes in expression, causing us to look permanently fatigued and older than we really are. These changes in appearance can cause emotional distress and sometimes even visual impairment.

An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is designed to restore a more youthful appearance to your eyes. It may involve the upper lids, the lower lids, or both.

New and Traditional Eyelid Surgery Techniques

Traditional Blepharoplasty: An incision is made in the crease of the upper lid toward the temples. Once healed, it is not noticeable when the eye is open. On the lower lid, the incision is made along the lash line toward the temples and is generally hidden by lashes when healed.

The Transconjunctival Approach: This is a newer technique for lid blepharoplasty, involving an incision inside the lower lid. Fat can be removed through this incision, but excess skin cannot be eliminated.

Laser resurfacing of the eyelids is a non-surgical alternative that may delay the need for a surgical blepharoplasty. It results in significant tightening of the skin around the eyes, but will not affect the fat around the eyes and may even accentuate it.

Please ask your doctor if you have any questions about which procedure is right for you.

The Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Local anesthesia is given around the eyes. An intravenous line is started so that sedation may also be given. During the procedure, you will be awake but comfortable and relaxed. General anesthesia is rarely used.

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis at our surgical center. It is important to arrange for care after the surgery. Someone must drive you home and be available to care for you for the first 24 hours.

Complications are unlikely when performed by a surgeon with experience in blepharoplasty. These include: bleeding and swelling, delayed wound healing, infection, drooping of eye upper or lower eyelid, asymmetry, double vision, and dry eyes.

Recovery after Eyelid Surgery: What to Expect

The area surrounding the eyes will remain swollen in the days following the surgery. It should begin to subside after the first day. Some vision blurring is normal.

The stitches will be removed in 4-5 days. Swelling and bruising will persist for about 10 days, but you can begin wearing makeup to help conceal these concerns.

You may expect to resume normal activity within a week to 10 days, and start enjoying your new look within approximately 10-14 days*. It may take about 6 months for the scars to lose their redness.

Wrinkling will recur later in life, but it is unlikely that the “bags” will recur because the fat has been removed. Deeper wrinkles around the outer eye extended onto the temple are not greatly affected by the eyelid lift. These areas may be treated with laser resurfacing.

Droopy/Heavy Upper Eyelid Treatments

Droopy/ Heavy upper eyelids may be due to several different causes, and are best corrected by addressing the root cause.

Depending on the root cause of the droopy lid(s), different options may be recommended. They include observation, Botox/Xeomin injections, eye-drops, laser procedures, eye-creams, and surgery.

• Botox or Xeomin can stop spasming orbicularis oculi muscles (that close the lids) and help lift the inner brow.
• Prescription medication can occasionally help reduce the ptosis of a patient with Myasthenia Gravis, or the pseudo-ptosis of a patient with thyroid disease/ thyroid-associated-orbitopathy.
• Eye-drops that lubricate can help the patient who has blepharospasm from dry eyes.
• Laser skin tightening of the lids can reduce mildly redundant dermatochalasis.
• Eye-creams the physician can suggest will help replenish elastin, collagen, and moisture to the skin.

Blepharoplasty Before and After Photos

Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty

Upper Blepharoplasty

*Downtime and results will vary for different patients.