Why Upper/Lower Eyelid Lifts are the Perfect Add-On

Why Upper/Lower Eyelid Lifts are the Perfect Add-On | RefinedMD

Why Upper/Lower Eyelid Lifts are the Perfect Add-On

Since when is plastic surgery an “add-on” treatment? Since it became SO easy and required only a week of recovery! At RefinedMD, double board-certified Dr. Sudeep Roy specializes in facial plastic surgery including facelifts, necklifts, and upper/lower eyelid lifts (also known as upper and lower blepharoplasty). Many patients understandably think that a facelift will address the lines, wrinkles, and bags around their eyes—but a facelift actually only tackles the lower half of the face (contrary to its name). If you want to vanquish sagging skin around the eyes and turn back the clock, a lower and/or upper eyelid lift is the way to go. Plus, it is a surprisingly quick procedure with a fast recovery period.

Blepharoplasty surgery typically takes 30 minutes or less, which means you can get both upper and lower eyelids treated in an hour. This procedure requires anesthesia, and with lower blephs most patients will require sutures either along the lashline or inside of the eyelids. The area around the eye is highly vascular, which is a great help when it comes to a speedy healing process. However, lower blepharoplasty also often requires visible sutures that “lift” the skin upward in order to attain optimal results. These sutures can be a bit annoying, but are removed within one week of surgery. So, if you’re thinking about a lower blepharoplasty, talk about what sutures will look like right after surgery so you can schedule your recovery appropriately.

Upper blepharoplasty calls for sutures that are hidden in the natural eyelid creases. For both of these procedures, swelling, redness, and bruising are common temporary side effects. Whether or not you feel comfortable going out in public during the initial recovery period is up to you—some clients do and some don’t. Sunglasses can be a great way to hide your recovery if you prefer discretion. It is also important to allow the eyes to rest, which means limiting screentime for about one week after the surgery. However, when entering your second-week post-op, a lot of patients feel comfortable getting back to most of their usual activities (Dr. Roy will let you know when you can resume exercise).

Why Eyelid Lifts?

The demand for eyelid lifts has always been high, but skyrocketed during the pandemic when the eyes were the only ways to gauge expression behind a mask. The past two years highlighted just how important the eyes are, and many times this is the first place we see signs of aging. The area around the eyes has thin, delicate skin that is always moving and exposed to UV damage. In other words, it’s no surprise that lines and wrinkles in this area are often what we see first! However, with blepharoplasty you can reverse sagging, bags, lines, and other signs of aging and sun damage.

Many clients benefit from both upper and lower blepharoplasty, but others might be better suited for “just” one type of eyelid lift. For those most concerned with bags and wrinkles under the eyes, bear in mind that hollowness is also a factor. We lose good fat in this area as we get older, so combining a lower blepharoplasty with eyelid fillers might be the best approach. Fillers are not permanent, but many last for a year or more. During your consultation with Dr. Roy, you can discuss a customized game plan just for you and your goals.

Results in Time for Summer

Thanks to the great blood flow in the area around the eyes, you’ll be able to see most of the full results after about two weeks. Some very minor swelling might still be present, so full results take about one month and full healing around six months. However, most patients are approved to go completely back to their life after 4 – 6 weeks. This means that if you schedule bleph surgery now, you’ll be able to show off your full results in time for the end of summer.

And if you’ve been thinking about a facelift and just now found out a facelift doesn’t address the eyes? You can always add blepharoplasty onto a facelift! This is a very common approach and will give you an overall refresher. Facelifts are fantastic if you “just” struggle with sagging and laxity in the lower half of the face, but it’s rare when that’s the case with no signs of sagging or aging around the eyes. However, the only way to know which surgery (or surgeries) is best for you is during a consultation. Contact RefinedMD’s Dr. Roy today to schedule your consult. Call the office or complete the online contact form for the fastest response.