Face

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Houston

An eyelid lift, also called blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat and skin from the eyelids to refresh your appearance. The procedure can also enhance the shape of the upper lid, lower lid or both lids at the same time. Age and heredity can play a role in the shape and appearance of your eyelids, making you look tired or even obstructing your vision. Eyelid surgery can address both issues, giving you a clear line of sight and a more vibrant look.

Eyelid surgery offers the following benefits:

  • Removes excess fat and skin from the upper and lower eyelid
  • Raise sagging upper lids interfering with your line of vision
  • Reduce the appearance of deep tear troughs under your eyes
  • Reverse the “perpetually tired” look that often comes through age and gravity

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Eyelid Surgery Houston

Options in Eyelid Surgery
Dr. Rappaport uses a combination of approaches for lower eyelid lifts:

  • If results can be achieved by simply removing fatty tissue, an incision will be made inside the lower eyelid.
  • If both fatty tissue and excess skin need to be removed, a small incision is made close to the lower lashes that extends to a natural wrinkle line to hide the scar. From there, Dr. Rappaport can reduce, redistribute or add fat to produce the desired result.

Upper eyelid lifts involve an incision in the natural crease of the eye, which can also be used to remove vertical lines between the eyebrows known as “frown lines.”

How is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Dr. Rappaport will perform your blepharoplasty as an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day as your surgery. This procedure can be done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on your preference and whether you will have other procedures performed at the same time. Through small incisions made inside the eyelid, along the lash line or in the natural creases of the eye, Dr. Rappaport can remove excess skin and tissue, producing a smoother upper and lower lid.

What is the Recovery Like?
Recovery from eyelid surgery is often less uncomfortable and faster than patients expect. There will be some bruising and swelling after the surgery, but the need for pain medication is often minimal. Most patients feel ready to return to regular activities within two weeks, although some may still have residual signs of the surgery by then. Makeup will hide most discoloration by that time. Exercise is usually prohibited for up to three weeks to ensure the eyes have sufficient time to heal.

Dr. Rappaport Answers Questions about Eyelid Surgery

How can a lower eyelid lift correct ‘sad eyes’?
Surgery to correct ‘sad eyes’ may also involve a procedure called a canthopexy. I use this procedure to reposition and reinforce the tendons at the outer corner of the eye to support your lower eyelid. Although a canthopexy doesn’t require a separate incision, it leaves little room for error and demands a high level of surgical precision.

Will I also need a brow lift or other procedures?
The perceived shape of your eyes is sometimes associated with drooping or ptosis (pronounced TOE sis) of the eyelids and/or eyebrows. During your personal consultation, I will evaluate your eyes and explain the procedure or combination of procedures I recommend to give you the results you want. You might also want to consider a brow lift if you want to raise the position of your eyebrows or if your brows have descended over time.

Will an eyelid lift treat wrinkling, extra skin and puffiness under my eyes?
Eyelid skin wrinkling can be smoothed to some extent by eyelid lift surgery. A chemical peel or laser treatment can usually enhance this smoothing effect. An eyelid lift can correct puffiness by surgically removing or redistributing fat. This surgery can also get rid of extra skin and tighten the eyelids.

Can an eyelid lift also be combined with other facial procedures?
Yes. I often perform eyelid lifts in combination with face lifts and other facial plastic surgery procedures such as nose reshaping or chin enhancement.

What determines whether I’m a candidate for internal or external incisions?
A lot depends on your age. In younger patients, I can use an internal incision through the lower eyelid to approach the prominent fat. Older patients may need a more comprehensive approach to remove excess eyelid skin and tighten the area. Although I do this through an external incision, it is nicely hidden close to the eyelashes.

How soon after an eyelid lift can I wear my contacts?
Unless there are any complications, you can begin wearing your contacts again as early as two to three weeks after surgery. Dryness of the eyes can temporarily result from eyelid surgery and make wearing your contacts any sooner uncomfortable. Wetting agents may be needed when you resume contact use.

What results can I expect from an eyelid lift?
After eyelid surgery, you’ll look more youthful and refreshed—like you’ve just been away on vacation. No one will know your secret but you.

What can help improve the look of “hollow” upper eyelids?
I can help give your upper eyelids a more youthful appearance by injecting a hyaluronic acid facial filler such as JUVÉDERM® at the brow level. Other procedures such as fat grafting can also help you achieve the look you desire.”

Dr. Rappaport is an experienced plastic surgeon that has performed hundreds of eyelid surgeries through his Houston office. To learn more about this procedure, contact Houston Center for Plastic Surgery at 713-790-4500.

Houston Center For Plastic Surgery

6560 Fannin Street, #1812
Houston, Texas 77030

Phone: (713) 790-4500
Fax: (713) 793-1299
Email: info@hcps.cc