What Causes Aging of the Eyes?

Drooping upper eyelids, medically known as ptosis, can result from excessive skin and fat of the upper eyelids, muscle weakness, nerve damage, or normal facial aging. When the eyelids sag or droop due to aging, it causes heavy shadows over the eyes that make you look older than you are. 

However, there could be other factors. They can include sun damage, medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, or improper makeup use.

Under-eye bags are brownish, semicircular pouches that form under the eyes due to the protrusion of fatty tissues. They develop as a result of aging, poor sleep habits, and hereditary factors. Also, under-eye bags can become more visible when a person is tired or has not gotten enough sleep.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty, also known as cosmetic eyelid surgery, is a popular rejuvenation procedure. Tightening the eyelid skin brightens the eye area and improves the patient’s facial aesthetics. This is a common procedure for people who are experiencing early signs of aging.

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery 

There are many benefits of eyelid surgery, both physical and psychological. Patients will typically look younger, healthier, and happier, and of course, more awake after surgery. Blepharoplasty is also a fantastic confidence booster.

Most patients feel more comfortable socializing after surgery and may even feel younger. In patients with significant drooping upper eyelid skin, eyesight and quality of life can improve as well.

Changes in the skin might be inevitable, but eyelid surgery can be an effective method for tightening and rejuvenating the eye area.

Your Naples Blepharoplasty Consultation

During your consultation, our team will review all steps in the procedure with you. This includes the type of surgery needed, incision placement, goals, risks, alternatives, potential complications, eyelid surgery recovery tips, and recovery time.

You will then receive the eyelid surgery cost estimate and be able to view our patient before-and-after photos. We encourage you to review your options at an initial consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. A customized plan will be made for you as each individual has different aesthetic goals and health considerations.

Types of Eyelid Surgery

There are different types of techniques and approaches to blepharoplasty, depending on the patient’s needs. Here at Aesthetic Surgery Center, our surgical team can address the upper eyelids, the lower lids, or both if needed. We also offer non-surgical treatments. Although blepharoplasty can refer to surgery on either the upper or lower lids, the surgical process for each is quite different.

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty is necessary when the skin begins to sag and droop over the eyes. Sagging in the upper eyelids creates a hooded appearance and can even affect vision if the skin droops enough. The eyelids may also feel heavy due to excess fat and skin. 

During an upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon removes excess tissue and contours the upper lids to resolve any cosmetic or functional issues.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty corrects bulging pouches beneath the eyes, often known as “eye bags”. As the skin thins over time, the fat pads beneath the eyes begin to protrude, causing a person to look chronically tired and older than they might feel. 

Typically, the fat pads are repositioned, not removed altogether. This helps to prevent hollows under the eyes. 

Non-Surgical Eyelid Lift

A non-surgical eyelid lift usually refers to fat injections or laser resurfacing for wrinkle improvement, or a combination of both. Sometimes, Botox injections can be used to adjust eyebrow position, which in turn may alleviate upper eyelid heaviness.

Preparation

During your blepharoplasty consultation in Naples with the team at Aesthetic Surgery Center, our experts will cover all necessary preparation steps. 

We will provide you with a comprehensive list of medications (both prescription and non-prescription) and supplements that are known to increase bleeding and affect wound healing after surgery. These should be stopped about 14 days pre-operatively.

You will also need to contact someone to drive you home and help you with the initial recovery period following your eyelid surgery. If a supportive friend or family member is not available, home nursing can be arranged through our office.

The Blepharoplasty Procedure

We perform most procedures at our office’s accredited surgical center. We maintain an impeccable operating room and suite with complete attention to your safety. Some operations may be performed at an outside ambulatory surgical center, which will be determined when the procedure is scheduled.

For eyelid surgery, we typically use twilight sedation. While you are under this type of anesthesia, you will be able to breathe but won’t remember a thing afterward. It is an effective type of anesthesia that also wears off quickly. Because you will be breathing unassisted, an endotracheal tube is usually not used. For tolerant patients, local anesthesia may be used at the surgeon’s discretion.

Incisions are made with laser precision in the upper lids within the naturally-occurring folds of the eyes. The laser light seals small blood vessels, reducing bleeding during surgery and bruising postoperatively. Small sutures are placed in the creases and become unnoticeable within weeks.

Laser removal of lower eyelid bags requires no outside incisions or stitches. Incisions are made inside of the lower lids. Our surgeons reduce the chance of scarring while also restoring a natural shape to the eyes.

Our plastic surgeons use fine, delicate sutures to close all incisions. Some of these are dissolvable. We remove the remaining sutures about 6 or 7 days after surgery.

Recovery

It usually takes one to two weeks for most of the swelling and any bruising to resolve. This varies from individual to individual. 

Patients will be able to resume walking exercise about 3-4 days following their operation. You will be able to start running and weight training after about two weeks.

Returning to work depends on the type of job you have. Most patients can be back at work within 2 days following surgery, provided their occupation doesn’t involve heavy lifting.

Blepharoplasty Cost in Naples

Eyelid surgery costs vary on a case-to-case basis. It’s determined by what needs to be done and how extensive the surgery is. The average cost of an upper blepharoplasty is $2,000, while lower lid surgery costs $1,800 on average. Many patients choose to combine the procedures.

Why choose Aesthetic Surgery Center

Schedule Your Eyelid Lift in Naples

Experience and results matter. Be sure to look at potential surgeons’ before-and-after photos so you can get an idea of other successful procedures they have performed. Talk to prior patients and have a consultation with one of our experts.

The plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic Surgery Center and Skin Spa offer an innovative technique with minimal downtime in this delicate cosmetic procedure. Book your consultation today to address your questions and concerns regarding upper or lower eyelid surgery in Naples, FL.