Real patient questions about eyelid surgery
Will eyelid surgery change the shape of my eyes?
Neither upper nor lower eyelid surgery should change the shape of your eyes. After surgery, your eyes will appear more refreshed and youthful, similar to how they looked years ago. This means that they will appear more open, but they will be the same shape as before. Often, patients who lack an upper eyelid fold request a change to their upper eyelid shape, or they are interested in creating an almond shape to their eyes. If either of these are something you’re considering, please bring it up with Dr. Halaas during your consultation.
At what age should I get eyelid surgery?
Any age can be a good time for eyelid surgery. Some patients even complain about lower eyelid puffiness or extra upper eyelid skin during their teenage years. The eyes tend to be the first area where aging becomes apparent, and surgery to improve this is very common for patients in their 30s and 40s. Furthermore, since eyelid surgery achieves such a natural and refreshed appearance, it’s also an excellent choice for older patients who want a subtle rejuvenation without undergoing extensive surgery. A good rule of thumb for people who wear makeup is this: When your upper eyelid eyeliner starts rubbing off onto your upper lid and turning into eyeshadow, it might be good time to consider an upper blepharoplasty.
What are my options for improving crow’s feet if I’ve developed immunity or resistance to Botox?
Many times, a patient will respond to Botox® as long as it’s properly dosed. But beyond Botox, you can consider an injectable filler — for example, collagen or hyaluronic acid. Upper eyelid surgery may also be the answer. The heaviness of excess upper eyelid skin can make crow’s feet look even worse, but upper eyelid surgery can help improve your appearance by simply removing the excess skin.
One of my upper eyelids droops more than the other, so much so that my eyes look crooked. What can I do?
It’s possible to get upper blepharoplasty on just one eye to correct facial asymmetry. Although facial symmetry can often be successfully achieved, it’s important to understand that it’s impossible to achieve true perfection.
Can blepharoplasty help reduce the puffy bags and dark circles under my eyes?
Blepharoplasty can help reduce the puffiness and bags underneath your eyes, but it won’t help with the dark circles. Dark circles are caused by a variety of reasons, but the good news is that this condition can be remedied with an injectable filler such as Restylane®.
I just turned 50. My top eyelids are droopy, and I have dark bags under my eyes. Can eyelid surgery fix this?
Yes, you are a perfect candidate for blepharoplasty because this procedure surgically removes extra skin, muscle, and fat from both the upper and lower eyelids, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
One of my eyes is closed more than the other, and it makes my face look uneven. Can this be corrected?
Definitely. Blepharoplasty can open your eye slightly so the proportions of both eyes are more even. You’ll not only achieve a more uniform look, but a brighter and less tired appearance.
It’s been two months since my upper and lower eyelid surgery, and my scars are still pink and visible without makeup.
Scars can stay pink for about six months or longer as your eyes heal. Eventually you can rely on the scars to fade, becoming nearly invisible. The sun makes scars more noticeable, so it’s very important to wear sunblock and sunglasses as much as possible.
I had an upper eyelid lift one week ago, and I’m still having swelling periodically throughout the day and night — although the swelling is only on one side of my face.
This is common, and there’s no need for alarm. Swelling is most visible during the first week after surgery, and it will gradually subside in the next two weeks. Be sure to sleep with your head elevated and regularly use ice to prevent more swelling from occurring. It’s also very important to wear sunglasses when you go outside.
My eyelids droop so much that I can’t wear eye shadow, and they’re so puffy underneath that eyeliner just draws more attention to the bags. Can eyelid surgery help?
Yes. You are an ideal candidate for blepharoplasty. The symptoms you describe are common, and happen in most women with age. Blepharoplasty can open tired eyes and take away unwanted bags for a much more youthful appearance.