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Do You Need To Get Your Lower and Upper Eyelids Fixed With a Blepharoplasty?8 min read

Picture of Caroline Hedges

Caroline Hedges

Caroline Hedges is a critically acclaimed researcher, writer and serial entrepreneur. With a knack for making the obscure plain, she is able to distill her research in writing both fun and engaging posts.
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Sarah is a fabulous gal ready to turn back the clock and refresh her look with a little help from a blepharoplasty. After researching and weighing her options, she’s decided that Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Phillip Chang from Aesthetica is just the person to help her say goodbye to those droopy lids and under-eye bags that have been cramping her style. 

With Dr. Chang’s expertise and a little post-op TLC, Sarah’s about to embark on a journey with her eyes looking as bright and youthful as she feels on the inside. Let’s join her as she discovers the ins and outs of blepharoplasty and gets ready to unveil her fresh, new look!

What Is a Blepharoplasty and How Does It Work?

Blepharoplasty, sometimes called an eyelid lift or eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that can help freshen up the appearance of your peepers. It’s all about removing excess skin, fat, and sometimes even muscle from the upper and/or lower eyelids to give you a youthful, well-rested look.

Here’s the deal: as we age, our skin loses its elasticity, and gravity starts to do its thing. This process causes the skin around our eyes to sag, leading to droopy lids or puffy eye bags. Not the best look, right? So, blepharoplasty comes to the rescue by removing or repositioning that extra stuff, giving your eyes a little pick-me-up.

The surgery itself is usually performed under local anesthesia. After the procedure, you’ll probably have some swelling and bruising for a bit, but that should go down in a couple of weeks, revealing your refreshed eyes to the world!

Benefits and Risks of Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery

Alright, let’s chat about the benefits and risks of upper and lower eyelid surgery! On the plus side, getting an eyelid lift can really help rejuvenate the area around your eyes. The procedure improves saggy or droopy upper eyelids and gets rid of those pesky under-eye bags that make you look tired all the time. Overall, it will give your face a more youthful and refreshed appearance!

But, like with any surgery, there are side effects, such as swelling, bruising, and discomfort. So, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons and chat with a qualified plastic surgeon to see if eyelid surgery is the right move for you. They’ll give you the lowdown on what to expect and help you make an informed decision.

What To Expect During a Blepharoplasty Procedure

First things first, you’ll have a chat with Dr. Chang and his expert team to discuss your goals and any concerns you might have. They’ll also review your medical history to ensure you’re a good candidate for the surgery.

On the big day, you’ll be given local anesthesia. Once you’re all comfy and numb, Dr. Chang will make incisions following the natural lines and creases of your eyelids. He’ll typically remove or reposition excess skin, fat, and sometimes muscle for the upper eyelids to give you a more refreshed look. For the lower eyelids, he might remove fat and skin or reposition the fat to reduce under-eye bags.

After working his magic, Dr. Chang will close the incisions with absorbable sutures. The procedure usually takes about one to three hours, depending on whether you’re getting both upper and lower eyelids done.

Once it’s all over, you’ll be taken to a recovery area to chill out for a bit before you head home. Remember, you’ll need someone to drive you, so make sure you have a buddy on standby!

Remember that every procedure can be a bit different, so go into detail with Dr. Chang about the specifics of your blepharoplasty to know precisely what to expect.

How To Decide If You Need Upper or Lower Eyelid Surgery

Upper eyelid surgery is particularly designed for patients with droopy, saggy lids that might affect their vision or make them look tired or older. Lower eyelid surgery, on the other hand, is for patients with puffy bags under their eyes that they want to say bye-bye to.

Now, to decide which one is right for you, or if you need both, it’s a good idea to start by taking a close look in the mirror. Do your upper lids seem to hide your eyes, or are your lower lids giving you that permanently tired look? It’s also helpful to consider how these issues might affect your daily life, like if saggy lids are messing with your vision or if those bags are making you self-conscious.

Once you’ve got a better idea of what’s troubling your look, the next step is to chat with a qualified plastic surgeon. They’ll be able to assess your specific concerns, discuss your goals, and help you decide which procedure is proper for you.

What Results Can You Expect After a Blepharoplasty?

After you’ve gone through the whole healing process — which might take a few weeks — you should start seeing some pretty awesome changes around your eyes! The saggy, droopy skin on your upper lids will be reduced, making your eyes look more open and refreshed. If you’ve had lower eyelid surgery, those annoying under-eye bags should be less noticeable, giving you that youthful appearance you’ve been aiming for!

But keep in mind that it might take a little time to see the full results. You’ll probably have some swelling and bruising for a week or two after the surgery, so don’t freak out if you don’t see a significant change right away. Give your body some time to heal!

Also, it’s important to remember that while blepharoplasty will improve your appearance, it won’t stop the aging process. You might still see some changes around your eyes as you get older, but hey, that’s just life! The good news is the results of eyelid surgery are typically long-lasting, so you should be able to enjoy your refreshed look for quite a while!

How To Take Care of Your Eyes After a Blepharoplasty

Dr. Chang will give you specific instructions after the surgery, but here are some general pointers to help you along the way.

First off, get ready to take it easy for a while. You’ll need to rest and avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous activities for at least a week or two. Ensure you have a comfy spot to relax and catch up on your favorite shows!

When it comes to managing swelling and bruising, you can use cold compresses or ice packs on your eyes for the first couple of days. Just make sure to wrap them in a clean cloth so they don’t get too cold on your skin. Also, keeping your head elevated while you sleep can help reduce swelling.

You’ll want to keep your eyes clean and follow Dr. Chang’s instructions for applying any ointments or eye drops they recommend. This is super important to help prevent infection and keep your eyes comfy!

Avoid wearing contact lenses or eye makeup for a couple of weeks, and protect your eyes from the sun with sunglasses when you’re outside. You don’t want any unnecessary irritation while you’re healing up!

And lastly, make sure you follow up with Dr. Chang as scheduled. He’ll want to check on your progress and make sure everything is healing as it should be.

Remember, these are just some general guidelines, and Dr. Chang will give you specific instructions tailored to your needs. Don’t hesitate to contact him with any concerns or questions during your recovery. Here’s to a speedy recovery!

Transform Your Look: Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Chang Today!

Ready for the ultimate eyelid lift experience? Meet us at 19500 Sandridge Way, Suite 350, Leesburg, VA 20176, or call us at (703) 574-4342 for a complimentary consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Phillip Chang before moving forward with your procedure! If everything matches up, our team will help you navigate the entire process from beginning to end! Also, remember to check out our blog and social media for more information on plastic surgery and plastic surgery trends!

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