Quick Facts
- Procedure: Outpatient
- Anesthesia: General or local anesthesia with sedation
- Duration of Procedure: About two hours
- Initial Recovery Phase: About one week
- Results: Apparent immediately, but continue to improve as post-op symptoms subside
Do other people constantly remark that you look depressed or exhausted even though you are a happy, well-rested person? If so, their mischaracterization could be due to the appearance of drooping eyelids, which often make a person seem concerned or tired. Thankfully, Dr. Sean Maguire offers individuals in Louisville eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, to provide a refreshed look throughout the eyes. To view Dr. Maguire’s patients’ tummy tuck results, visit our eyelid surgery gallery.
Why Does Eyelid Surgery Become Necessary?
Over time, the skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag. Muscle tone degenerates while fat is displaced. These developments often affect the eyes, leading to heavy, drooping upper eyelids and / or sagging, bulging lower eyelids.
If the upper eyelids sag enough, they can impede the line of sight. When lower eyelids droop, they can cause the look of dark under-eye “bags.” The overall effect is a tired, sad appearance throughout the eyes.
With blepharoplasty, Dr. Maguire can improve the look of sagging upper and / or lower eyelids. He can also create a distinct crease in the upper eyelids, a trait that individuals of certain ethnic backgrounds, such as those of Asian heritage, often lack.
What Happens During the Eyelid Surgery Procedure?
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient surgery, performed with either general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation. The duration of the operation is about two hours, depending on whether Dr. Maguire treats both sets of eyelids or just the upper or lower lids.
If Dr. Maguire is addressing both sets of eyelids, he starts with the upper ones. He places an incision in the natural fold of the upper eyelid, where it is least noticeable. He excises the surplus skin as well as any displaced fat. The surgeon then tightens the underlying tissues, as needed, before closing the incision with removable stitches.
The plastic surgeon treats the lower eyelids next, placing an incision either inside the lower eyelid or just beneath the lower lash line. He repeats the process, excising surplus skin and removing unwanted fat from the area before tightening the underlying tissues, if necessary. Dr. Maguire closes the incisions, using dissolvable stitches for incisions placed inside the lower eyelid or removable stitches for incisions placed underneath the lower eyelashes.
What Is the Blepharoplasty Recovery Period Like?
Following eyelid surgery, you should arrange to take one to two weeks off from work or your everyday routine. During this time, get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity. You can go for walks; just avoid activities that might make your eyes throb.
The treatment area might be swollen, bruised and tender, but these are normal symptoms that will improve over time. Taking oral pain medication as directed by Dr. Maguire and gently placing icepacks over your eyes will help relieve any discomfort.
Your symptoms should greatly improve within about one week, but you might want to wait two weeks to make sure that all visible signs of your procedure have resolved. In the meantime, you can cover up residual symptoms with makeup, but take care not to apply makeup directly on the incision sites.
Achieve a Happier, Well-Rested Look
Blepharoplasty can help you look happier and well rested overall. To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Maguire to learn more about eyelid surgery, contact Physician’s Center for Beauty.
