FAQ – Upper Blepharoplasty

1. Is there a minimum age for the procedure?

No one can be regarded as being too young for the surgery, although some people tend to need it much earlier than others. Some candidates for early blepharoplasty include those who suffer from vision problems, those who have a family trait of sagging eyelids or those that do not like the appearance of monolids.

However, most patients who have the procedure are usually 35 years and over.

2. Is it possible to have other procedures done at the same time as upper blepharoplasty?

Of course, it is possible to undertake non-surgical face lift, skin resurfacing and dermal fillers injections all on the same day and at the same time. The only drawback is that it will most definitely prolong the time it would take you to recover. The advantage, however, is that you will get to do many things all during one surgery.

3. Can I use creams to treat puffy eyes?

Regardless of how expensive or exclusive a cream may be, none has been able to address the issue of puffy eyes. Although there are hundreds of creams on the shelf with each of them claiming to be able to perform magic and make puffy eyes disappears, so far none has been able to address the underlying cause of puffy eyes.

As people age, muscles weaken, same as the muscles below the eyes. As these muscles weaken, fat pads which were initially hidden behind these muscles begin to push against these weakened muscles. Eyelid surgery is the only procedure that is known to be able to tackle puffy eyes, right from its underlying cause.

4. Eyelid lift or Botox brow lift; which should I get?

Surgery may not be necessary if the Botox brow lift is able to pull up any excess upper eyelid skin. For proper direction, it is advised you discuss the issue with your surgeon during consultation.

5. Will my wrinkles be handled by the procedure?

No, blepharoplasty cannot eliminate crow’s feet wrinkles nor can it be relied upon to handle the horizontal creases that come as a result of a sagging brow. Botox injections, Pulsed light treatment and Laser resurfacing are some of the popular and effective procedures that can handle such issues. These, however, can work in tandem with eyelid lift surgery.

6. How long does the procedure take?

There is no definite duration for the eyelid operation. It is a unique procedure that is dependent on patient’s anatomy and goals. But typically, it takes about 1 hour for the average upper blepharoplasty to be completed.

7. How long will the results last?

Upper eyelid surgery is known to last for a very long time, while the lower eyelids are hardly ever touched after the surgery. In cases where you decide to improve your upper eyelids surgically, please discuss your expectations with your doctor prior to surgery to make sure the results look natural. To prolong the results, it is important to make healthy lifestyle choices.

8. How safe is the procedure?

Eyelid surgery is very safe, particularly when it is handled by an experienced board certified surgeon. Just like for every surgery, there is always a risk involved, but complications with eyelid surgery are very rare. Dr. Sheffield uses local, rather than general anesthesia, for the upper eyelid procedure which will substantially reduce the risk.

9. Is the procedure painful?

The procedure has been described by many who have undergone it as painless. Of course, there will be a certain level tightness or burning around the eye, accompanied by a mild discomfort. But all of these will generally be present for a few days or. In situations where the pain becomes to great, pain relievers can be taken as prescribed.

10. Will the surgery cause bruising?

Due to the fragility and sensitivity of the skin around the eye, upper blepharoplasty bruising and swelling are common experiences that patients complain of. The extent of the upper blepharoplasty bruising and swelling is dependent on the individual, but it is quite possible to hide all these discolorations through the use of makeup.

11. Will the procedure leave a scar?

If the incisions were made on the upper eyelid, then it can be carefully hidden by the crease in the lid. If the incision is on the lower eyelid but via the inside layer of the eyelids, then there will be no scars at all.

12. How long after surgery before my eyelids look normal again?

Bruising and swelling should be expected to fade completely 6 weeks or more after the surgery. The redness on the upper lid caused by the incision will last much longer. Some of the side effects of the healing process such as bumps that form under the lip incision will resolve themselves after a few months.